Life As a Cruise Ship Musician!! Part 1 (About The Gig)

Here is what Life as a Cruise Ship Musician is like with all of the different shows I have to perform, all the places I get to travel too, and all of the different obstacles and lifestyles I experience while on board! Enjoy!
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[@DavidColaDrums]

For all of you curious about the guitar player clip, watch this 😂. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2Wmmn-im9CChqs

[@rodm.g.2809]

Do you ever play something like Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Strokes, Audioslave, Muse???

[@motorman857]

Having the ability to sight read music and play it exactly as written with almost no rehearsal time is a true gift. I've always been amazed by musicians who could do that well.

[@barbaravyse660]

Ride Like a Pro Jerry Palladino Me too but I don’t understand how people can play just by ear.

[@motorman857]

@@barbaravyse660 That's easy compared to sight reading. The chords follow a progression. But reading the melody, that's hard.

[@xeqpuis]

practice. practice. practice.

[@jimtalltheislandbrothers6639]

@@barbaravyse660 Play by ear is so easy. Sight reading is hard.

[@woutervanopbergen6730]

Nope, not a gift. Just takes a lot of practice.

[@leaguemaskthaamumugod7552]

First indicator this isn't a good idea - stoked to return to Cleveland

[@ralphreign8816]

Thats just touring. ITs a magical experience byt there aint no place like home.

[@leaguemaskthaamumugod7552]

Before I initiate a pseudo-flame war, let it be known that this, the original, and all further comments are meant in light humor. With that being said... There's home, and then there's continuing to choose Cleveland as your home as an adult in the 21st century with options.

[@thomasmacmanus9913]

You should be from there or very familiar to talk shit like that tho.......Thems fighting words.

[@leaguemaskthaamumugod7552]

@@thomasmacmanus9913 Me: Provides full disclosure all comments are meant in jest You: FIGHT ME BRO We have found another Clevelander

[@thomasmacmanus9913]

Ehhh, Have you ever even been in Ohio? Just sayin' I wouldnt talk like that unless I had direct experience. You insulted the guys hometown and then you assume I wanna fight you. So far you seem like kind of a dick. Maybe work on your personality a little bit more. Just sayin!

[@kylegeee]

Did the ship gig for 4 years. It's a completely surreal lifestyle once you're in it. You do a really great job of highlighting to pros/cons of it all. I think you have to be in your 20s to fully appreciate the gig for everything that it is, and that it teaches you about "professional" life as a musician. After rehearsing so proficiently on the ship all those years, rehearsals on land all feel painfully long now. I had the pleasure/displeasure of knowing a lot of older guys who did the gig for too long and got very dark about ship life. Your time there largely depends on the people you're surrounded by, and if you surround yourself with positive people it's easy to also be positive and happy all the time, instead of getting dark on the gig. Everyone wants to care about the music, and call "Bolivia" at the open sessions, but you learn to cater the guests and read the room (VERY important entertainment skill). It's a gig for young people to get their chops together and move on to something bigger and better.

[@DavidColaDrums]

Yup! You get it completely. Trust me, now that I am on land, the effective rehearsal times are definitely out the door. And also, I definitely found the darkness on board! They treat musicians very poorly in many cases, and now are struggling to find musicians at all, so most often we get stuck with so many cats that just can't play. It was easy to see how one person could just bring down the whole band and show!

[@guitargod6997]

@@DavidColaDrums David, is there an age limitation for the musicians? I imagine one needs to be versatile in terms of styles and a good reader of notation. But that pay doesn't look that bad for while.

[@sarahlee8022]

Thx for sharing

[@nostradamus1233]

@Jay DeLuca Hey, might be able to answer this in some way. No, not really. (as in high side, low side is usual 21 years of age.) I am Tech on board, and saw a lot of different age groups, from young to old.

[@chelcie3]

Jay DeLuca My brother is over 50 and has been doing the ships as a music director on and off for over 20 yrs. The older guys get dark about it because it’s sometimes the only thing that pays. You younger cats will see. Look at the environment. People don’t care about actual musicians anymore. They want whoever is on tv at the moment. If schools don’t want to teach music then what will happen? So that’s why that shitty guitarist will still get hired because some cats think they’re too good to WORK as a musician and want to get on The Voice. Real musicians grind and appreciate the work that one day may not exist. Go to New Orleans and talk to some members if The Preservation Hall. They’ll explain it better than me

[@kurtkelley6929]

I remember from my Disney boat days. I had saved up over $12,000 cash during a 4 month contract. Meanwhile, most of the rest of the band members blew their pay at casinos and high end excursions, and only had their last paycheck left to their name. So when the contract ended, they were all desperate to jump into something else right away, while I took some time just traveling around the country for a couple of months.

