PERCUSSION Todd Bragg
[ WM ] Tell us about how you got started playing percussion ?
[ Todd Bragg ] Well , I don ’ t really know . I don ’ t think there was a conscious decision to start playing “ percussion ” instead of the drums . I just looked at all of it as rhythm . I think because I didn ’ t have a lot of formal drum training when I was a kid I didn ’ t know to separate the two worlds , so I just followed what was exciting and interesting . I love learning about drums , where they came from , what they were used for , and how they sound .
[ WM ] Who were your main percussion influences ?
[ Todd ] Alex Acuña , Airto Moreira , Trilok Guru , Evelyn Glennie , Sheila E , Giovanni Hidalgo ,
Glen Velez , to name a few .
[ WM ] Do you play drums and percussion outside of the church ? Do any session work ?
[ Todd ] I tour with Crowder , mainly . I play at my church , drums / perc whatever is needed . I love doing session work when I can , but family time takes priority when I ’ m not traveling , so studio work is mainly what I can make time to do in my home studio .
[ WM ] Do you have a drum or percussion kit at home ... tell us about that one ?
[ Todd ] I have a traditional drum kit always ready to play as well as an ever-changing hybrid kit that has a random mix of hand drums ( cajon , daf , ocean drums ), vintage oddities that I ’ ve picked up over many years of travel , and mounted metal objects .
[ WM ] Do you make any of your objects ?
[ Todd ] I do more modifying than making . But I love to make my own shakers , add sizzle or grit to things , find a better sound from something that ’ s broken , or bring something old and worn back to life .
[ WM ] What everyday items not meant to be percussion instruments have you found usable ?
[ Todd ] Pots , skillets , old metal lids , chains , vases , glass water jugs , scraps of metal , various plastics and metal pipes , old wrenches , lamp bases , bottle caps , dried gourds ... anything that sounds interesting . You should see me at an antique store or scrap yard ! ( laughing )
[ WM ] Can you list three worship albums that inspire your own worship musicianship ?
[ Todd ] I don ’ t think about distinguishing music