Meet Greg Collister

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Greg Collister. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Greg below.

Hi Greg , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Knowing our purpose in life is one of the most sought after answers everyone in the world searches for! That’s why I chose it for this interview. So many people spend their lives on a journey to find their purpose and feel completely empty until they find it.

Here’s the key thing that helped me Identify my purpose:

1. Main gift: I was born with a gift to play drums, given to me by god, it was recognized from an early age as it quickly became a deep passion. Drumming is the thing that sets my soul on fire! It’s the thing I do the best! I had an epiphany when I was young while in a drum lesson with my 1st & one of my most important drum teachers, Al Nache. There I was looking out the window while sitting behind Al’s hunter green Pearl drum kit when it hit me. I mumbled drumming is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. When Al heard me speak those words he asked what I said? and I repeated..with a smile on his face he looked at me and said “let’s get to work then!” He knew I had realized my gift, my life’s purpose in that exact moment in time!

It is my belief that everyone in this world is born with a set of gifts. Identify your MAIN GIFT 1st, that will start unlocking your other gifts. Throughout your life you will discover them & some may be completely unrelated. Discover your main gift and now you have the foundation for your main purpose.

I would like to share a quote from one of my favorite movies of all time, “The Last Samurai”. In a scene the leader of the samurai, Katsumoto says to Tom Cruise (a captive soldier of war living in the village amongst the samurai at the time..) “The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.”

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
For those of you out there just getting to know me here’s a bit of my story!

I am an LA based pro drummer who grew up on a farm in the Midwest. Despite showing interest in rhythm from an early age, my destiny began calling at age 10 when I officially started drumming. I obtained my degree in professional drumming/percussion from Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA in 2004, & have studied with some of the world’s greatest drummers & teachers including: Joe Porcaro, Rob Carson, & Thomas Lang to name a few. Since, I’ve gone on to work with legendary Los Angeles goth rock band HUMAN DRAMA who holds a #1 record on Amazon Latin America as well as being featured in Rolling Stone Magazine. I am known for my versatility in performing all styles of music with many artists of different genres including: performing on national TV at Jimmy Kimmel Live with SHAH XO & The CLETONES (kimmel’s house band). A few other artists I work/have worked with include: SAMMI DOLL(Kat von D/IAmX), YO QUIERO SILLA, Patrique Fortson (as seen on NBC’s hit show “The Voice”) JOSH MORELAND, YETI VALHALLA, UNVEIL THE STRENGTH (featuring original former Five Finger Death Punch Bassist Matt Snell), MICK MAHAN (bassist of Pat Benatar), recording with bassist RIC FIERABRACCI (Yanni/Blood Sweat & Tears), & for other International projects like Metal Artist Burgi Zerschëllt & Japanese film/TV.

Over the last couple years between 2021-2023 I’ve added some exciting new things!

Over the past year more specifically I’ve built my first Dream Kit & recording set up. I’m calling it Dream Drum Build #1. This monster drum kit consists of a Gibraltar rack system that holds 17 drums and 17 cymbals not including auxiliary percussion! At its core it features Tama Drums limited edition (1 out of 50 made worldwide) Tamo ash & satin gold 6 piece drum kit. With walnut and birch inner plies it is a thing of pure beauty, visually & sonically! It is now completely mic’d up and I’m ready to record for any artist or band anytime! So if you need drum tracks for your recordings CONTACT ME! Give me a call, or send me a message (323)786-3493, PM/DM @gregcollisterofficial, or email [email protected]

I have launched my own merch/clothing line started this year called Collister Clothing-The Drumline & Beyond which can be found on my website at gregcollister.com/shop & on all platforms @CollisterClothingOffical with the exception of Facebook which is currently under @CollisterDrumlineOfficial. Please go check out my shop as I have a vast variety of shirts, mugs, hats, hoodies & other items to keep ya inspired, looking & feeling good while you’re on your own amazing journey!

I have also started all new social media which can primarily be found on all platforms @gregcollisterofficial with the exception of the clothing line listed above.

I have launched the 1st video on my YouTube channel @gregcollisterofficial in a new series titled “Life of Your Dreams” with a goal of helping people all over the world achieve their dream life!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
There’s something I call the three P’s. These are 1. passion, 2. patience, and 3. perseverance. Each one alone is very powerful but together they become a superpower on your path to success!

1. Passion
In my opinion, in addition to identifying your gift, you must have a lot passion for what you do in order to ride the ups and downs of any journey to reach your intended target and be successful. You can never completely lose this passion even when things get very difficult for you because they will. I’ll never forget one time I was sitting in a drum clinic that Todd Sucherman (drummer of Styx) was putting on, and he talked about his drums. Every time he walked by the room that his drums were in he always looked at them with this I’m gonna get you mentality, like it was Christmas morning everyday! He said, “You have to really want this life in order to make it happen!” KEEP YOUR PASSION ALIVE!

2.Patience
This one is very difficult especially when you want something so bad but you haven’t yet received it. I’m reminded of all the greatest people in the world when I think of this such as the stories of Abraham Lincoln, Michael Jordan, etc! They never gave up, but if they had run out of patience they would’ve given up before they became successful! In addition to doing all the work necessary I cannot stress enough you MUST be patient too. The best things have to be built on a solid foundation otherwise they will not stand the test of time and great things take time to build! HAVE PATIENCE!

3. Perseverance
It’s easy to give up right? Ahhh I don’t feel like doing this anymore it’s too much work…I’m tired, or I’m sad or whatever you’re feeling..don’t you let that stop you! Ok so you decided you wanna be a superstar..now what?! You gotta persevere baby! There’s nothing good that comes from quitting on your dreams or yourself. That leads to a life full of regret. You gotta stick it out. I’ve talked about this before but many many times I was beyond done with this life but I always find my way back to my feet.
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN YOUR LIFE, PERSEVERE.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes!! I want to collaborate with the greatest artists, bands, and musicians on the planet are you kidding me!?! I’m looking for A-Listers! If you are serious about music and have star qualities or you are a star contact me immediately at (323)786-DRUM. I’m always looking for amazing people with great attitudes, image & personalities to work with! Now that the drum recording studio is up and running the amount of possibilities are endless! Let’s go!

If you’re looking for a pro drummer for collaboration, live performance, touring, recording, or drum lessons please contact me directly by call or text at: (323)786-3493
email at: [email protected] you can PM or DM me on social media @gregcollisterofficial on all platforms or go to www.gregcollister.com/contact
and fill out the contact form.

Contact Info:

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