In this episode of Freddy and Friends, Freddy sits down with drummer Greg Clark Jr., fresh off tour with Will Smith and coming off a jazz tribute run with Ledisi. From his roots in the D.C. church scene to high-pressure TV gigs with Ricky Minor and fusion shows with Stanley Clarke, Greg breaks down what it really takes to build a long, sustainable music career. They talk groove versus chops, negotiating your rate, the politics of the bandstand, and how D.C. basements forged a generation of monsters. Greg’s philosophy? “The shed is for you. The gig is for the song.” Key Moments Church roots, D.C. culture, and why the scene raised killers Lessons from Aaron Spears and the “basement wars” The unspoken rules of professionalism and accountability Real-world gig stories: Will Smith, Snarky Puppy, Stanley Clarke The art of negotiation and unity among working drummers Learning from failure and why consistency wins Favorite albums that changed his playing Why groove always beats chops Where to Find Greg Instagram: @gregclarkjr Website: gregclarkjr.com