[@DavidColaDrums]

Kurt Kelley you forget to mention the other people blowing money on alcohol 😂. But that is great!

[@randomswedishdude]

So they blew their money on excursions during work time, and you blew yours on an excursion a while later.

[@OwenGilmoreOG]

Good for you! It's amazing how shortsighted some people are.

[@VWGTI2013]

@@randomswedishdude He traveled though.

[@bpivr]

So, theoretically, you could save $36K a year. You’re not getting rich, but it’s not too bad for a young musician that also gets to play and travel the world. It’s a job for the young.

[@devkort]

For anyone considering a cruise gig you have to take the size of the ship into account. This dude works on a huge ship with tons of musicians and so he doesn't have to work very much. I'm currently on a small, luxury line with only a few musicians and we work 5+ hours a day.

[@ctdvargas]

Dude you know most people work 8 to 12 hours a day right...

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

5 whole hours?

[@LanceWillMakeIt]

@@PNW_Sportbike_Life like, the entirety of 5 sets of 60 minutes?

[@mattshay9393]

Why is everyone in this thread so hostile? He didn't say it was a bad thing, just pointing out something to consider. I mean wouldn't you take the gig that paid more for less work?

[@darrellhall4175]

Sure you work 8 hours, but it's probably doing 2 or 3 tasks. 5+ hours a day that involves scanning for 10-15 mins memorizing and playing something you've never heard before and within 20 mins, be able to play it with 4 strangers that have a different natural rhythm than you. It IS fewer hours, but it's 10x higher paced and stresses

[@michaelking42]

David nice video, thanks for sharing. I worked on cruise ships for 5 years, and this brings back all the great memories (and the bad), the travel, the people, and the crew bar...wow good times. The money you can save is outrageous. I started out as a photographer, then worked in the gift shop, and finally a few years as art auctioneer (with passenger status). I met my wife on one of the cruises (she was a passenger), and we've been married 12 years now with 2 delightful daughters. Again, great video. You remind me of a few people I was friends with on the ships. Travel safe mate.

[@dalemelancon7597]

I was a vocalist onboard for Celebrity in the production cast. It was a lot of fun, and I always had a ton of sympathy for y’all as musicians. You’re a fantastic drummer. Congrats on finishing your contract, and good luck to you❤️

[@nbt3663]

Lol nothing like a background 4/4 with a song gala of songs from a guy trying to show every one he can play all their favorites. But you kept it going.

[@DavidColaDrums]

NBT 3 haha, it was quite the struggle 😂

[@tissuepaper9962]

Especially when the guy who's playing over you just cannot lock in to save his life.

[@leftygeezer]

@@DavidColaDrums that was a bit awkward :)

[@jowpro]

@@DavidColaDrums Hey my tub brother, why did you NOT follow him even though he had bad time? He was the lead, bad or not. To me as a side man drummer, you were being a "prick". Seriously, why did you not follow him?

[@DavidColaDrums]

@@jowpro Oh Trust me, I asked him, but he explicitly told me to not change the tempo and to not play anything different than what was written. Mainly because that section was in the middle of a song. It was a vamp, so if I had followed him and changed tempos it would be more difficult to bring the whole band back into the original tempo and back into the original song we were playing. This dude literally made me play this beat over and over again as he went completely out of time, literally, blatantly ignoring me haha.

[@tyecook9630]

That dude playing guitar at 6:40 freaking killed me!...I actually thought it was a comedy sketch at first...

[@beckyp9633]

"Got a nice steady beat goin..." enter guitarist.. "...The Beatles!" guitarist plays like he is just learning the song.... God I laughed out loud so hard my dogs were all like wtf??!! LOL!

[@therugburnz]

If that guitar guy is good enough to play with you. Sign me up. I can torture R&R that g--bad. Did I say bad. I meant sounded entertaining. Seriously hook me up. I'm good enough to be up front according to what I saw. How many different bands/groups are one a large ship? All the acts I ever saw were stock crap Tuxedo lounge standards.

[@Immanuel11.11]

lol

[@barrettjensen1542]

Guitarists just coming in wherever they want...its what they do.

[@noneofyourbeeswax01]

If you don't drink or gamble it's a great way of saving up a bit of cash.

[@officialWWM]

I loved how he just kept holding the beat and let the guy play out of time 😂

[@jerroldtidwell]

You've effectively convinced me. I wouldn't tolerate this crap for a New York minute. Great video, bro.

[@DavidColaDrums]

Haha, trust me, its difficult! I didn't even show the bad stuff! Thanks!

