Country Beat

I love playing The Train - the classic rolling drum beat played on the snare drum over walking bass and hi-hat. The only problem is I find the tempo really hard to control. So I've taken a leaf out of WS Holland's book (Johnny Cash's drummer) and started using what I call the Country Beat instead. This is a fast swing rhythm with the bass drum played two beat style instead of four on the floor. Tempo is now rock solid and it helps the songs I use it on - I Got a Woman, Big Boss Man, Call Me the Breeze, Mama Don't Allow - to swing a little too.