We were lucky to catch up with Scott Stewart recently and have shared our conversation below.
Scott, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
As a working artist, I have always relied on structuring a detailed schedule for any and all activities. Balancing an effective work life balance is important and requires a great deal of self discipline to ensure that I do not burn myself out. From an early age, I have observed my dad (Larry Stewart) build out list and plan events accordingly and to have structured timelines. I have always strived to follow in his footsteps in all aspects of my life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Scott Stewart is a 45-year-old drummer from Louisville, Kentucky who started expressing interest in playing drums at the age of 5. Following in his father’s footsteps as a musician, Scott takes his passion for music and tries to inspire others to follow their dreams. In his free time, Scott works with individuals who are starting out in music and provides support to help elevate their overall abilities and social media follow by sharing the “drum love”.
As of February of 2022, Scott started playing with the Kentucky based band, Blacktop Rodeo and still fills in with various artist across the region as needed.
Over his extensive career as a musician, Scott has played with or touring support alongside various artist such as The Kentucky Headhunters, The Bama Band, KMFDM, Flaw, Primer 55, Dallas Moore, Mickey Lamantia, Hatebreed, Coal Chamber and more.
Scott proudly endorses the following brands: RL Drums, Scorpion Percussion, Creative Percussion, The Sweet Spots Drum Dampeners, TnR Products, Sledge Pad, Vintage Logos, Brass Lasagna, DrumPrax practice pads, Attack Drumheads, KickPort International, Cympad International, and is part of the Centent Cymbals family.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Growing up around music and eventually joining the Oldham County Middle School Band Program as a percussionist, I tried to obtain as much knowledge as possible to use that in dreams of a career in music. While I was not the best student at that time, I pushed myself to grow and never give up. Taking that willpower and dedication, I took that information from the classroom and applied it to my drum kit at home.
As I started to advance in my playing abilities, I ensured that I maintained a positive mindset. With a positive mindset, I set small, obtainable goals for myself and structured plans on how I would work to achieve my goals. Even with small set goals, I worked with other artist to have an accountability partner and would publish my goals on social media, gaining support and the personal drive to push myself harder in turning the dream of playing music into a career path.
The old saying practice make perfect is nice but in reality, practice makes progress. With ever time I pick up a pair of drumsticks, I practice as if I’m playing to a sold out venue. While I doubt that I have ever achieved perfection, I have maintained progress. As a musician, I play from the heart and have a true passion for what I do, while I always want to play consistently night after night, some nights my personal life dictates the degree of passion that is amplified to the crowd. While I always strive to do my best, I communicate with the crowd in a way that they see and feel how I am feeling through my art. When you can communicate with a total stranger like that, without spoken word, it is truly a blessing.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My dad has been one of my greatest influences. As a fellow musician, he has been supportive since the first time I picked up a pair of drumsticks. Even though he did not teach me a lot of skills behind the drum kit, his overall work ethic, drive, dedication and determinization fueled me to use those skills in my life. Seeing the type of man that he is, it continues to drive me to be a better person, pushing myself towards my goals and dreams.
Having a positive and supportive role model has always been a true blessing in my life. While my dreams are to become a professional touring musician as a full time career, continuing to grow as a man and follow in his example allows me to overcome just about any obstacle or challenge I may face.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.scottstewartdrums.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/whistler00gage
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/blacktoprodeo
- Twitter: @whistler00gage
- Youtube: @scottstewart2194
- Other: www.linktree.com/Whistler00
Image Credits
Christopher Smoot Ann Raisor