[@jerroldtidwell]

DavidColaDrums A friend just retired from doing piano bar work with Carnival. I would probably love it, but drink way too much. 😂

[@radio22king]

Nice job. I am also a drummer and worked several cruise ships starting when I was 18. This was before the internet. There were 4 or 5 bands on the first ship I was on and we would start a jam session after the last main show. We would play until 5-6 in the morning. Have breakfast and sleep until noon or 1 and then go out in port and rent motorcycles etc. Most of the time was spent with beautiful girls that were passengers and there were different ones every week. Playing jazz, traveling the world and making new friends. You are right! Great experience for playing shows. The only thing is there are not too many gigs like that on land now as there were years ago. I was fortunate to have my own cabin. So I could listen to jazz all day. One time on the way to get on the ship in Florida, I stopped at south of the border. They sell fireworks and they were in South Carolina. I bought a bunch of bottle rockets m80s etc. well 4th of July rolled around and the whole showband went on deck and we lit off all the bottle rockets from the top deck. Well.... at least 50 boats came to rescue us as they thought it was a distress call. We all got fined and confined to our cabins for a week.

[@DannyELoi]

Hi Bobby, I too am a drummer recalling the days of playing in Hawaii when I was 21. (I live in Burbank CA) Now I am 61 and no longer doing anything like that. I am glad to hear that you are out there kicking butt (and still young enough to do so). You must be a fine player to be where you are. Keep up the good work man!!

[@beatlesrgear]

LOL!!! Who did those rescuers think you guys were? The Titanic in 1912?! :)

[@eztimesaverz]

fuckn hell times have changed eh?

[@mal2ksc]

Getting away with "coning" is one of the primary reasons to have friends in Security. If you are seen in or leaving a passenger cabin, you SHOULD be fired, but a friendly security guard is likely to say "Don't be here in two minutes when I come by again".

[@hughesevents]

David you are such a talented guy, numerous styles, different shows and artists. To read through, rehearse for an hour and play...that's Incredible

[@loudog1547]

so i found your channel from Gabe (drum beats online) and I have to say david that i have a ton of respect for you and A LOT of props to you for being able to sight read music and doing that with different genres all the time. that is flat out TALENT!!! no other way to put it. idk how you don't have atleast 100k subs!!! i love your channel and love the content!!!

[@DavidColaDrums]

Hey LJ! That means everything to me! I am just doing my best to get by as everyone else! I am glad you enjoy the content as well. Gabe has been a big influence of mine to want to start making more consistent content for sure!

[@markm4596]

When some guy parallel parks a cruise ship better than you can park a car

[@Futurebeefcake]

Mark M hate to break it to you, but they have propellers the are designed to make the ship drive sideways for docking. If only our cars had tires that turned sideways making parallel parking a breeze

[@trottheblackdog]

It takes a village to park a cruise ship

[@majcrash]

@@Futurebeefcake There are cars with 4 wheel steering, but parallel parking isn't hard. You just need to use your mirrors. Some people (like my wife) refuse to do this.

[@Futurebeefcake]

majcrash 😂😂😂😂 true on the first statement. Bless your wife’s heart lmao

[@nbt3663]

@@trottheblackdog Toby!! That was good!

[@BrianMDIY]

I was a regionally touring musician for some time and gave up music all together about 5 years ago. I can totally relate to your positive attitude about the experiences you're getting. Thanks for sharing your story, it's refreshing. (also a Cle native myself)

[@formerlyerdoys9176]

First time watcher. Dude, sweet beats! We want you to come to Oregon and replace our drummer. You can break the news to him when you get here. Tell him you saw bigfoot outside and then point to the woods. He will run out to see and then you come inside and lock him out. Deal?

[@DavidColaDrums]

The Erdoys Deal 😂😂😂. Haha! I appreciate the offer for sure 😅

[@formerlyerdoys9176]

@@DavidColaDrums This is JB. We dig you. Leyele says he would gladly run after a sasquatch. Come join. His brother Keyele would lay down some chunky bass riffs.

[@johnharvey5381]

Worked for Royal Caribbean in the 90's. Your description sounds pretty accurate. It was crazy. Heinekens were seventy cents. The musicians are given a lot more liberties than some of the other employees. I wish I had taken it a bit more seriously.

[@Tattood-gv9fk]

Not a drummer "guitarist", but I must say this was awesome to see how things work for musicians. You are living a fantastic experience as I'm sure you know already. Definitely beats playing the same venues in the same ol town for the same ol pay then sitting on the couch watching life pass you by. Well done.

[@kurtkelley6929]

Cool and informative. I was a contract bassist on Disney and Princess ships. But in the party bands, not the orchestra. I cant read a note...but I have a heck of an ear! You stressed the same things I would. Musos can eat at the buffet, and use the guest gym, except when crowded. Its all common sense stuff. It can be a lucrative gig if you are smart, and dont blow your paychecks at casinos and fancy restaurants in port. Eat on the ship, its FREE! Sheesh!

