A DRUMMING WITH JARVIS ORIGINAL
The people and process behind every performance.
Honest, long-form conversations with the musicians, directors, engineers, creators, and production professionals who build the moments audiences remember.
MUSIC · TOURING · PRODUCTION · CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
Hosted by Jarvis ‘Jeb’ Barnes
Professional Musician · Playback Engineer · Music Director
LATEST CONVERSATION · EPISODE 18
Payge Cooper
DRUMMING · TOURING + CAREER
The Rules Nobody Teaches.
In Episode 18 of Off Script, Jarvis ‘Jeb’ Barnes sits down with Grammy-nominated producer, drummer, musical director, and creative Payge Cooper, better known as TurnThePAYGE.
From leaving Atlanta and rebuilding his career in Los Angeles to touring with SZA and working alongside artists including Brandy, Eric Benét, Musiq Soulchild, Nipsey Hussle, and more, Payge’s journey is a lesson in preparation, patience, identity, and professional growth.
Also available through the Off Script YouTube Page and Apple Podcasts.
EXPLORE OFF SCRIPT
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Ep. 16 | Steve Muncaster: How to Become a World Touring Drum Tech
Steve Muncaster reveals how professional drum techs prepare, tune drums, manage backline, support touring artists, solve problems under pressure, and build lasting careers through trust, relationships, and professionalism.
How Dre DiMura Turned Rejection Into 100M+ Views | Ep. 15
Dre breaks down his transition from professional guitarist to full-time content creator, how TikTok changed his career, and what musicians need to understand about creating content people actually want to watch.
What does it really take to build a lasting career as a professional touring musician?
In Episode 14 of Off Script with Jarvis, professional drummer, producer, and musical director Joshua “Josh” Foster shares the preparation, versatility, mentorship, and mindset required to succeed in the music industry.
With experience performing alongside artists such as Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Tyler Perry, Chantae Cann, and Reneé Rapp, Josh offers an honest look at what it takes to stay ready for major opportunities. This conversation goes far beyond drumming. Josh opens up about returning home after touring and learning to separate his identity and personal worth from his career. He explains why endorsements should be viewed as genuine partnerships, how musicians can become more valuable through versatility, and why talent without the right mentality can limit career growth.
Jarvis and Josh also discuss the power of mentorship, learning from respected OGs, receiving constructive feedback, and actually applying the guidance you are given. Josh breaks down his approach to preparation, gear and workflow readiness, immersive listening, visualization, rehearsals, and understanding the full musical picture before stepping onstage. The episode also explores working with musical directors, adapting to different leadership styles, navigating industry gatekeepers, protecting your professional reputation, establishing fair pay standards, and creating opportunities beyond one instrument or job title.
Whether you are an aspiring drummer, touring musician, musical director, producer, independent artist, or creative professional, this episode offers practical insight into building a respected and sustainable music career.
Session and touring guitarist Chris Payton joins Jarvis to discuss balancing music and family, building lasting relationships, adapting to any musical environment, and preparing for the pressure of playing guitar for Bruno Mars.
What does it take to perform at the highest level while protecting the relationships and responsibilities that matter most?
In Episode 13 of Off Script with Jarvis, session and touring guitarist Chris Payton shares the preparation, adaptability, character, and discipline required to build a sustainable career in the music industry.
Chris opens up about balancing life as a full-time musician with family, the support system behind his career, and the influence his upbringing has had on the musician and person he has become. He also explores how genuine relationships create trust, chemistry, and stronger musical collaboration.
Jarvis and Chris discuss what separates talented musicians from dependable working professionals. Beyond musical ability, lasting success requires preparation, self-awareness, a positive attitude, and the ability to serve each artist and song without losing your own musical identity.
Chris also takes listeners inside his transition into playing guitar for Bruno Mars, one of the most demanding live performance opportunities in the industry. He reveals the pressure, discipline, preparation, and physical and mental endurance required to perform consistently at an elite level.
This episode is essential listening for guitarists, touring musicians, session players, and anyone working toward a successful and sustainable career in music.
