There are so many elements that go into getting steady work, which is really the question being raised here. It's not just an issue of chops and the pocket. Like folks are saying, you also have to be easy to be around.

One other thought about becoming a successful studio drummer (which I'm not ): you've got to have the instinct to come up with just the right part for the song. A lot of time you're not going to have advance knowledge of songs, a CD to listen to beforehand, or even charts. You may walk in, the producer will play you a recording, say "this is part A, part B and part C" and you've got to be able to come up with options that make the producer happy. And especially in Nashville, you've got to come up with them quickly. The place can be a bit like a factory from what I understand. So you have to have an instinct for what's needed for the song, often right on the spot.

I always thought " the weck " had a great feel.

whenever i see that name i get all stoked because i think someones actually talking about fredy studer ... then i see im wrong and i get dissappointed

did someone say something?    

anyway, fredy (one 'd') is a bit of an avant gardist.  a lot of improv, new music etc.

http://www.fredystuder.ch/

I hope nobody took my comments on Dave Weckl & Paul Leim the wrong way, I wasn't saying that Dave Weckl doesn't have an incredible groove, HE DOES, but my point was that you don't HAVE to have incredible CHOPS to live in Nashville to get hired (although MOST, not ALL, of the heavy hitters in Nashville have a good amount of chops to go along with their GROOVE factor). Most of the heavy session players play in jazz or fusion bands that play LIVE around town and they can STRETCH out a bit more than in the studio...vent those chops a bit  . If you're really concerned about your chops, don't be, I've seen guys that have taken their chops from average to excellent in a period of a year because they just put in the time. So, be glad you have the POCKET, because so many drummers don't.....  

Can a drummer have deep pocket with some players and a crappy pocket with holes in it with other players?

I'm inclined to say yes.  But I don't really know.

Or should a truly great drummer just have a magically deep pocket with every musician within 100 feet?

IF one plays pocket pool does that help the pocket or hurt it?  I wish my pockets were lined with wabbit fur.
Then I would have my gloves and pockets lined with wabbit fur.  

Great point Felix! I agree completely. The whole band is responsible for being in the pocket, just that the drummer needs to drive it.

(btw, this new Felix is freaking me out a bit. "...inclined to say yes." Bart, you'd better check that this is actually the same guy using this handle.   )

I think it's Ironic how when one is young you tend to think it's all about chops, but as the years pass you by you reallize that's it's groove that gets you the call back,
Felix stop being nice, you're scaring the kids

Pocket is essential.  Gotta have it.  For some kinds of music, that's all you need, and all the band and audience wants.

Chops are fun, worth working on, makes drumming more interesting, and essential for some kinds of music.  You must be able to apply these chops without losing the pocket.  That's my rule, anyway.

If someone in your band has a time problem, it's going to be a pain in the ass, and you may get undeserved credit for their lack of timing.  The only thing I know to do in that situation is play real loud and real simple.  If you're louder than the person who is screwing up, listeners may not notice it too much.  

Best of course is a band with seasoned musicians who understand the need for pocket themselves.  Then, it's easy, and you can even throw some of those cool chops in without worrying about derailing the train.

It just blows me away how everything keeps going in circles.

When I first started playing drums it was all I could do to play steady LOL now it's like "ok" lets bend the time.

Actually I think music sounds much better when it has an elastic quality!!!!!  But, man you really have to know what you are doing.