[@DavidColaDrums]

Haha, you mean blow your money on alcohol!!

[@mal2ksc]

Getting to eat the local cuisine is part of the fun, but that doesn't mean you have to spend a lot on it. First, food is cheap in many countries, even when it's high quality. If that's the case where you're going, enjoy the hell out of it. You don't know if/when you'll get to do that again. We used to frequent a Chinese restaurant in Ensenada -- not because the food was prepared amazingly (it was good, but not unusually so), but because he received a fresh shipment of shrimp and other seafood every afternoon, straight from the boat. Getting to eat something practically the moment it reaches land is an experience not available on the ship.This is understandable, as they need to operate to a plan and cannot easily accommodate variation in what comes in one day as opposed to the next. But that doesn't mean _you_ can't take that risk.

[@juliecortelezzi1776]

DAVID!!!!! I'm so stinkin' proud of you!!! How sweet of you to include me in your vid!!! I love watching your life and career evolve!!! Love you!!! ❤️😘❤️

[@elouise5593]

Small world, right!

[@johndenicola6173]

My wife and I took our first cruise this past summer. I was AMAZED how TIGHT the band (aka "Cruise orchestra") was for the different shows/genres that were played. With playing all the genres, styles, unexpected changes (when you may have committed your bloopers) REALLY gave you a solid all around background in not becoming a great drummer, but an ACCOMPLISHED percussionist. Good luck to you, I believe you are onto a very interesting and successful career!

[@russclark6780]

Excellent video and nice playing. Been a solo entertainer for RCCL, Norwegian, and Disney for years. Can't believe they pay us to do this. Lol. Subscribed. You've probably seen his channel but check out Where is Danny Black.

[@DavidColaDrums]

Russ Clark haha that’s awesome! Danny Black is the man! One of the first people I saw that shared the life on a ship! Definitely had to give my take after seeing him!

[@TheRoneZone]

If anyone's interested in taking a contract with Carnival Cruise Line, I'll be posting some vlogs in the coming weeks and months about their cover band position. I'm in rehearsals right now so I am able to cover the entire process from start to finish.

[@quentinmagoon7807]

6:41 That one friend you have that thinks he can play the guitar, but really he knows like 2 or 3 riffs and plays them completely off beat

[@judsonsnell]

You went straight metal on "Let The Sunshine In". I respect that.

[@ArnieJames666]

David Cola, I'm Arnie Odell, and I play the drums. This is this first I've heard/seen of you but I'm already a fan. You seem like a really cool dude and this video was fascinating. Thank you for sharing this insight into what a cruise ship musician goes through day to day. I come from a punk/metal background and I've never even thought about this side of a "touring musician". Truly inspiring man.

[@jamstrat]

Lock this man up!!! He absolutely murdered that kit!!

[@gabesosa1040]

You smile a lot when you talk

[@GiovanniGarry]

thats how he got the gig :)

[@MarinRayado]

gabe sosa ok? So?

[@DavidColaDrums]

;)

[@Mike-dy8bq]

Of course he is....he's living the dream man!

[@YeshurunMusic]

@gabe sosa I think that's a good problem to have.. =) Have a wonderful day. =D

[@LanceCampeau]

Did it for 5 years... was a great experience.

[@dougauwarter2500]

You're a fine, well-versed drummer. Enjoyed watching your playing clips! Best of luck with a continuing successful career!

[@marconeill9510]

That Beatles, stones medley was blood curdling 😂

[@chuckkline2970]

So in other words... you got drunk and thought it would be a good idea to play drums at 4am TWICE! LOL

[@DavidColaDrums]

Chuck Kline shhh

[@stumaclean111]

Great insight as to what a musician's life is like aboard ship. I spent 33 years in the Canadian military and had friends encourage me to do cruise ships after I retired. One of my good friends is a drummer and Berkley grad but much before your time. Another has been doing cruise ships as a drummer for years. Wishing you the best!

[@MrDavemiley]

I did a SOLO act for Carnival Cruise Lines ( 6 contracts from 2005 through 2008 ) It was a wonderful experience for the 1st four contracts. The attitude of the staff varies from ship to ship. You could not get me back on the Carnival Ecstasy at Gun Point !! The Conquest was really nice !

[@mondellomusic]

Thank you for posting. This is good preparation for my planned retirement gig - "cruise ship gigolo".

[@uncleelmer]

Good drummer. I knew a guy who played on ships. Wild man and he loved every minute. Crazy guy. You also sound like you are having fun too.

