We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jim Leadbetter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jim thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

as soon as I picked up drum sticks at 13 years old.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Jim Leadbetter. 45 years old. Professional musician (drummer) and side hustle screen printer. I have a wife and two “vicious” pitbulls :)

I started my first professional band in 1998 right after high school. Toured, recorded, played shows ever since. I picked up screen printing in 2014 as a means to have a creative outlet when between bands. In 2017, I started teaching drums full time along with playing shows, session recording.

I provide drum lessons, drum recording on clients music in my home studio, session work and touring, screen printing for companies as well as my own brand ” Anxious Energy”.

I don’t know if I solve any problems other than sharing my gift of music with kids and adults alike. Along with making T shirts for friends and clients in the bodyboarding world and many other industries. What sets me apart from other is that I don’t have a syllabus in my teaching style. It’s free form while learning the fundamentals of drums and music.

I am most proud of the fact that I get to do what I love for a living and have a loving and supporting wife from the jump. What I want others to know is that honesty is the best policy. For example: when screen printing, If a client comes to me with a design and it’s out of my wheel house, They’ll know up front and total transparency. With being a professional musician, show up early, play well, be a good hang, rinse and repeat.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Staying away from a typical 9 to 5 and continue doing the things I love. It’s taken me so many years to get to this point and I’m gonna ride it until the wheels fall off.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

From picking up drums when I was 13 years old, until today, I have never stopped playing drums. I started my first professional band in 1998 and have kept going until 2017 when I was able to drum full time. So bscially an overnight success lol. I’ve always had jobs to pay the bill until this took off however. All the while, I kept pushing until I was able to do this full time. Screen printing has also been a great side source of income as well along with being an additional creative outlet.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jimleadbetterdrums.com
• Instagram: @jimleadbetterdrums
• Facebook: @jimleadbetterdrums
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jimleadbetterdrums
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/drum-lessons-by-jim-leadbetter-georgetown-4
• Other: www.anxiousenergy.com

Image Credits
Lam Nguyen @thevacantroom