Episode 28 | "The Bolt Tenor Mallet" (feat. Tevin "TJ" Stevens)
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Show notes
🕊️ This episode is dedicated to our dear friend and fellow drummer, Nicholas Jackson.
We received the heartbreaking news of Nick’s passing while recording this episode. Despite the shock and sadness, we did our best to push through and finish the conversation in his honor.
Rest in peace, Nick — your spirit, rhythm, and friendship will forever be a part of this community.
In this episode of The Drum Lounge Podcast, Jeremie Foster and Bryon Russell sit down with percussionist and innovator TJ Stevens, creator of the Bolt mallet — a custom tenor drumstick designed specifically for HBCU drummers. TJ shares his journey from student to instructor, breaking down the challenges of designing an instrument that reflects the power, precision, and personality of the HBCU percussion experience.
The conversation dives into the Bolt’s design process, its impact on the drumline community, and the importance of identity, detail, and community support in both performance and instruction. The trio also explore teaching philosophies, the evolution of cadences, stick control, and the balance between tradition and innovation in marching percussion.
🎯 TJ’s Bolt mallet is available now at americandrum.com
🙌 Special congratulations to our Drum Pad Giveaway winner — Jiomar Hernandez! Thank you to everyone who entered and continues to support The Drum Lounge Podcast.
5th Quarter Picks:
🎵 Jeremie’s Pick: BCU Band — Shake Your Pants (2014)
🎵 Bryon’s Pick: BCU Band — Fedz Watchin’ (2014)
🎵 TJ’s Pick: BCU Drumline — ‘08 (2008)
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The Drum Lounge Podcast — where HBCU band culture lives, breathes, and evolves. 🥁🔥