[@Rob-dp3vr]

I played Royal Carribbean cruises 1991-1992. I was 21 years old. I loved the experience but it also was lonely even know I was constantly with different women and got to see different ports. The funny thing is that while performing I had fun but also felt like it was not very challenging and kind of robotic. Just a hired gun. But now years later, still playing professionally, when I meet new folks and tell them I have been playing professionally for 30 years and mention having played cruise ships, they always say "oh wow, cruise ships? You must be pretty good." Lol. But to me, I could name countless achievements and performances that I would rank ahead of that experience.

[@hairyd61]

Thanks for this post David. I was on the 'Mariner of the Seas' as part of a cocktail band, played with the same guys for 4 months and no need to sight read. However the perks were that, even though we were classed as crew, we weren't restricted as to where we could eat and got staff discount. great times.

[@Samlol23_drrich]

You know why you work three hours a day?? Because you have a TALENT that nobody else has. And you should be proud. Sightread through for an hour and play 2 shows? Not many could do that.

[@rorrante]

Great video, enjoyed it ! I'm a guitarist and always wondered what it would be like to play on a cruise ship. Now I know I never want to do it, lol. Way to go, You Rock !

[@aquamanwatercare]

rorrante is

[@victoke]

great drumming ♫♫ from age 11 my first private teacher only took students who would start reading lessons before picking up a stick and pad.. from then to now I carry one of the drum bibles, Stick Control with me and other music charts and practice reading where ever I am. So now having almost mastered (not really but close) "Prima Vista" (great sight reading) I have become a session drummer making a good living recording everything including 12 second radio bumper music/jingles, and occasionally playing trios out at uppity private parties and weddings, always with diff musicians almost every time and handed new charts. The cruise angle never dawned on me.???

[@007stuntman3]

Wow! Your subject was far from my thoughts, but when I clicked on your video looking for a completely different subject, and began hearing you speak about your life as a musician on a cruise ship, your manner and personality grabbed my attention, I wanted to hear more and I did...very interesting life my friend, very interesting indeed, I don't even know you and I felt proud for you doing what you love, thank you for sharing...

[@JeffinBville]

My buddy does a "dueling pianos" thing on ships - you may have run into him, Tommy Orr. He also just finished a Balkan and a Mediterranean cruise. Anyway, he says it is how you say it is but he gets out more. Maybe it's the cruise line but I'm pretty sure he can use anything the guests are using (the crowding issue stands, of course). But a deck chair outside or by the pool or hanging out with guests seems to keep him tanned.

[@DavidColaDrums]

JeffinBville it depends on the cruise line for sure, some are more strict than others, and depending on how they treat you, which it seems like he is more of a guest entertainer where as I am just a low level musician with shared crap cabins

[@HOMEY63a]

DavidColaDru

[@AaronSpencer]

I don't even play drums and I watched both videos. Fascinating.

[@murrayperry7111]

Ya man I know. I was a staff drummer for N.C.L. on the Norway for 12 yrs. It was such a great learning exp. Honored to be Cruise Ship Drummer. Great time. Keep on Doing it.

[@benf340]

One of the most important but also fun parts of drumming is sight reading so it’s good that you get to do that

[@masbass1011]

Oh my gosh as a musician 7:05 was the funniest thing Ive seen in a while. Im still laughing.

[@mikemcgibney]

Nice video - I've only done 4 contracts and they were nice and short on quite a posh ship. Enjoyed the clips from your gigs. Nice editing! And playing, obviously!

[@DavidColaDrums]

Mike McGibney thanks a ton! I did a total of 4 contracts as well. Some short, some long. But overall it was good!

[@nbt3663]

I would assume this helps your over all playing. Piccaro you will be ~ Yoda. He learned to play with everybody! (Well I think all drummers and musicians would find the most satisfaction being confident playing with anyone.) I think Piccaro loved that, it seemed more than just a life long group and 30 songs. IDK, thoughts?

[@willb5240]

It obviously takes a lot of talent, patience, and work to handle a gig like this. I've always been curious about how it works for the contracted ship musicians, so it's cool to hear it first hand from a drummer actually doing it. I'm sure it has it's moments but it appears that you're having more fun than not, so keep it up and enjoy your travels. Great drumming!

[@louisemahoney2716]

Hey Dude! This is the only time I (a keyboard player) has EVER been in envy of a drummer (and I have played with some GREAT drummers). I can't imagine the degree of accommodation that you can bring to the variety of styles that you are asked to accompany. If I were just a few years younger (@ 70 - Never Too Old Too Rock & Roll If You're Too Young Too Die) I would be looking to snag just this gig!

[@engineer6250]

My first cruise was with a mat. We did it on the cheap and had an internal cabin. It’s amazing what you don’t know about people until you share a small enclosed space with them, like, oh I don’t know, he has really bad guts and farts constantly. I swear he was the root cause of my asthma....

