- Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 508 - Jim McCarthyEpisode 508 - Jim McCarthy Pete's Percussion Podcast
Saskatchewan-based instrument designer, builder, tuner, and band arranger Jim McCarthy stops by to talk about all of his current work, along with the mallet bar retuning process (03:45), his Canadian Percussion Network conference presentations on his contrabass marimba and vibraphone motor manipulation (18:20), growing up in Adelaide (AUS), his interest in many musical genres and beginning on drumset, and the sports, music education, and weather scene in southern Australia (50:05), his time in undergrad at the University of Adelaide (01:10:00), his post-undergrad years freelancing, performing, arranging, and teaching, along with commentary about his volleyball career (01:23:30), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on marimba design, Australian accents, personal health, movie comedies, great books, and traveling around the world (01:39:40).
Finishing with a Rave on the classic novel Vanity Fair (02:15:00).
Jim McCarthy links:
Jim’s “Vibes Motor Unlimited” page
Jim McCarthy’s bio at the Make a Marimba webpage
Stick Technique - Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy’s Percussion Clinic page
Previous Podcast guests mentioned:
Other Links:
James Bailey PAS Hall of Fame page
Australian Contemporary Percussion - Louise Devenish
Monty Python and the Holy Grail trailer
The Man Who Captured Eichmann trailer
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series - Douglas Adams
Last Chance to See - Douglas Adams
The Many-Colored Land - Julian May
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert Pirsig
Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach
Raves:
20 August 2026, 11:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 507 - Leonardo SotoEpisode 507 - Leonardo Soto Pete's Percussion Podcast
Principal Timpanist for the Houston Symphony (TX) Leonardo Soto stops by to talk about his main gig, teaching at the University of Miami (FL), working at summer festivals, secrets of auditioning, and maintaining a busy schedule (03:35), his previous orchestral jobs at the Detroit Opera (MI) and Charlotte Symphony (NC) and his experiences on the audition circuit later in his career (33:45), growing up in Chile, his father the drummer and pop musician, the legacy of Chilean orchestral percussionists, studying percussion in Chile, and the challenges of equipment and music resources in the country (45:20), his master’s degree work at Carnegie-Mellon University (PA), studying with Tim Adams and (later) Tom Freer, early audition experiences, and learning English through Seinfeld and the Rush Hour movies (01:04:05), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on student learning styles, his sporting activities and doing cardio, playing athletic timpani music, Rafa Nadal, Chilean soccer, cooking mishaps, great books, and seeing the artwork in The Vatican (01:27:20).
Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 documentary Cookie Queens (02:04:55).
Leonardo Soto links:
Leonardo Soto’s Houston Symphony page
Leonardo Soto’s University of Miami page
Timpani Concerto - Andy Akiho (Leonardo Soto, soloist)
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:
Other Links:
The All-American Drummer: 150 Rudimental Solos - Charley Wilcoxin
Etudes for Timpani - Richard Hochrainer
The Inner Game of Music - Barry Green
The Undefeated Mind - Alex Lickerman
Raves:
13 August 2026, 11:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 506 - Reed PuleoEpisode 506 - Reed Puleo Pete's Percussion Podcast
Denver-based percussionist and educator Reed Puleo stops by to talk about establishing himself in the Denver area and his Fulbright Award to study and work in Austria (02:20), growing up in New Jersey, family members in the arts, his early start in percussion ensemble and percussion performance, and his marching band experiences (34:25), attending Boston Conservatory (MA) for undergrad (47:35), living and studying in Amsterdam after undergrad, the challenges of being there at the time, and heading to the University of Michigan to complete his masters during and after the COVID epidemic (01:02:00), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on developing young percussionists, maintaining his physical and mental health, cooking, great movies, New Jersey foods, and Curb Your Enthusiasm (01:17:35).
Finishing with a Rave on the 2023 documentary Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection (01:44:40).
