On July 19 and 20, Nashville’s Fairgrounds Expo 1 wasn’t just a venue; it became a heartbeat. The fifth annual Music City Drum Show filled the massive 46,000-square-foot space with sound, energy, and people who understand rhythm not just as music, but as a way of life. Over two vibrant days, the event brought together a mix of professionals, hobbyists, collectors, educators, and industry pioneers: each there to celebrate the culture of drumming.
The show, which has steadily grown over the years, reached a new peak in 2025. More than 130 exhibitors participated, offering a diverse mix of products: from full kits and handcrafted snares to cymbals, pedals, and niche accessories. But this wasn’t just about gear. The real draw was the human connection, the chance to talk shop, share stories, and feel understood in a room full of fellow rhythm-makers.
Landon Hall, the drummer and producer behind the event, has kept that spirit alive from the start. His vision wasn’t just to create another expo, but to build a space where people could gather around a shared love for the instrument, without the distractions of digital booths or impersonal displays. It worked. There were no screens or livestreams, just the sound of sticks on heads and the steady murmur of conversation.
Saturday’s clinic sessions packed in both star power and insight. Dylan Wissing opened with reflections from his career in the studio, offering advice grounded in experience rather than theory. Jay Weinberg brought a blast of energy, reminding everyone what intensity looks like behind the kit. Then came Leyan Senay, blending global percussion styles into something fresh and modern, stretching the crowd’s sense of what drumming can be.
Sunday brought a shift in mood. Bobby T. Torello took the stage first, delivering grooves soaked in decades of rock heritage. Afterward, Cathy Rich and Gregg Potter honored the legendary Buddy Rich, not just through performance, but through memory and emotion. The afternoon closed with Jake Sommers and Mat Maxwell, who brought a polished, understated rhythm shaped by their time with country star Luke Combs.
Outside of the clinics, Saturday night offered something special. Yamaha Drums hosted A Night in the Pocket at the Analog venue inside the Hutton Hotel. The showcase featured 14 Yamaha artists playing to a full room, with genres ranging from jazz to metal. The vibe was electric but laid-back, musicians playing for musicians, without pretense.
Meanwhile, on the exhibition floor, you could hear something new around every corner. One booth might be showing off a new snare prototype; another might feature an old-school kit with vintage hardware. Some brands were household names. Others were one-person operations. But all of them shared a love for the craft. Even the U.S. Army Bands joined the mix, showing their support for the community in an unexpected yet fitting way.
Tickets were priced with accessibility in mind. A single-day pass cost $15, while the full weekend was $25. VIP access, which included entry to the venue during Friday’s setup and early hours, was offered for $100. The crowd was refreshingly varied—teachers with their students, touring drummers comparing notes, beginners trying out sticks, and lifelong players rediscovering what they love.
Perhaps the most remarkable part of the event wasn’t what was added: it was what was left out. No screens. No digital distractions. Just real people in a real space, trading grooves and stories. In a world where music is often experienced through a screen, the Music City Drum Show felt like something rare: honest, direct, and alive.