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ConversationsRadio
Ep.233
Burleigh Drummond
Drummer
Friday
October 9th, 2026
Mike and returning co-host, bassist Leland Sklar
welcomed Grammy nominated drummer
Burleigh Drummond to ConversationsRadio!
​Mike and returning cohost, legendary bassist Leland Sklar are thrilled to welcome
Ambrosia drummer Burleigh Drummond to ConversationsRadio.
​
Born in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Burleigh is a self-proclaimed army brat. Both of his parents were in the U.S. Army and relocated often. Eventually, stationed in Turkey, he became interested in the percussion arts and by 5th grade, began drum lessons. He was influenced by watching Turkish artisans hammering and bending large copper plates. This is where his love for the drums began.
Fast forward to the 70’s, four musicians, David Pack, Christopher North, Burleigh Drummond and Joe Puerta came together in a living room for a two-hour jam. This is the beginning of the band Ambrosia.
Mary Harris, Burleigh Drummond, Shem von Schroeck, Joe Puerta and Doug Jackson
For more than 50 years, Ambrosia is going strong with a huge international following of Prog Rock and
Yacht Rock fans. As a founding member of the band, Burleigh has been nominated for 5 Grammy awards, had 5 charted top 10 singles and has contributed and performed on 300+ recordings. As well, he has written over 100 songs and has engineered and produced numerous projects. He has had the opportunity to share stages with Frank Zappa, Michael McDonald, Alan Parsons, Kenny Loggins and a number of outstanding bands and musicians.
In addition to his drumming gig with Ambrosia, Burleigh is also the founder of ‘Tin Drum Family Band’ and is still touring and recording with both bands.
Burleigh stays busy! Between Ambrosia and Tin Drum, he is playing shows everywhere!
Follow Burleigh Drummond on Instagram @burleighdrummondofficial
You can follow Ambrosia as well @ambrosiatheband
For updates and show dates, check out
AmbrosiaLive.net & TinDrumMusic.com​
About Our Cohost
Leland Sklar
​It’s great having legendary bassist Leland Sklar back with us on ConversationsRadio! A friend of the podcast, Leland first joined us as in 2019 and has cohosted numerous times.
With more than 2000 albums to his credit, I can honestly say that somewhere in the world right now, there is a Leland Sklar bass line playing on one of the 25,000 songs he has lent his talents to. A native of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Leland and his family headed West to Southern California early on. He began piano lessons when he was 4 years old and quickly became a prodigy. By junior high, he had all of the intentions of pursuing piano further. However, his music teacher suggested that he have a go on the string bass because the school was overstocked with fine pianists. Leland grabbed the string instrument and held it close. It just felt right and it was that moment Leland Sklar’s trajectory changed.
He continued his music studies at California State University Northridge and soon met James Taylor! Again, a life changing moment. Sklar often credits Taylor for keeping him interested and considers it his big break. Suddenly, Leland Sklar was in demand and found success as a session bassist.
It’s much easier to ask who Leland Sklar has not played with. Most recently, he has been busy touring with country singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett Leland and in joined Phil Collins in 2021 on his farewell U.S. tour.
It wasn't long before he returned to the studio for projects with singer songwriter
Judith Owen and with friends Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Steve Postell and Russ Kunkle - together again as 'The Immediate Family'.
Leland’s signature bass can be heard on hit songs from Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, TOTO, Linda Ronstadt, Helen Reddy, Hall & Oates and so many more. He has also been called on by tv and film music directors to bring his session skills to a number of productions.
Leland was recently in Nashville, Tennessee and received the honor of being inducted in to the Musicians Hall of Fame!
The Award-Winning documentary 'the Immediate Family Film' is available to watch on YouTube and other
streaming services.
Check out Leland's website lelandsklarsbeard.com and his book, 'Everybody Loves Me.’ on and You can follow
Leland on Instagram @leland.sklar
Mike and Leland had an amazing chat with drummer and Ambrosia founding member Burleigh Drummond.
Enjoy the Podcast!
ConversationsRadio
Ep.233
Burleigh Drummond
Drummer
Friday
October 9th, 2026
