Life & Work with Jason Schmidt of Pleasant View/Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Schmidt

Jason, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

My passion for drums began as a baby. I would play on anything I could to make rhythms and sounds such as pots, pans, cans, and cookie tins. I received my first kids drum set at age 3. After years of persistence and asking my parents, and with the urging of my elementary school music teacher, I began formally playing drums in 1985 at age 11.

I began my training in the public school music programs in New York, North Carolina, and Maine by participating in marching, concert, jazz band, and jazz combo. My early music career kicked off at George Washington Elementary School in West Hempstead, NY where I was a member of both the Marching and Concert bands in the mid-1980s before joining the Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands at West Hempstead Middle and High schools. I was a member of the Marching Band at Wake Forest High School in Wake Forest, NC before moving to Old Town, Maine where I was a member of the Marching, Concert, Jazz Band, and Jazz Combo from 1990-92 at Old Town High School.

In addition to the many teachers I studied with during my school years, I also studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. I’ve studied with and taken master classes from Napoleon Revels-Bey, Jim Chapin, Rick Latham, Walfredo Reyes Sr., and John Ramsay.  I participated in festivals and competitions at both the high school and college level. In addition to participating in the University of New Hampshire’s Jazz Festival, and Berklee College of Music’s Jazz Festival Competition while still in high school.

My performance experience stretches from New England to Nashville with many highlights along the way. Currently, I’m working with Big Machine recording artist and songwriter Darryl Worley, as well as Josh David and Kelly Daniels. Prior to my time with Worley, David, and Daniels, I was drummer/percussionist/band leader and tour manager for Jason Michael Carroll from 2000-2006 and 2016-22; drummer/percussionist/ for Pam Tillis and Ray Scott in 2018; drummer and tour manager for Lindsay Ell from 2014-16, and drummer for Jon Pardi on “All Time High” Headline Tour with Brothers Osborne in 2015, as well as Pardi’s Album Release Tour for “Write You a Song” in 2014. From 2013-16 I was drummer/Band Leader/Production Manager for Brian Davis; drummer and percussionist with Florida Georgia Line from 2010-2012 where I performed on tour dates, the radio tour for the release of the single “Cruise”, as well as performing at the Grand Ole Opry and at the Ryman Auditorium in 2012.

Ive been blessed to be in a number of music videos, including Pardi’s 2015 live video recording shoot for “Head Over Boots;” percussion on The Huckabee Show with Keni Thomas, played drums on WGN Chicago TV with Pardi; percussion for TV taping of CMT’s Concrete Country with Brian Davis in 2013, as well as playing percussion on YAHOO Music Web Series with Miss Willie Brown in 2012. I played percussion on Florida Georgia Line Album “Here’s To The Good Times” as well as the drummer in the band’s video and lyric video for “Cruise”.

When I’m not touring, I’m working on countless other projects. My 2000 self-released album, “Banged Oddities”, is an eclectic blend of multi-drum and percussion compositions, which were all written, performed, and produced by myself. I’m currently finishing my second album, “Earth Tones” which will be released late 2025. Besides composing for my own projects, I’ve composed for other artists and for independent films. I also do freelance work both live and in the studio. I built my own full production studio, Stillwater Sound, where I do remote drum tracking, programming, and full production recording. I’m also a current professional member  of BMI, and the Percussive Arts Society.

I exclusively play and endorse Pearl Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Aquarian Drum Heads, Regal Tip Drum Sticks, Humes & Berg, Rhythm Tech, Moravian Percussion/Box Kit, ProLogix Percussion, Adam Argullin Mallets, Roc-N-Soc, Grover Pro-Percussion, Wright Hand Drum Co., QwikStix, Westone Music Products, Pinstripe Pedals DI’s, Sledgepad, Cympad, Slug Percussion Products, Kelly Shu, Great Leather Stick Bags, De La Cruz Drum Keys, and Drum Fun.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

had to learn to deal with different personality types and volatile business situations. I take pride in navigating that while keeping my honor and character in tact. A hard lesson was realizing that loyalty is something demanded but seldom returned. And being a loyal person that was a hard lesson, but I didn’t let it change who I am.   It’s so important to find and surround yourself with good people in your circle.  People that want to see you win as much as you want them to win.  If people in your circle don’t celebrate you or it’s a competition with them then they aren’t truly in your circle.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Drummer/Percussionist/Producer
I have been told that I have solid time and feel, and drive the band. Also that I have an attention to detail, learn the songs like the album, and play them the same everytime. That I play with passion and energy, and that I am a good hang and team player. As a producer I have a vast pool of influences that I pull from to bring the artist songs to life.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I also own a studio called Stillwater Sound which is a full audio production studio located just northwest of Nashville, TN. Services include recording, overdubs, mixing, mastering, remote tracking, and producing. A positive and vibey space to bring your song to

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jasonschmidtonline.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schmidtydrums?igsh=cGhhczc1ZjJlb3p6&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GeNA5TavJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@schmidtydrums?si=UecLQuyuK7qY30S-
• Other: https://stillwatersoundtn.com/