Travis McNabb
Encyclopedia
Travis Aaron McNabb is a New Orleans-born and Nashville-based American
drummer
and percussionist. McNabb is perhaps best known as a longtime member of the band Better Than Ezra
, although he has performed session and touring work with many acts during his career. Prior to joining Better Than Ezra in January 1996, McNabb toured with acts such as Vigilantes of Love
, Beggars, and seminal Oregon-based punk rock
band The Wipers. Since mid-2007, he has been the full-time touring drummer with Grammy-award winning Country/Bluegrass act Sugarland.
Travis McNabb has equipment endorsement relationships with Pacific Drums/Drum Workshop
(DW) drums, Pro-Mark
drumsticks, Remo
drum heads, and Zildjian cymbals.
. His grandfather Edgar McNabb was a Bluegrass guitarist and dobro
player, and his father Richard played guitar in area Rock bands during the 1960s. McNabb initially dabbled in guitar and piano, but took up the drums at age 15.
By age 18, McNabb was already on the road, touring with Oregon-based punk
band The Wipers, and manning the drum set for what became their final tour. After finishing this stint, McNabb began several years of session and touring work with acts such as Vigilantes of Love
, Billy Pilgrim, Shawn Mullins
, and Indigo Girls
.
, and was hired to replace departing founding drummer Cary Bonnecaze. For the next 13 years, McNabb was a member of the band, playing countless live shows, as well recording four albums, a re-recorded rarities collection, non-album tracks for compilations and a greatest hits collection, and a live album/DVD release.
found himself writing songs for other artists, and bassist Tom Drummond
began producing other acts at the band's New Orleans recording facility, Fudge Studios. This break provided McNabb with the opportunity to return to his roots as a session and touring musician for hire while still maintaining his association with the band.
Upon hearing of his availability, former Billy Pilgrim bandmate Kristian Bush
contacted McNabb about playing some studio sessions for his new act, Country/Bluegrass duo Sugarland. After these recordings were completed, McNabb was offered a spot touring with the band, which he accepted. Beginning in August 2007, McNabb hit the road with Bush, his partner Jennifer Nettles
, and their backing band, playing shows in support of Sugarland's album Enjoy the Ride
. During this period, he continued to play sporadic shows with Better Than Ezra during special appearances and one-off bookings they accepted during their break.
in January 2009, Better Than Ezra made the announcement that McNabb would be leaving the band as a full-time member in order to concentrate on the increasing demands placed on his time due to Sugarland's brisk touring schedule. At the same time, McNabb's replacement was announced to be former Pleasure Club drummer Michael Jerome
. Both sides stressed the amicable nature of the parting, which was reinforced by the fact that McNabb remains on the board of Better Than Ezra's charitable organization The Ezra Foundation (a fund which focuses on the rebuilding of areas of New Orleans struck by Hurricane Katrina
). In addition, McNabb returned to the band briefly to play a set with Better Than Ezra during the victory party for the NFL's New Orleans Saints
upon the team's Super Bowl
win in early 2010. McNabb also appears as the drummer on several tracks of Better Than Ezra's 2009 release "Paper Empire
."
McNabb's official final performance with Better Than Ezra was at Family Fest in Metairie, Louisiana
on Feb. 15th, 2009.
," as well as several tracks on their Christmas-music collection "Gold and Green
."
During brief breaks in Sugarland's tour schedule, McNabb has also recently picked up road work with other current artists, including Brendan Benson
(of The Raconteurs
) and Country act Little Big Town
, as well as session work with artists such as Howie Day
, Dar Williams
, and Mandi Perkins
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and percussionist. McNabb is perhaps best known as a longtime member of the band Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
, although he has performed session and touring work with many acts during his career. Prior to joining Better Than Ezra in January 1996, McNabb toured with acts such as Vigilantes of Love
Vigilantes of Love
Vigilantes of Love is a rock band fronted by Bill Mallonee with a large number of secondary players drawn from the musician pool in and around Athens, Georgia...