[@beatlesrgear]

LOL!!!!!!! :)

[@marquezdrums]

Great vid and very accurate run-down of what the gig is generally like. I'm a drummer from Cleveland originally and worked on ships about ten years (several on Celebrity). I've seen your vids playing with big Mike and really like your playing. Wish I could have gotten a chance to hang in Cle with you. Looking forward to hearing what your next gig is.

[@DavidColaDrums]

Brent Marquez haha! That is awesome! And trust me, I did leave a lot out of the video. Especially the drinking part. But that is another video for another day 😂. I’ll make a more realistic look at what my days are like on board soon enough! I’ll be sure to tell Mike you said hello 😏. And I’ll be back home in November and I’d definitely love to hang!

[@marquezdrums]

DavidColaDrums - Yeah there's that and boat drills, red code, poss. extra duties... Will be fun to hear what's changed and what hasn't in your future vids-I haven't been out in a couple years now, last Celebrity gig was several years ago before they jacked the single share cabins from the orchestra musicians on Solstice class ships. I loved working with Mike. Looking forward to your vids and enjoy the remainder of your contract.

[@josephgurzynski1053]

Great post!!!! You are a fantastic musician and deserve all the perks in the world.

[@skeeter197140]

Ahhh...Galactic. Seen 'em 3 times. Awesome band! Stanton Moore is the man!

[@bluenosemassmedia2996]

I had that gig in my late twenties, got laid a lot. Great memories.

[@XyanGuitar]

Yes sir! Yeees siiir!! That's the best part 😂😂

[@tylergatewood1652]

I’m a solo acoustic guy that sings. I play locally but I feel like this would be a cool gig! Do they take people like me?

[@XyanGuitar]

@tyler most definitely

[@samratbomjan3690]

I play solo guitar instrumentals too. Do they take people like me? And how can I get into this biz?

[@alexleedrums311]

Man, your experience is exactly like mine. I played drums on NCL for a while, and had the time of my life! Can’t believe it’s been almost 10 years since my last contract. You’re lucky you got 10 days of rehearsals before your contract! I got zero rehearsal and got thrown into the show that most of the cast already had been playing for months on my first day! I have a wife and kids now, but it would be awesome to do another contract sometime. Keep it up David! I’m subscribed now.

[@DavidColaDrums]

AlexLeeDrums haha! Oh trust me! They only recently started doing rehearsals for the bands, but my first contract I was the only new member in entertainment when I joined and everyone had been on board for 3 months prior! It was quite a rough start 😂. A good learning experience though! Thanks for the sub! Much appreciated!

[@aecnqewimnazxclwdxl]

I've played drums since 5th grade, in multiple hobby bands (nothing serious), and always wondered what it would have been like if I had applied myself seriously to a career. This video pretty much convinced me that (a) I had a long way to go to be qualified for it; and (b) the grind would have killed me. I got seasick just seeing the windowless room you're in -- seriously. And I probably would have walked offstage during the dude you're backing at 6:40. Wow. Anyway, great video man -- thanks for posting it up.

[@justmyself1000]

Enjoyed this! What I enjoyed the most is your personality! You are also a skilled musician. (Musician myself) I hope you realize how skilled you are? Not anyone can sight read, then play.....Please don't let an "employer" exploit your skill. You deserve better treatment from your employer. Not only your skill, but your flexibility. How many musicians do you know are not diva enough to change up their style and play outside their box!?! You know!?! If I were putting together a band, I would look for you!

[@mikelawson6456]

Did you say Galactic!? Damn...they are righteous

[@danlundepercussion8174]

Solid, descriptive and fun video man!

[@mattdickey2717]

Awesome video, please keep them coming. Fantastic drummer as well.

[@RexWaldron]

Great summary of what goes on in the life a cruise ship musician. My son is recently back from his first cruise ship contract as a a drummer and what you say here very much lines up with what he described to me. He even sent me a photo of that square in Cadiz :) Fortunately he was never ever seasick - it would be a major issue if you were I guess! You have to be good at what you do and dedicated to it to survive in this role I think and you clearly are both. I'm sure the work will keep coming in for you!

[@victormendes1122]

Was Kimberly Nichole there? People usually work 11 to 12 hours in a ship. Incluide myself. To work 4- 5 hours it would be perfect.

[@thecanadianbassgearshow3332]

HAHAHA i used to work for celebrity ! When i saw Dom i laugh so much !!!

[@DavidColaDrums]

daniel drapeau haha! No way. Dom is my boy!!

[@douglassloan6831]

Dude, you are a GREAT player. Can't wait to see how far you go with this. Good luck to you. Really nice playing!

