Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Paetznick.
Hi Chad, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started hitting pots and pans as a toddler and started taking drum lessons when I was 4 years old. My first performance was at 5 when I sat in on drums w/ my drum teacher’s cover band in Akron, Ohio playing “Black Magic Woman” by Santana. Not long after that I had an audition for a Yankee Frank hot dog commercial but I didn’t get it (got used to rejection early haha). Over the years, I learned all the drum rudiments, competed internationally in drumlines, and played in bands growing up. My band in Ohio, Ishkabibble had some good success in the Midwest, but I decided I needed a change so I moved to Atlanta. While there, I taught high school and middle school music, recorded drums for some indy albums, and sat in as guest drummer with Zac Brown several times (my friend Marcus Petruska was his drummer at the time). This was right before Zac broke out big and “Chicken Fried” had just come out. I fell into acting in Atlanta 2018 while doing a ton of background and featured background work on Stranger Things season 3, Ozark 3, and several other series and I really enjoyed it. I did a small tour drumming for American Idol Finalist Jessica Meuse in 2019, then moved to Nashville right after. I landed a job teaching Rock Band with Metro Nashville Public Schools. That job is a blessing and allows me to pursue acting and drumming more. I’ve been studying at Nashville Acting Studio for 3 years now and the acting side of my artist life has started to blossom! I’ve also been spinning vinyl records at clubs, bars and special events for awhile.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working in music education for 29 years now has really helped me get through tough times because it has been a steady income despite economic ups and downs, which enables me to continue acting and drumming. When I relocated to Nashville, it was a little tough starting over in a new city, but I really worked hard to get out and meet people and network. I was just myself and did my best to be myself in every situation and be kind to everyone I met. Things were really starting to grow when all-of-a-sudden a huge tornado hit Nashville and devastated some areas and then 2 weeks later…..COVID shut the world down. I was scared for a bit that the tornado and covid were signs that maybe I shouldn’t have relocated to Nashville and that my artist future was in danger. Eventually, the film industry started to come back and I did some work on Stranger Things 4 which was a big boost, and then life returned to some normalcy and good things started to happen again!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Well there are three facets to my artist life. My day job is teaching rock band at Bellevue Middle School in Nashville. I have a wonderful program that serves students of Metro Nashville Public Schools and I am proud to be a part of that system. I get to work with all types of students from different backgrounds (some who couldn’t afford to being in programs like School of Rock, etc) and teach them basics on all the instruments and we play every day. I have also had special guests come in and perform with the kids like Beach Bunny, Helmet, and recently up and coming Nashville sensation Snooper. As an actor, I have been busy training, auditioning, and filming. I gained alot of experience by acting in 15 student films at Belmont University, Lipscomb, and SCAD. Unexpectedly, I had an Instagram comedy reel blow up, where I play an eccentric guy named Reg aka The Pizza Roll Guy. That reel hit over 2.1 million views on Instagram which was a big surprise! I have done alot of work on Stranger Things working in several scenes season 3 and 4 with Joe Keery and Maya Hawke, and most recently got to work up-close with Gaten Matarazzo and the Duffer brothers for an episode in the upcoming season 5. I landed speaking roles in two films available on Amazon Prime and Tubi called “The 6th” and “Eating Me Up” by talented film director Ricky Burchell (from Murfreesboro, TN) and I am very proud of the work I did on those films. I have a great agent and have been lucky to have had some great auditions for some big productions recently. On the drumming side, I currently play in an Irish punk-rockabilly band called 1916 and we have a new album called “Conscience of Kings” coming out soon. I also released some great alt-rock music on Spotify w/ a band called Allblacktemples. What may set me apart is that I am able to balance all three of these to where I am able to do each thing very well and not neglect one or the other. It’s a constant life of spinning plates, but I love it! Besides all that, I’m also a dad with two adult sons! (Brandon 27 and Justin 24)
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Well, here’s some fun anecdotes… I once snuck my drums on stage during a Tone-Loc New Year’s Eve concert in Atlanta (after a few root beers, my band was the opener) and started playing drums in synch to his hits and lived to tell about it! Two of my former music students are in the popular nationally-known indie band Lunar Vacation. I love Ireland, have been there 3 times and took my music students there for a week performance tour. In high school, I was friends with and briefly dated the super model legend Niki Taylor (who hasn’t spoke to me since I asked someone else to my senior prom). I have a Music Education degree from The Ohio State University. I was a member of the Star of Indiana drumline which placed 2nd at the DCI world championships. My marching band students from Atlanta recorded at Jack White’s Third Man Records (Jack loved it!), I have 2 guitar picks from Eddie Van Halen at home that he threw to me during concerts! I once worked up close on set with legendary actor Barry Bostwick (Brad from Rocky Horror). I hosted Janie Hendrix (Jimi’s sister) twice as a special guest for my music students. I sat right next to Robert De Niro at a Dave Chappell show in Atlanta. I was in a B-52’s tribute band from Atlanta called “The Lobsters of Rock.” I saw the bands Twisted Sister, Guns N Roses, Ozzy, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Ratt, Van Halen and many more all during their prime in the 80’s and that was a huge influence on my drumming career!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cpdrumming.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cpdrumming
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GWW7JZATB
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3uLd0KG37US1Chhthzm8O6?si=UvhprYjlTM22sfQlbVNsJQ
