[ Nick Buda ]

Group // Independent

Stick  // 5A Wood

From pounding a brown leather ottoman with wooden kitchen spoons to playing on multi-platinum award-winning albums, Nick Buda has been playing drums ever since he can remember. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, his mom kept James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and Little Feat the house standard. Following the beats on this make-shift drum set, Nick broke more than a few spoons along the way.

Nick's parents quickly recognized his early promising talent and at a young age, enrolled him in drum lessons at the Jazz Workshop in Cape Town. Left handed by nature, his instructor challenged him to play right handed, thinking ahead to future jam sessions. Just 6 months later, Nick's family up and moved to the States, settling in a small apartment in Nashville, TN, where a drum kit was not an option. Nick went for the best alternative; a rubber practice pad kit, which he played on for hours and hours, pounding over the grooves of his favorite records.

A year later he received an electric drum set. This new set up allowed him to record his playing over the music he was jamming to. Every day he followed the same regimen: come home from school; play for a few hours; eat dinner; do homework; practice even more, and then fall asleep with headphones on listening to what he had recorded earlier and learning how his playing fit in with the music. Looking back, Nick regards this time of being able to really listen back to his playing as a pivotal learning experience.

In addition to the music his parents surrounded him with as a child, Nick's biggest drum influences include Steve Gadd, Carlos Vega, Vinnie Calaiuta, Steve Jordan, Jeff Porcaro, Richie Haywood and little pieces of many other great players.

Freshman year of high school, Nick finally scored his first real drum kit and quickly joined the garage band scene, playing in a band with a single on local college radio. After one particular gig, he was introduced to Mac Gayden, who co-wrote the iconic hit “Everlasting Love.” During his senior year, Mac started using Nick on some industry showcases and immediately after graduation, Nick packed his bags and went on the road with Gayden, touring the mid-west. After this run wrapped up, Nick moved on to Boston where he attended the Berklee College of Music and earned his degree in 1996.

Soon after graduating, Nick toured with Col.Bruce Hampton and the Codetalkers (what used to be Aquarium Rescue Unit) for two years, giving him the ‘real life' education no traditional schooling could teach. During this time, Nick was fortunate enough to play with so many amazing musicians: Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Richie Haywood (from Little Feat), Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman(from Phish), Bob Wier, Oteil Burbridge (from Allman Bros) and Jimmie Herring amongst many others.

In 2002, Nick moved back to Music City and hit the pavement. Within a couple of months, he was asked to play with Cyndi Thomson opening a new chapter in his career. To date, Nick has toured with Edwin McCain, Jedd Hughes, Maia Sharp, Mindy Smith, Aaron Lines, Randy Houser, Rachel Proctor, Shelly Fairchild, Josh Hoge, Emily West, Billy Dean and Bekka Bramlett. Nick also has several Grand Ole Opry appearances with various artists along with TV credits, including the Late Show With David Letterman and Live With Regis & Kelly, to name a few.

Nick's unique drumming style combines a delicate touch, a soul/pop groove and an exhilarating energy that adds a signature depth and excitement to the tracks he records. Nick is not afraid to take chances with the music he plays, and that is what sets him a part. His unmistakable style easily transitions from the road to the studio and has proven to be in high demand amongst the Music Row elite, playing on country/pop sensation Taylor Swift's multi-platinum self-titled debut album as well as her second record, Fearless, which is recognized this year as the Academy of Country Music's Album Of The Year. Currently, he is working on new projects by Swift and country superstar Sara Evans.

To date, Nick has recorded with such diverse artists and producers as Richard Marx, Mindy Smith, Randy Houser, Ray Kennedy, James Stroud, Mark Wright, Garth Fundus, Steve Cropper, Kenny Greenberg, Brent Mayer, Nathan Chapman, Mary Gauthier, Jeffery Steele, Gordy Sampson, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Gracin, Jimmy Wayne, Lori McKenna, Gabe Dixon, Rachel Proctor and Ashley Cleveland.

Nick's drumming technique has already started to shape and influence the new sound of Nashville, and his incredible track record is continually growing in leaps and bounds (sans wooden spoons).

www.myspace.com/nickbuda