[@slackerprince1]

That cabin would be paradise for me. 😊 I need it dark for sleeping. Great vid. You’ll be working steady with your drumming and being a quick study.

[@DerrickSchneider]

You're such a good drummer!!

[@benjavk34]

My name is David Cola, and I play drums *weird dab*

[@masakela123]

You are really talented. I love your passion and ability to play a variety of styles well.

[@DeafBunnysBand]

Great video! We've played with tons of cruise musicians over the years and you guys are awesome and generous performers! It's nice to know what you go through when you're not around the shows!

[@terryperring104]

DavidColaDrums Let's talk about...your ears. Do you wear ear plugs? Professional or just cheap foam ones? I looked for them, but couldnt see any. (But, I realise that they can be invisible in some cases.) I hope you do, because, if you have 3 hours of loud drumming EVERY single night, and do that for years, you will be pretty hard of hearing by the age of 35. You'll be straining to hear sibilance. (Also- look after the liver with milk thistle)

[@carloscastellanos7229]

He's using IEM's - Looks like a shure brand. They have plenty of noise cancellation to protect your ears

[@conc3rt5]

what did you do after the snare's head broke?

[@xxMARKUSss]

yes pls post that. love that

[@DavidColaDrums]

Haha! I yelled over to my MD and he signaled to an tech that my snare was broken and they got another snare for me within 3 songs haha!

[@markmailloux4472]

@james crowe...I can't spare a snare. I haven't got a snare to spare. :)

[@DavidColaDrums]

Sounds like you haven’t worked on a ship where all the snares are broken and sound like crap. So no spares right behind me 😂

[@DavidColaDrums]

Haha you are funny my dude! Thanks for your feedback! Greatly appreciated 😌

[@kimedmond4887]

Interesting video the fact that you play so many genres so effortlessly is cool.

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

Very cool gig!! All the interesting places to visit and paid to be a working musician, can't beat that. It seems like you get to play with a lot of good musicians as well as some lame ones, but overall a good experience.

[@ryancox5097]

Really informative video, man. And your playing sounds great. Did you go through one of the staffing agencies, or did you audition for one of the lines directly?

[@DavidColaDrums]

Ryan Cox just went through an entertainment company and did an online audition and they sent me a contract!

[@ryancox5097]

@@DavidColaDrums, I did that too. I'm just wondering how to audition for the lines directly. I've heard of people doing it, but I don't know any of the details.

[@joesosa41]

You keep saying "no sunlight" like I am not a vampire that loves conplete darkness in my room 24/7 Lol

[@LisaLizTrombone]

Great video! I am a trombone player about to leave for my first cruise ship contract. This was super helpful and I definitely want to make a video like this in the future! 😀

[@joemysterymusic]

I am somewhat of a cruise-o-holic and a musician to boot. Watched part 1 and 2. It looks like David spent some time w/ Royal Caribbean, perhaps Anthem of the Seas, right out of Bayonne, NJ. Certainly looks like the Anthem concert hall. So, I found this very interesting. David seems like a very decent guy and an excellent drummer. The guys in the ship orchestra are typically the A-Plus musicians on board. Sight reading on the fly as he is doing dictates a high level of musicianship. Preparation is minimum, as explained. It is much easier to be one of the solo or lounge/party group entertainers. Anyway, viewer commentary in video PT 1/2 that this guy is an average drummer is absolutely ludicrous. Very professional guy for such a young player. He has the right attitude and kept it going when the guitarist/talent went out of time. Awesome look behind the scenes.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

You have to learn 20 new songs a day? That's crazy.

[@lifeofapotato4595]

for a berklee grads thats normal i think

[@ogrish76]

6:40, sounds like the guitarist has been playing guitar for about 7 months lol.

[@ronwilliams1094]

I'm from right down the road from you in Youngstown, Ohio! When I was your age, I was afforded the opportunity to tour North America with a professional show/cover band as their guitarist when I was just out of high school, back in 1985. I learned sooooooooooooo much from playing and touring with older professionals which I carried with me throughout my musical career. I would recommend touring or doing cruise ships for all musicians. There's a wealth of knowledge in learning and playing multiple styles of music (as well as the sights you'll see!) that you won't necessarily get from staying local. Keep rockin' David!

[@deucesolo]

I'm a drummer since '82, and a few years later joined the Navy and was stationed on the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, I had no windows in my berthing either! We did have sailor musicians and even a drum kit onboard. 6,000 people on my ship!

[@einarabelc5]

Being a drummer is playing anything and everything. Starting with listening. But that's a hard lesson.

[@Herehear49]

Drummers listen???

