Denny Fongheiser: "From Friends to Fast Cars": The Rich Redmond Show: EP 155.
Channel: Rich Redmond
Date: 21/02/2023

Denny Fongheiser grew up in the East Bay of San Francisco in San Leandro. Playing drums at a young age. He was influenced by the East Bay Funk and Soul scene of Oakland. His dream was to move to Los Angeles to play on records and tour with recording artists. Denny moved to LA at the age of 19 and not only achieved that dream, he became one of the most in-demand session and live drummers in the business.
Whether playing, producing, writing or arranging, Denny Fongheiser focuses on embracing a great song and bringing out the best in each artist. He can be heard on countless multi-Platinum, Grammy, Oscar and Emmy winning recordings, traveling extensively between Los Angeles, New York, London and Tokyo. He’s toured the world many times over with top Domestic and International Artists. Denny’s written and arranged for countless National TV & Radio Spots as well as creating remixes for various artists. Recently was a producer/musical director for a new rock opera.
He co-founded “Sonic Bliss Productions” with his partner Kimberly Adamis. The company focuses on creating, developing and producing music, photography & other media art on an international level.
Just a few of Denny’s credits include Heart, Tracy Chapman (including her mega hit Fast Car), Counting Crows (including the hit Mr. Jones), Seal, Peter Frampton, John Paul Jones, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Waters, Boy Meets Girl, Shawn Colvin, Freddy Mercury, The Lion King soundtrack, Tom Cochrane, B’z, Maeda Nobuteru, T-Bone Burnett and was the drummer on I’ll Be There For You, the mega-hit theme for the hit TV show Friends. The list goes on. 
Some Things That Came Up: 
2:20 Moving to LA in 1980 and the power of MTV
3:30 Change is good and diversity is king 
5:15 Producing and Writing 
7:00 Technology Evolution and never stop learning 
8:20 Synares, Clicks, Linn Drum, Simmons
12:40 Sequencers following the drummer’s time
14:00 Recording in London, NY and using house gear. 
16:00 Eliminating old gear. 
18:20 Using pro tools to achieve results as opposed to HAVING to get the take in years past. 
18:50 Good “Out of Time” vs. Bad “Out of Time”.
22:20 Using Percussion hyper-creatively.
24:50 Changing setups to motivate creativity.
27:20 Tuning hand drums to the track 
29:00 Analog sounds for digital effects
31:50 REMO Mondo snares and Spoke.
32:40 Tracy Chapman debut record.
34:30 Hal Blaine advice: Dark chords=use toms, not cymbals.
37:20 AUDITIONING to play on the Tracy Chapman record.
38:20 Moving to LA at 19 years old. 
42:10 Triggering on the Cock Robin record. 
48:00 Keltner’s advice to play live. 
50:30 Do what you are supposed to do and the money will come. 
52:50 Counting Crowe’s “August and Everything” …
61:30 Modern Drummer cover issue with the LA session drumming round table…circa 91’. 
64:00 Be your authentic self. We are the best at being OURSELVES. 
67:00 Recording songs for the film “Thing Called Love” at Capitol.
68:50 Recording Brian Setzer’s “Live Nude Guitars” at age 25. 
69:40 CASTING  the right musicians for every project. 
70:30 Opportunities coming through the least expected paths.
74:40 Introverts: GET OUT! 
77:00 Small union gig led to a 3 month tour. 
79:00 Being open to the signs from the Universe.
83:40 Playing on the theme song to FRIENDS 
91:30 TV/Film work vs. records and payments 
94:40 Producing the rock opera “Staring Into Nothing”
100:45 The DW 50th Anniversary Party
Follow: 
www.dennyfongheiser.com
IG: @dennyfonghesier
FB: @dennyfonghesier
 The Rich Redmond Show is about all things music, motivation and success. Candid conversations with musicians, actors, comedians, authors and thought leaders about their lives and the stories that shaped them. Rich Redmond is the longtime drummer with Jason Aldean and many other veteran musicians and artists. Rich is also an actor, speaker, author, producer and educator. Rich has been heard on thousands of songs, over 25 of which have been #1 hits!
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Jim McCarthy is the quintessential Blue Collar Voice Guy. Honing his craft since 1996 with radio stations in Illinois, South Carolina, Connecticut, New York, Las Vegas and Nashville, Jim has voiced well over 10,000 pieces since and garnered an ear for audio production which he now uses for various podcasts, commercials and promos. Jim is also an accomplished video producer, content creator, writer and overall entrepreneur.
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