Reed Puleo Links:
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:
Other Links:
“Three Brothers” - Michael Colgrass
“Ostinato Pianissimo” - Henry Cowell
“Variations on a Ghanaian Theme - Dan Levitan
From My Little Island - Robert Aldridge
American Songbook II - George Crumb
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
“Mr. Brightside” - The Killers
Raves:
6 August 2026, 11:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 505 - Luke HelkerEpisode 505 - Luke Helker Pete's Percussion Podcast
Fort Hays State (KS) Director of Percussion Studies Luke Helker stops by to talk about the FHSU job and about recruiting to a small regional college (02:45), his recent presentation at the Canadian Percussion Network’s annual conference and its beginnings (17:05), growing up in Pennsylvania, his vast array of musical influences and experiences, getting to travel with family, and his years of undergrad at Millersville University (PA) studying percussion and audio production (25:50), his grad school years at the University of Kansas, his time as a wedding DJ, studying under Mike Compitello and Sam Um, and his early teaching experiences (49:10), and then Luke settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on marching vs. concert percussion, great and terrible movies, John Steinbeck, metal music, Philly sports, and the artist Alphonse Mucha (01:11:30).
Finishing with a Rave on the book and movie versions of The Odyssey (01:48:05).
Luke Helker Links:
Luke Helker’s Fort Hays State website
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:
Other Links:
“The Ice is Talking” - Vivian Fung
“Allegro ma non troppo” - Unsuk Chin
Stick Control - George L. Stone
Toccata for Percussion Instruments - Carlos Chavez
Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture - PI Tchaikovsky
Symphony No. 2 - Jean Sibelius
“I Loved Her First” - Heartland
“Celebration” - Kool and the Gang
“Turn Down for What” - DJ Snake and Lil Jon
Reflections on the Nature of Water - Jacob Druckman
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift trailer
The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck
Eagles vs. Patriots Super Bowl LII
“Friends in Low Places” - Garth Brooks
Alphonse Mucha - Nelson Atkins Museum
Raves:
30 July 2026, 11:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 504 - Kathy ArmstrongEpisode 504 - Kathy Armstrong Pete's Percussion Podcast
Carleton University (ON) Ethnomusicologist and Director of Fine Arts Kathy Armstrong stops by to talk about her job, teaching West African drumming and dance, Baobab, and traveling and learning in Ghana for many years (03:30), her recent Canadian Percussion Network Conference presentation and the importance of Global Percussion Studies in standard Western Percussion tradition (21:45), growing up in the Scarborough area of Toronto, her early musical influences (including Soul and Funk music), her wonderful public school music background, the idea of “rhythmic tapestry”, and her experiences in the Girl Guides of Canada (36:10), attending the University of Toronto, studying with members of NEXUS, her post-undergrad experience and branching out into an entrepreneurship mindset (57:15), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments working in world percussion, the importance of maintaining physical and mental health, baking, sports, and great movies and poetry (01:18:00).
Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 FIFA World Cup (01:45:05).
Kathy Armstrong links:
Kathy Armstrong’s Carleton University page
Previous Podcast Guests Mentioned:
Other Links:
Breakfast in America - Supertramp
Earth, Wind & Fire documentary
“Come Talk to Me” - Peter Gabriel
“English Folk Song Suite” - Ralph Vaughan Williams
Fall On Your Knees - Ann-Marie MacDonald
The Professional Women’s Hockey League
Raves:
23 July 2026, 11:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 503 - Daniel NoonanEpisode 503 - Daniel Noonan Pete's Percussion Podcast
Recent Mizzou Masters of Music degree graduate in Percussion Performance Daniel Noonan stops by to talk about his degree recital and his interest in avant-garde music (04:00), his assistantship with the New Music Ensemble, working with new composers, and international travel (18:30), his experiences playing in various ensembles, the Odyssey Chamber Music Series in Columbia, and some of the other Mizzou Graduate Percussionists Daniel worked with (34:25), growing up in Morganton (NC), the issues of access to quality instruction in rural areas, his marching band experiences, and English class and his favorite books from the time (48:45), attending Western Carolina University for undergrad, Cullowee (NC), and studying under Dr. Adam Groh (01:02:00), getting to Mizzou and studying with Dr. Megan Arns (01:18:15), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on early percussion education, cooking gumbo, The Hitchhiker’s Guide book series, Ireland, and the great foods of North Carolina (01:28:10).
Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film Disclosure Day (01:55:30).
Daniel Noonan Link:
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:
Other Links:
“Song for Low Tree” - Matthew Burtner
“She Who Sleeps with a Small Blanket” - Kevin Volans
So Percussion Summer Institute
“Millenium Canticles” - Missy Mazzoli
The Pieces that Fall to Earth - Christopher Cerrone
“White Pines” - Michael Burritt
“Third Construction” - John Cage
“Canticle No. 3” - Lou Harrison
“to wALk Or ruN in wEst harlem” - Andy Akiho
“meditation for metal pipes” - Emma O’Halloran
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Monty Python’s Flying Circus opening credits
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Raves:
16 July 2026, 11:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 502 - Greg HerronEpisode 502 - Greg Herron Pete's Percussion Podcast
Maryland-based freelance percussionist and educator Greg Herron stops by to talk about his new job as McDonogh School Upper School Band Director and Music Technology teacher, along with his private percussion teaching practice (02:25), his start to freelancing, and his career and life in Boston, Mexico, studying in Cuba, and heading back to Baltimore (11:50), growing up in many locations in the U.S., his active musical background, studying at the University of Miami (FL) and Boston Conservatory (MA), the many teachers who influenced him, and the importance of networking for freelancing gigs (41:50), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on instrument rentals, working with administration, and taking care of his physical and mental health (01:24:05).
Finishing with a Rave on the 2018 book Atomic Habits (01:38:25).
Greg Herron links:
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:
Other Links:
Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer - Jim Chapin
Raves:
9 July 2026, 11:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 501 - Michael JonesEpisode 501 - Michael Jones Pete's Percussion Podcast
New York-based Percussionist, Recording Artist, Researcher and Educator Michael Jones stops by to talk about his current teaching job at Bard College (NY) and his work throughout the school (04:40), how his graduate studies at UC-San Diego influenced his solo CD projects (17:30), his philosophical research on ontology and percussion instrument ideology and modernity, and questions about what “total percussion” means today (30:30), growing up in Connecticut, his progressive metal music background, high school band, and his involvement in the Live Action Role-Playing community (58:25), his undergrad years at the Hartt School of Music (CT) and studying under Ben Toth and many of the other faculty there (01:12:45), more about his graduate work at UCSD, studying under Steven Schick, and many of his UCSD student colleagues (01:25:35), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on the impact of YouTube on young musicians, discussions of mental health, metal music, great books, and the San Diego Superbloom (01:39:40).
Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 documentary Earth, Wind & Fire (02:08:20).
Michael Jones Links:
Michael Jones’ Bard College page
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:
Other Links:
The Percussionist’s Art - Steven Schick
Unsound Supplies - Fanny Gribenski (editor)
Writing the Implosion - Joseph Dumit
From Me Flows What You Call Time - Toru Takemitsu
“Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” - Lukas Foss
“Bone Alphabet” - Brian Ferneyhough
“Persephassa” - Iannis Xenakis
Zen and the Art of Archery - Eugene Herrigel
Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer
Rakesfall - Vajra Chandrasekera
Swann’s Way - Marcel Proust (Lydia Davis translation)
Raves:
2 July 2026, 11:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: EPISODE 500!!! - The Return of Megan ArnsEpisode 500 - Megan Arns (2026) Pete's Percussion Podcast
It’s Episode 500, and the 10-year Anniversary of Pete’s Percussion Podcast! After Pete talks about the early days of the show (01:45), he welcomes back his Mizzou colleague, member of the Percussive Arts Society Board of Directors, Percussionist, Educator and Administrator Megan Arns back to the show for the first time in 8 years! Megan talks about her early years in percussion and her experiences and jobs prior to taking the Percussion Director Position at Mizzou in 2014 (12:00), her 12 years so far at Mizzou, what’s she’s learned, her administrative role, the job market and the challenges for future percussion teachers (17:30), working with grad students these days and her own experiences as a grad student (36:30), why she’s involved in PAS Leadership now, having a family and the challenges and opportunities of continuing to keep a professional career (44:00), her work with the Switch~ Ensemble (01:03:30), when her mentor Michael Burritt came to visit Mizzou in the spring (01:11:00), and a brief Random Ass Questions segment including managing her own physical and mental health, her knowledge of children’s media, new and upcoming travels, her father the college professor, “full send”, and some kudos to Pete for the podcast (01:21:35).