[@txdrummerboy98]

Pat Gannon The good ones do. I learned a long time ago, play in time and listen to what the band is playing. If you want to play a lot of technical stuff (odd times, polyrhythms, etc) go find like minded musicians and play fusion or progressive music.

[@DanielVega-ny7cl]

You missed the most important question! How much do they pay???

[@nbt3663]

Good musicians never talk pay. But he can play! So my guess is enough.

[@DanielVega-ny7cl]

NBT 3 You’re telling me you’d take a gig without knowing how much you’d be making? BS

[@DavidColaDrums]

@@nbt3663 I'm not opposed to that question, but I don't just yell it out at the world because a lot of people are on different scales and levels. But personally, when I first started I was only making $2100 a month. That was my starting pay, but yes it is basically all inclusive. Housing, food, and travel is all covered. You only have to pay for things when you are off the ship. After my first contract I did get a significant raise, but I believe that was because I got a good appraisal.

[@jimmycaltrider1781]

ThePefoozer all cruise gigs are a monthly rate from my experience. Can you say what gig/line that was for specifically?

[@nbt3663]

@@DanielVega-ny7cl na. I'm just saying that his deal isn't my deal isn't your deal. I'm.not a musician (though I sing and beat my steering wheel like I am) but I know musicians. All the deals are different. Pay - net working - pay. It's all a matter of the goals. But not for public consumption.

[@otto.-.]

Wow! I've been on that ship on the intro. Its Baltic Queen and it sails between Finland and Sweden

[@skeptictruth9355]

Thanks for the trip down amnesia lane. Did a total of 3 years at the other end of the ship. Played in a duo and 3 piece band depending on the contract. Mostly in the Bahamas but did spend awhile on a ship out of NYC that did a Nova Scotia run. Fortunately, I sailed in the days where only email was available and only when in a US port. Sad to see the accommodations haven't improved. Nothing like working til 2am and then being awakened by the calypso band rehearsing in the next cabin because they work the Lido deck @ 10am! Or my favorite: working til midnight but the disco is one deck above you thumping and shaking your cabin til 4am! Anyway, as I said, thanks again for the trip down amnesia lane. Enjoyed the video. Oh, take it easy on the crew bar.... paybacks are hell! Lol

[@mukskinkinakter6057]

7:00 guitar player is thinking "its the drummers fault."

[@threesixty2408]

i got 2 interviews for musician jobs on cruise

[@djhenderson9]

David... loved the insights of your cruise ship experience as a musician... also thanks for the gift @8:39 of a brief view of the Baha'I Gardens and the bay from the slopes of Mt Carmel, Haifa, Israel... :>)

[@hockeyhipi]

again, I really dig your videos.....this is Greg from "The voice of the ocean' Alaska cruise September 20ish 2019......You do such a great job ....keep up the good work

[@dylanleszek4895]

How does someone do this? Musician here looking to pursue this.

[@georgepoveymusic]

Become a shit hot player and sight reader

[@senile77]

Find a local cruise ship recruitment agaency in your area.

[@KevinDePreeMusic]

I just subscribed to your KZbin channel. Really cool video!

[@DavidColaDrums]

SoundIsRed thanks a ton!!

[@Prudoco]

I played on the ships in the 70s in the lounge band. 3 and 4 nights to the Bahamas. Brings back some fond memories.

[@antonnym214]

You have major skills on the drums, man. I liked your fill on Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (which was a YUGE hit in 1969 (I was there!). Billy Davis rules!

[@Jackmitchhell]

Fuego❤️

[@nexttograce1]

I just realized that I’m definitely not talented enough to be a cruise ship drummer!!!!

[@philipnestor5034]

Nice video David. I was subbing on the Royal Viking Sun for the summers of 1995 , 1997 and 2001. I was drumming with the show band and enjoyed it. The musicians had their own cabins which is very rare and a major plus. It's like you said some shows were great others were corny. Weekends we did the big production shows wearing headphones with the click on one side and the backing tracks on the other side while reading the charts. I loved the traveling seeing different parts of the world but after my daughter was born it's hard to go away for such long contracts. I still play locally as much as possible doing R&B ,big band,Motown and jazz trio gigs. The ships are a great learning experience, some guys hate it I enjoyed it.Good luck David!

[@DavidColaDrums]

That’s awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was definitely a crazy learning experience for me and the environment definitely had its ups and downs 😂. Glad you are doing well though!

[@gustafsone]

The first thing I was thinking when you showed the footage of you playing a gig was "boy, you better be changing out that snare head soon!" and then about 2 clips later, you punched a hole in it. I spit Coke Zero all over my bed when I saw that, especially with the "oh shit!" look on your face. Haha. Keep being you, man. You seem like a really good player and, most importantly, a great person to be playing with.