Topics include:
• Balancing a professional music career with family
• Building meaningful relationships in the music industry
• Adapting your playing for different artists and genres
• Why preparation and personality matter as much as talent
• Serving the song without losing your musical identity
• Preparing to play guitar for Bruno Mars
• Managing the pressure of elite live performance
• Developing the endurance required for major touring opportunities
Teddy Swims drummer DeAndre Hemby joins Jarvis to discuss preparation, pocket, teamwork, and why dependability, humility, and character are essential for building a lasting career as a professional musician.
Talent may get you into the room, but what makes people trust you enough to call you back?
In Episode 12 of Off Script with Jarvis, professional touring musician and Teddy Swims drummer DeAndre Hemby reveals what it takes to build a successful and sustainable career in the live music industry.
From performing at Coachella and preparing for major tours to navigating ego, social media, endorsements, and professional relationships, DeAndre shares the work that happens long before a musician steps onstage. He explains why true preparation requires more than memorizing songs. Musicians must understand the artist’s vision, learn the musical language of the show, remain flexible, and be ready to adjust while protecting the intention of the music.
Jarvis and DeAndre also break down pocket, musical vocabulary, dynamics, and the power of space. They explore how great musicians balance creative expression with discipline, knowing when to contribute and when the most musical choice is not to play.
Beyond musicianship, DeAndre explains why dependability, trust, humility, respect, self-awareness, and a strong work ethic are essential for career longevity. Talent can create an opportunity, but character and the ability to serve the entire team often determine whether that opportunity leads to another call.
This episode is essential for drummers, touring musicians, music directors, producers, artists, and anyone who wants to understand the professional mindset behind elite live performance.
Topics include:
• Preparing for festivals, major tours, and Coachella
• Understanding pocket, dynamics, vocabulary, and space
• Balancing musical freedom with discipline
• Why dependability and trust matter as much as talent
• Serving the artist’s vision with humility
• Navigating ego and professional relationships
• The reality of touring beyond social media
• Building strong relationships through respect and consistency
• Endorsements, career opportunities, and team advocacy
• Creating a sustainable career in the music industry
Professional drummer Chaun Horton shares how rejection, mentorship, preparation, and musical maturity shaped his journey from Sweden to Los Angeles and a career working with artists like Macy Gray.
In this episode of Off Script with Jarvis, professional drummer Chaun Horton shares the experiences, relationships, musical influences, and personal lessons that helped shape his career.
Chaun reflects on moving to Sweden with his family, adapting to new cultures, relocating to Nashville, and eventually building a life and career in Los Angeles. He explains how rejection, persistence, and an unexpected full scholarship to the Los Angeles Music Academy changed the direction of his journey.
The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, networking, jam sessions, preparation, and being ready when opportunity arrives. Chaun also discusses his early professional experiences, including working with Macy Gray, and the musical challenges that pushed him to develop greater feel, restraint, confidence, and depth as a drummer.
Jarvis and Chaun break down what it truly means to learn a song, understand your role, and serve the music without overplaying. They discuss gospel, jazz, fusion, groove, influential drummers, musical maturity, and the difference between simply playing the correct notes and understanding the emotional purpose of a song.
Beyond musicianship, Chaun offers an honest perspective on the realities of building a sustainable career in the music industry. He shares lessons about trust, integrity, insecurity, gossip, health, preparation, authenticity, and the character required to succeed professionally without losing yourself personally.
This episode is for drummers, musicians, artists, producers, and creatives who want to strengthen their musicianship, navigate the music business, and build a meaningful, lasting career.
Touring Drummer
A conversation about preparation, relationships, consistency, and building a path toward professional drumming.
Playback Engineer · Producer
A practical conversation about playback engineering, production, preparation, and earning trust on major stages.
Tiffany Watson Special Effects · Live Production
A behind-the-scenes look at pyrotechnics, special effects, safety, preparation, and the pressure of live production.
Arnetta Johnson Trumpeter · Artist
A conversation about Berklee, artistry, entrepreneurship, and building a professional career on your own terms.


Ep. 17 Brian Frasier-Moore: Why He’s Music’s First-Call Drummer
Brian Frasier-Moore is one of music’s most trusted first-call drummers, with a career spanning Justin Timberlake, Madonna, P!NK, Janet Jackson, Usher, Eros Ramazzotti, the BET Awards, the Grammys, multiple Super Bowl halftime performances and more.