Finishing with the Raves, including some FAQs about the podcast and Pete’s heartfelt thanks to the guests and the fans of the show (01:38:00).
Megan Arns Links:
Previous Megan Arns’s podcast appearances:
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned in this episode:
Other Links:
Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum Corps
18 June 2026, 9:00 pm - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 499 - Matthew HinkleEpisode 499 - Matthew Hinkle Pete's Percussion Podcast No File
Recent Master of Music in Percussion Performance graduate from the University of Missouri Matthew Hinkle stops by to talk about his Master’s degree recital program (03:35), his graduate assistantship duties in percussion and recording services (11:10), his interactions with the Mizzou faculty, his enjoyment of the grad cohort there, and his future in percussion (29:00), growing up in the St. Louis area, getting into percussion, and his years in DCI and WGI (44:40), his time attending community college while prepping for DCI auditions as well as getting starting working with high school drumlines (01:00:45), his undergrad years at Lindenwood University (MO) (01:07:15), his path to getting to Mizzou and more about his time as a percussion student (01:16:10), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on WGI and DCI and how they supplement the undergrad percussion student, the bad movie Anaconda, cooking, great books, classic video games, and the music of Richard Strauss (01:27:20).
Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film I Love Boosters (01:54:40).
Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:
Other Links:
Great Plains International Marimba Competition
“Caleidoscopio” - Gene Kosinski
“The Anvil Chorus” - David Lang
“Khan Variations” - Alejandro Viñao
“White Pines” - Michael Burritt
The Percussionist’s Art - Steven Schick
Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
Ein Heidenleben - Richard Strauss
Raves:
11 June 2026, 7:00 am - Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 498 - Sam QuinonesEpisode 498 - Sam Quinones Pete's Percussion Podcast
Following Pete’s thoughts about his experiences at the Canadian Percussion Network’s “The Space Between V” conference, Author and journalist Sam Quinones (The Perfect Tuba) stops by to talk about Sam’s career in journalism, growing up in California, crime reporting, and writing about tuba players and band directors (06:05), his relationship with music, his love of various genres and styles, and his background in punk rock (16:20), his first jobs in writing and building his writing skill set, talking to interesting people, and some of his favorite writers (25:00), his early research on the book, Tuba Fats, and Robert Caro (36:05), the connections between addiction and fulfillment through hard work in music, along with the needs of bands directors to become advocates for their work (41:50), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, with segments on the challenges for young journalists today, The Godfather films, and great music from The Rolling Stones, Sun Ra, and Emmylou Harris (01:05:45).
Finishing with a Rave on the Sam Quinones book The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work (01:20:10).
Sam Quinones Links:
The Perfect Tuba - Sam Quinones
Other Links:
June 17, 1994 trailer (The OJ Simpson chase)
“Stand By Your Man” - Tammy Wynette
“La Puerta Negra” - Los Tigres Del Norte
“What’s Your Name” - Lynyrd Skynyrd
“California Uber Alles” - Dead Kennedys
The Corpse Had a Familiar Face - Edna Buchanan
On Writing Well - William Zinsser
Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro
“Me and Billy the Kid” - Joe Ely
Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town - Emmylou Harris
Raves:
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