lol So then what do you guys think separates "us" from the Big guys? There timing? There Chops or rudiments? etc..
Two main things:
Confidence and experience.
Look how many songs on the radio have a really basic drum part any of us could play. But why do only certain people get those gigs? Confidence in their own playing.
When the red light comes on in the studio, the producer starts the click track, and they're sitting in a room costing someone a thousand dollars an hour, they don't cave under the pressure, or get nervous, or question of they can remember to hit the crash on bar two of the 2nd verse but not on the 1st verse, or wonder if they can follow the click or not. They just do it.
I realize that is over simplistic, but I do believe it's true.
And experience is another. Occasionally, I see a player, and realize, what separates them from me or anyone else in the room is their band got signed when they were young, and they went on tour and have spent almost every night of their lives playing live or recording. Meanwhile, my band didn't, so I had to spend 8 to 10 hours a day at a day job, making ends meet, all of which has taken away from my time behind the drum kit.
And then, from there, it is is finding the right situation, being in the right place at right time, and getting along with people.
There are people out there who do have it what it takes, but just never get the right gig.
Famed drummer Rod Morgenstein, who was already a monster player with a reputation in the music business, has several not-so-funny stories about auditions that he just blew because it just wasn't the right fit, despite already being a name player.