On the Beat With Sammy Merendino: Talks "Kinky Boots", Cyndi Lauper, and Tour

via Modern Drummer Magazine

Hello everyone! I’m writing this on a tour bus on my way to Northern California. For the past three and a half years, I’ve spent most of my time on the fifth floor of the Al Hirschfeld Theater playing drums for the six-time Tony Award-winning Broadway show Kinky Boots, (book by Harvey Fierstein and music by Cyndi Lauper).
A few weeks back I received a phone call asking me to rejoin Cyndi’s band. I totally love being at the theater and playing with our incredible thirteen-piece orchestra, but after 1,291 performances (since April 4, 2013), I was ready to hit the road. I gladly accepted the offer.
The tour is in support of Cyndi’s recent album Detour. It’s a classic country record made in Nashville (awesome drummers Chad Cromwell and Greg Morrow played on the record). We are playing six tracks from Detour, as well as a number of Cyndi’s hits. It’s really great to be back onstage with Cyndi and this killin’ band.
My first gig back with Cyndi was recording Austin City Limits Live. Nothing like jumping straight into the fire! Cyndi is an incredibly dynamic performer and likes to change it up from time to time. She calls a lot of “audibles,” so I need to stay on top of things. The shows are rocking and fans have been incredible and extremely supportive.
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