Imagine you're playing drums in a Pentecostal church service, and in a relatively short period of time you are opening up for Eric Clapton. Well, nonbelievers, it can happen! Just ask Marcus Randolph. Randolph, 23 is the hard-hitting drummer for the always electrifying Robert Randolph and the Family Band. If the namesake grabs you, it should: Marcus is Roberts' cousin. Hence we have one of the most exciting new acts to hit the music business in some time. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Marcus Roberts and talk about how it feels to be the latest young drummer on the rise.

     InsideCx: How long have you and Robert played music together?

     MR: Robert and I have been playing music together since we were 9 or 10 years old. We actually both played drums. I used to cry because he wouldn't let me play. We were playing in church and he always played the drums. Then he started playing the steel and I took over the drums. That's when I became the madman of the drums. (laughs)

     InsideCx: Tell us about your church background and how it plays a role in your music today.

     MR: It is real strong. When you grow up in church it is real hard to leave that background. It will always be in you. When we are out here playing, sometimes we may do a rock tune or a blues tune, but somehow we always fall back to the Pentecostal style or the sacred steel style. That's how it first got started. We started doing the sacred steel and a couple of people heard us and it started from there. We used to play this place called the Lakeside in New York City and Boom. No matter what, though, we always take things back to the gospel type of feel.

     InsideCx: Have you ever taken lessons or been to music school?

     MR: I never studied. I would just watch Rob play the drums. My brother and other kids at the church played and I would watch them. I know a lot of people take lessons and read books. I do it out of feeling. I like to create my own beats. I like my own style.

     InsideCx: Have you ever come across a situation where the musical aspect has to be a part of it? For example, "Play a 16th note on the toms during the third bar," etc.

     MR: In the studio, all the time. Producers will say, "Marcus, do an eighth part here, or stay on the one here." I tell them, "Listen, brother, you better come in here and clap what you want, or you play it and I'll come sit down and play it after you." I like the way I am doing it. I don't want to be like anyone else.

     InsideCx: Do you find that the physical and mental aspects of being on the road can affect your playing?

     MR: Oh, definitely. Sitting around, being lazy and being on the bus can get the best of you. Every hotel we go to I try to hit a treadmill. You have to stay in shape. Especially when you play the drums. You are the driving force behind it all. You take the music where it needs to be.

     InsideCx: What drums do you play?

     MR: Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and Evans heads.

     InsideCx: What is the most important lesson that you have learned as a gigging drummer?

     MR: I learned that you really have to be able to take shots from people. Producers will tell you that you need to play something different or even question your playing. However, these people have been in the business for a long time. Don't take it as criticism. You have to take it and move on.