Rising Stars: Meet Sean O’Rourke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean O’Rourke.

Hi Sean, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started playing drums at an early age as my Grandfather was a Professional drummer in New Jersey. He gave me his Gretsch snare drum when I was in elementary school. I still have it and have used it on many recording sessions. I was in band through school including Drum Corp in High school. Upon graduating, I immediately found myself on the road playing in a Rock band. Back then we had a 24′ truck full of gear that we would setup everyday, do the gig, and break it down afterwards and head to the next town. I did that for a couple of years. When that ended, I started playing in the local clubs and doing recording sessions. I was 20 when I did my first session. Those were the days of “New wave” music, so I had an electronic drum set (Simmons drums) and a Linn Drum machine. I would play until 3 O’clock in the morning and get up to go to recording sessions during the day at various studios. I was the staff drummer at many of them. I would drum for whoever was in the studio that day. The New wave band I was in appeared on Star search. We won the first time we were on the show. I continued working with various bands playing multiple styles.
I moved to Key West, Fla for four years to drum in the house band at Sloppy Joes. We would play 36 nights straight and take a week off and start it all over again. During my weeks off, I would travel to Naples Florida where I would drum for a rock band that was trying to get a record deal. We were produced by Tom Allom. He produced bands like Judas Priest and Def Leopard.
I moved back to Atlanta and found the scene had changed. There were no more week long gigs, only one nighters. I freelanced playing with a different band every night. Sometimes playing with upwards of 30 different musicians in a week’s time. I had to be able to play all genres of music, depending on the gig. I continued doing session work and gigging at night.
Soon, the tours started. Both International and National. I toured with many different artists including Francine Reed (of Lyle Lovett), Mothers Finest, The Aquarium Rescue unit, Derek Trucks and Sugarland.
I was fortunate to work with Jerry Ragavoy, a longtime Producer/Songwriter, on a record for Howard Tate. That record was nominated for a 2004 Grammy for Best contemporary blues.
I’ve been featured in Modern Drummer 8 times for 11 records that I’ve drummed on. Some of them, I’ve produced and mixed.
I’m in a book called “Sticks and Skins” that includes many of the top drummers in the World. It is in The Smithsonian Library, The Grammy Museum Archives, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives and The Country Music Hall of Fame Archives.
I started my Home recording/Production business when Pro Tools first made the hardware available to make that happen.(’98)
I was one of the first drummers in Atlanta to offer drum tracks online. I’ve drummed for people from all over the world via the internet. I also mix and master many of the projects I drum on. During my time a session drummer, I paid close attention to the entire process of the recording session. From proper mic placement and through the mix/master stage.
I’ve been very fortunate to work with some of the best engineers in the business that have remarkable track records.
They all saw that I had the aptitude to understand the process and were glad to share their knowledge with Me.
I’m in my 4th decade of drumming for a living.
I’ve been married to my wonderful wife, Patti for 30 years. We have an amazing daughter, Saige, who graduated Summa Cum Laude from UT Knoxville last year.
Most of time, as of late, is spent in my recording studio tracking drums for folks as well as Producing/Mixing/Mastering most of the projects I’m involved with.
This is the short story. A lot has happened during my 4 decade career with highs and lows. It’s all part of being a Freelance musician.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not!. The music business is in constant flux. One must learn to adapt to be able to survive it. I have many stories of the struggles of navigating this business. From standing on the side of the road next to a broken down vehicle, last minute cancellations, music scene changes. Et Al. There have been struggles aside from logistical ones. Working with Musicians can be a delicate tightrope to walk. I had to learn to balance multiple egos in order to be able to work with so many different musicians over my career. I’ve often thought that freelance musicians deserve an honorary degree in Psychology. There have also been times where other drummers would come to my gigs and “Work the Room” I was playing, telling folks they could do what I do and do it for less. That comes with the territory of being visible in the music scene. In the end, the ones that fell for that rhetoric, soon realized it was a mistake.
I learned to “Hit the ground running” as I call it, at an early age. Being able to adapt to an ever changing landscape has been key to working as long as I have as a Musician. My wife. Patti, calls it “Consistently Inconsistent” There is an Ebb and Flow to this business.
I sometimes think about a quote by a writer named Hunter S Thompson. “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.”
Even still, I chose this path at a very young age and it’s what I was put on this earth to do. That is, until I got married and had our daughter. Priorities changed.
I’ve pretty much ticked all of the boxes in my “Want to do” list. It can be very stressful at times, but by that same token, very rewarding. (ie) Playing stadiums in front of 60,000 people to drumming on Grammy nominated records and being featured in an International magazine.
To me. by far, the hardest thing I’ve had to do was leave my family to go out on tour. I’d be gone for weeks at a time, missing out on things the people who have “Straight gigs” can take for granted. Like being around to watch my daughter learn new things at an early age or be there for my wife when life happens. It takes a very strong woman to stand by her Musician Husband for as long as she has. She’s the strongest person I’ve ever come across.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As I’ve previously mentioned, I’ve been a professional drummer since graduating high school. This includes drumming for many different bands/musicians. I’ve been a first call studio drummer since then as well. I’ve drummed for world renowned Producers, which includes Grammy nominations as well as music for Film and Television. This has lead me to becoming a producer/mix engineer as I’ve learned to see the bigger picture and the process of what makes a recording session work. I own a studio where I remotely offer drum tracks as well as Mixing services.
I was given the nickname “Only 1 take” at a very young age in the recording studio scene.
I have the ability to walk into any situation and perform with confidence thereby making the client comfortable enough to be able to achieve their given goal with great success. Whether that be recording or performing on any stage, large or small, and giving a great performance. I’m kind of fun to watch. The last thing a client needs to worry about is who’s on the drum throne.
There are many things I’m proud of that I’ve achieved during my career, but none of them compare to my Family.
I have a strong devoted wife, Patti, who has stood by me through the lean times and was there with me during the amazing times. She’s an amazing woman and I am lucky to have her by my side.
Our remarkable Daughter, Saige, has become an amazing Young woman and has a very bright future in front of her. Saige is what the best dreams are made of. She well surpasses any accolade I’ve achieved in my career.
As for what I’m known for, in the recording world, it’s being able to achieve a great drum performance in a very short time that the client is very happy with.
In the live world, I’m known for bringing an exciting, fun to watch, performance. I am very good at creating an energetic vibe on stage that makes whoever I work for look good. Giving them the ability to perform their show with the confidence that I’ve got their back. It doesn’t matter the size of the venue. I bring the energy level up in any situation I find myself.
There are many drummers that can play what I play. The difference isn’t what I play, It’s How I play it that sets me apart.
Lastly, Self confidence is paramount in my line of work as well as life in general.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I’ve been in the Atlanta music scene for decades and have worked with some of the most talented musicians in the world. Some known and many unknown. All of them have been world class no matter their worldly recognition. Some of the best musicians I’ve worked with are not known by the masses. That doesn’t make them any less of a player. I’ve been very blessed in that aspect. That’s what I like the most.
Traffic, That’s what I like the least….. Yeah, Traffic…

Contact Info:

• Website: https://seanorourke.com/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/seanorourke