Talking With Cathy Rich & Gregg Potter – May 25, 2026
The Buddy Rich Big Band Machine, Myron's at The Smith Center, May 30
This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Cathy Rich, daughter of legendary drummer Buddy Rich, along with Emmy Award-winning drummer Gregg Potter, as they bring The Buddy Rich Big Band Machine to Myron’s at The Smith Center on May 30.
In this engaging conversation, Cathy and Gregg discuss Buddy Rich’s lasting legacy and Cathy’s promise to her father to keep his music alive for future generations. They talk about taking the band around the world, evolving from the original Buddy Rich Memorial Concerts featuring legendary guest drummers into a full-fledged touring road band that captures the power, excitement and intensity Buddy Rich was known for.
Cathy and Gregg reveal the chemistry that keeps the show authentic, respectful and electrifying, while sharing stories about Buddy’s incredible musicianship, demanding standards and unforgettable personality.
Gregg jokes about being the “Temu Buddy Rich,” but explains that his mission is not imitation—it’s honoring Buddy’s explosive energy, precision and relentless tempo while bringing his own style and passion to the stage.
The episode also explores Buddy Rich alumni joining the band on tour, the technical challenges of recreating Buddy’s legendary arrangements. Cathy shares memories of growing up in Las Vegas and tells personal stories fans still love hearing decades later.
From the emotional opening number “From the Jump” to a stage setup modeled after Buddy’s original performances, every detail of The Buddy Rich Big Band Machine is designed to celebrate one of the greatest drummers in music history. As Gregg explains, there’s simply nothing like the raw, “in your face” power of a true big band experience.
Born into one of jazz’s most legendary families, Cathy Rich began her musical career almost from birth as the only child of drumming icon Buddy Rich. At just 12 years old, she recorded “The Beat Goes On” live with her father’s band on the acclaimed album Big Swing Face, launching a career that would span singing, acting, modeling, and producing. Signed by the prestigious Wilhelmina agency at 18 while simultaneously touring internationally with the Buddy Rich Band, Cathy later dedicated herself to preserving her father’s extraordinary musical legacy after his passing. She created and produced the groundbreaking Buddy Rich Memorial Concert series, featuring legendary drummers such as Phil Collins, Billy Cobham, Max Roach, and Neil Peart, with whom she co-produced the Grammy-nominated Burning For Buddy albums. Today, Cathy continues that mission with the revitalized Buddy Rich Big Band, featuring Emmy Award-winning drummer Gregg Potter, bringing Buddy’s explosive, forward-looking style to new generations. Her passion for preserving and advancing Buddy Rich’s influence also led to the long-awaited release of Just In Time, the historic live recordings from Ronnie Scott’s in London, widely regarded as one of Buddy Rich’s greatest performances.
Gregg Potter has established himself as one of the premier drummers carrying forward the legendary legacy of Buddy Rich, fronting the Buddy Rich Band during the acclaimed 2017–2018 Centennial Celebration World Tour across the United States and Europe, including a sold-out engagement at London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. First making a major impact at the 25th Anniversary Buddy Rich Memorial Concert at the London Palladium in 2012, Gregg has since led sold-out international tours, appeared in leading publications including Modern Drummer and DRUMHEAD Magazine, and was featured on the first-ever Buddy Rich “Play Along” instructional release from Hal Leonard Publishing. Beginning his professional career after winning the prestigious Slingerland/Louie Bellson National Drum Contest, Gregg quickly rose through the music industry, performing with Steve Dahl’s “Teenage Radiation,” Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Joe Walsh and Rick Nielsen, and recording with the band SIREN, whose hit singles received major MTV and radio exposure. An Emmy Award winner for his CBS Television performance at the Grammy Foundation, Gregg has also earned recognition as a featured artist and contributing writer for Modern Drummer magazine while continuing to tour, record, write, and educate as one of today’s most respected drummers.