, Beggars, and seminal Oregon-based punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band The Wipers. Since mid-2007, he has been the full-time touring drummer with Grammy-award winning Country/Bluegrass act Sugarland.
Travis McNabb has equipment endorsement relationships with Pacific Drums/Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop
Drum Workshop is a drum and hardware manufacturing company based in Oxnard, California. Their slogan is "The Drummer's Choice".-History:...
(DW) drums, Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark is a Houston, Texas-based American drumstick company owned by founder Herb Brochstein. It is a widely known stick company generally played in drum set, drum and bugle corps and concert bands.-History:...
drumsticks, Remo
Remo
Remo is a male given name of Latin origin - see Romulus and Remus.Remo may also refer to:* Remo, an American drum skin company* Remo , another name for the German wine grape Riesling* Remo language, a Panoan language of Brazil and Peru...
drum heads, and Zildjian cymbals.
Early career
Travis McNabb was born a third-generation musician in New Orleans, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. His grandfather Edgar McNabb was a Bluegrass guitarist and dobro
Dobro
Dobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
player, and his father Richard played guitar in area Rock bands during the 1960s. McNabb initially dabbled in guitar and piano, but took up the drums at age 15.
By age 18, McNabb was already on the road, touring with Oregon-based punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band The Wipers, and manning the drum set for what became their final tour. After finishing this stint, McNabb began several years of session and touring work with acts such as Vigilantes of Love
Vigilantes of Love
Vigilantes of Love is a rock band fronted by Bill Mallonee with a large number of secondary players drawn from the musician pool in and around Athens, Georgia...
, Billy Pilgrim, Shawn Mullins
Shawn Mullins
Shawn Mullins is an American singer-songwriter who specializes in folk rock, instrumental rock, adult alternative, and Americana music. He is best known for the 1998 single, "Lullaby", which hit number one on the Adult Top 40 and was nominated for a Grammy Award.-Career:Mullins was born in...
, and Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls
The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
.
Better Than Ezra
In January 1996, McNabb auditioned for New Orleans-based Alternative-Rock band Better Than EzraBetter Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
, and was hired to replace departing founding drummer Cary Bonnecaze. For the next 13 years, McNabb was a member of the band, playing countless live shows, as well recording four albums, a re-recorded rarities collection, non-album tracks for compilations and a greatest hits collection, and a live album/DVD release.
Sugarland
Following the better part of two decades on the road and in the studio, Better Than Ezra took a brief hiatus in early 2007. During this period, guitarist/songwriter Kevin GriffinKevin Griffin
Kevin Griffin is an American guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter.Griffin formed the alternative rock band Better Than Ezra in 1988. The band had great success in the 1990s with hits such as "Good", "In the Blood", and "Desperately Wanting", and has continued in the 2000s with hits such...
found himself writing songs for other artists, and bassist Tom Drummond
Tom Drummond (musician)
Tom Melville Drummond is an American musician. He is currently the bassist and background vocalist for the band, Better Than Ezra....
began producing other acts at the band's New Orleans recording facility, Fudge Studios. This break provided McNabb with the opportunity to return to his roots as a session and touring musician for hire while still maintaining his association with the band.
Upon hearing of his availability, former Billy Pilgrim bandmate Kristian Bush
Kristian Bush
Kristian Merrill Bush is an American folk rock and country musician. From 1990 to 2001, Kristian was a member of the folk rock duo Billy Pilgrim along with Andrew Hyra...
contacted McNabb about playing some studio sessions for his new act, Country/Bluegrass duo Sugarland. After these recordings were completed, McNabb was offered a spot touring with the band, which he accepted. Beginning in August 2007, McNabb hit the road with Bush, his partner Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles is an American country music artist. She is known primarily for her role as lead vocalist of the duo Sugarland alongside Kristian Bush. Before Sugarland's inception, she also fronted Atlanta, Georgia-based bands called Soul Miner's Daughter and Jennifer Nettles Band...
