World tours. Music videos. Nationwide television performances. It’s a situation most only dream of. A brave few move to one of the major music cities in an attempt to realize it, but what happens when you actually get the call for that big break? Jason Sutter knows—he’s been there more than once. Sutter recently landed the drumchair for Chris Cornell. Those are no small shoes to fill following the likes of Matt Cameron and Brad Wilk.

While preparing to embark on a world tour, Sutter sat down with Drumhead to share some knowledge. Whatfollows are some of his experiences doing the right (and wrong) things while trying to land that big gig.