In early 2019, I setup my drum room for recording and live streaming. It was all based on me watching DanDrumStone (another fellow SJC Custom Drums drummer) on Twitch, and learning a bit from his setup. I thought it would be fun to take the microphones, recording equipment, lighting, and a couple aging computers, and setup my own livestream. It was a lot of fun, and for about 6 months, every Friday morning I would drum live on Twitch, usually playing songs that I needed to practice for upcoming gigs with my cover band Power Surge.

I'd even take songs that I played "well enough" and save individual tracks to my YouTube. That quickly amounted to over 100 videos on my YouTube page.

As for Twitch, somedays, no one would join my stream. Other days 10 or so people would join. I amassed 50 followers, and a couple regulars, pretty quickly...and started improving my drum improvising skills and recording skills.

But my work schedule changed, and those Friday mornings went away. More than 15 months went by, and my streaming setup got dusty and looked like it would just be a memory.

Towards late 2020, I started exploring live streaming again. Thinking about drums, like before. But also, streaming my music creation process. Also, singing, playing / learning guitar & piano.

By March 2020, I now have Twitch live steaming as a part of my regular life. I target 4 streams per week; including all the things I mentioned above. It's led me to follow and get to know, many other musicians/creatives on Twitch, and learn from them.  

What's very different in 2021, versus 2019?  Back then, there were some music streamers....but now, it's a huge number of musical streamers, including some very well know artists, who have begun streaming regularly (DJ Jazzy Jeff and Nick Hexum of 311, just to name a couple). So, getting people to pay attention is a lot harder than before.

New to my stream. I have created a three camera setup, and multiple screens to give a more interactive feel. I've migrated my drumset to an electronic one, since they are much quieter, allowing me to play more frequent and for longer periods. Each week, I add something new to the stream. In many cases, just incorporating something I already have, into the stream; like a guitar, or a guitar pedal. Or, adding in some lighting that I already own.

On my journey of growth on Twitch, I have become a Twitch "Affiliate" which comes based on a certain amount of time streamed, and follower count. Affiliate status allows a streamer to monetize each stream, greater than just a virtual tip jar.

As of this writing, I'm up to 90 followers, and seems like I average 1-2 new followers per stream. I've also started to gain "subscribers"; those are followers who pay to get ad-free viewing (and possibly other benefits), which also provides an income to the streamer and Twitch. It's really interesting to see an income stream come from consistently live streaming. It's not the kind of income stream that will get me much more than a cup of coffee, as the moment. Though, I do see how it could become a source of "hobby" income if I keep at it.

I've added interactive capabilities into the stream, allowing participants to remotely request songs that automatically get added to my running playlist. I also have enabled the ability for participants to remotely control the colored lights in my studio, via chat commands. Plus fun, on screen interactions based on chat messages from participants. And for a very personal touch, every paid subscriber, gets their username hand-written on a drum stick that I hang as part of my backdrop; to show my appreciation for their support.

The challenge to keeping at it, will come when my daytime schedule takes a dramatic turn, which is likely to occur at some point. At that point, I'll likely continue streaming, but need to reduce my frequency and regular upgrades to the stream.

But, for now, four streams a week (that's the goal). I'm on Twitch. Playing drums, singing songs, sometimes guitar or piano; and even writing/recording/producing songs live on-air. Some things I do better than others. Recently, I started performing a live set of original songs, and them transition into performing requests for anyone who joins.