In this episode, we sit down with Joel Plotnik, the longtime drummer for Phil Wickham. Joel shares his incredible journey from the early days of youth group to playing on the biggest worship stages in the world. We dive deep into the realities of being a "hired gun" in Los Angeles, why he decided to pursue a career in software engineering while still touring, and how to maintain a heart of humility when the spotlight is on you.🕒 TIMESTAMPS
02:15 – The 20-Year Journey: How Joel got started with Phil Wickham (and the brother-in-law connection).
12:40 – The LA "Hired Gun" Life: Touring with secular acts, the Disney gig, and facing industry burnout.
24:55 – The Great Pivot: Why Joel went back to school for 5 years to become a Software Engineer.
36:20 – Musical Influences: Why worship drummers need to listen to music outside of the church.
45:10 – Staying Grounded: Navigating ego, humility, and the importance of the local church volunteer.
💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Excellence is a Tool: Joel explains how technical preparation allows you to be spiritually "present" during a set.
Diverse Listening: To find your "voice" as a drummer, Joel recommends studying players like John Bonham and bands like Death Cab for Cutie.
Sustainability: How to balance a 9-to-5 corporate career with a high-level touring schedule.
The Local Church: Encouragement for the volunteer drummer—your role is just as vital as those on the big stage.
Some of the links are affiliate links. Affiliate links mean I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support my channel at no additional cost to you. #worshipdrummer #HeartBeforeBeart #worship #PhilWickham #JoelPlotnick #Drumming #MusicCareer #SoftwareEngineer #ChristianMusic #Podcast #BehindTheScenes #TourLife
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