Better late than never? This September issue was delayed twelve days into October because of my ancient Apple laptop computer not cooperating with the websites I use to publish NSMD. It needed fixing and hey don’t make that size fan belt anymore… actually it was not recognizing certain security certificates. If you understand that, you are still young - congratulations!. My 2009 Apple Macbook Pro is due for replacement, but I’ve been lucky to get eleven years’ use from it. Thanks for bearing with me.
This heart felt note from JD in Australia reminds me of what an emotional and spiritual attachment we drummers have to our instrument and profession. Thanks, JD.
“I'm crippled with damaged arthritic hips & end stage emphysema but I still tap along despite puffing after one song.! I tell young ones, you dance on and with your drum set, experiment with every limb and different beats along with mixed rhythms until it's a 8, 12, 16, 24 or 64 bar repeating groove that is a song itself.
I jammed with everyone I could and found the basic life in music we can't resist as we feel a camaraderie spark our souls with love. The old joke was "I'm not a musician, only a drummer"! But you get to jam with the best guitarists, organists & brass blowers, sometimes in the same jam, and it's close to great sex in its rewards for your soul. Regardless if I started on early John Grey drums saving up for a Slingerland I suspect was 40s til I began work to save enough to buy my Black Gretsches in 78. It was another 8 years til I got my 1st new set, a silver Pearl Maple shell that was my go to gig set until the pain was too much & in despair sold & gifted my cymbals bells & stands even my beloved old Gretsch I sold to young jazz & blues player cheap. I think there's lots of music instrument treasures in Adelaide & Melbourne with much better & famous beat men, percussion includes a plethora of pieces, Gongs & Bongos, bells & pipes, wood blocks even but I've really enjoyed this site & stories of rhythms & beats history.
Thank U NSMD “
And that is all the new from Lake Woebegone this month. Enjoy this issue!