, and their backing band, playing shows in support of Sugarland's album Enjoy the Ride
Enjoy the Ride (Sugarland album)
Enjoy the Ride is the second album by the country duo Sugarland, released on November 7, 2006 on Mercury Nashville Records. The album is the first one released with Sugarland as a duo , as former member Kristen Hall had departed earlier in 2006.The album debuted at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 and...
. During this period, he continued to play sporadic shows with Better Than Ezra during special appearances and one-off bookings they accepted during their break.
in January 2009, Better Than Ezra made the announcement that McNabb would be leaving the band as a full-time member in order to concentrate on the increasing demands placed on his time due to Sugarland's brisk touring schedule. At the same time, McNabb's replacement was announced to be former Pleasure Club drummer Michael Jerome
Michael Jerome
Michael Jerome Moore, born in Wichita, Kansas, is an American rock musician and drummer. Jerome is a former member of the Toadies , Course of Empire and James Hall's band Pleasure Club, which was formed in 2002. He was also a member of the Saginaw, Texas band Pop Poppins...
. Both sides stressed the amicable nature of the parting, which was reinforced by the fact that McNabb remains on the board of Better Than Ezra's charitable organization The Ezra Foundation (a fund which focuses on the rebuilding of areas of New Orleans struck by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
). In addition, McNabb returned to the band briefly to play a set with Better Than Ezra during the victory party for the NFL's New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
upon the team's Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
win in early 2010. McNabb also appears as the drummer on several tracks of Better Than Ezra's 2009 release "Paper Empire
Paper Empire
Paper Empire is the seventh studio album by the New Orleans-based rock trio Better Than Ezra. It was released on May 12, 2009 by Red Distribution. It is the first album to feature new drummer Michael Jerome following the departure of former drummer Travis McNabb in February 2009 after 13 years...
."
McNabb's official final performance with Better Than Ezra was at Family Fest in Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie, Louisiana
Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...
on Feb. 15th, 2009.
Current
McNabb continues his association with Sugarland, playing drums at all of the band's live appearances at concert venues, as well as television specials and awards shows. In addition, he was the primary studio drummer on Sugarland's 2010 release "The Incredible MachineThe Incredible Machine (album)
The Incredible Machine is the fourth studio album by American country music duo Sugarland. It was released on October 19, 2010 via Mercury Nashville Records. Byron Gallimore along with both members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush teamed up for production of the album.Upon its release, The...
," as well as several tracks on their Christmas-music collection "Gold and Green
Gold and Green
Gold and Green is the first Christmas album from country music duo Sugarland. The album was released on October 13, 2009 via Mercury Records Nashville...
."
During brief breaks in Sugarland's tour schedule, McNabb has also recently picked up road work with other current artists, including Brendan Benson
Brendan Benson
Brendan Benson is an American musician and songwriter. He sings and plays guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, and drums. He has released four solo albums and is a member of the band The Raconteurs....
(of The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs
The Raconteurs is an American rock band that was formed in Detroit, Michigan, featuring four members known for other musical projects: Jack White , Brendan Benson , Jack Lawrence , and Patrick Keeler .-Formation:The...
) and Country act Little Big Town
Little Big Town
Little Big Town is an American country music vocal group. Founded in 1998, the group has comprised the same four members since its inception: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Phillip Sweet. The quartet's musical style relies heavily on four-part vocal harmonies, with all...
, as well as session work with artists such as Howie Day
Howie Day
Howard Kern "Howie" Day is an American singer-songwriter. Beginning his career as a solo artist in the late 1990s, Day became known for his extensive touring and in-concert use of samplers and effects pedals in order to accompany himself...
, Dar Williams
Dar Williams
Dar Williams is an American singer-songwriter specializing in pop folk.She is a frequent performer at folk festivals and has toured with such artists as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco, The Nields, Shawn Colvin, Girlyman, Joan Baez, and Catie Curtis.-Biography:Williams was born...
, and Mandi Perkins
Mandi Perkins
Mandi Perkins is a Canadian songwriter and lead singer of the band of Verona.-Early Career and School:Mandi Perkins was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her ambitions inspired a move to California to pursue both a career in music and to attend UC Berkeley where she graduated with Honors with a...
.