09/1999 - I do a lot of work as a "sub"; a pinch hitter". I and a pool of other drummers that I share gigs with in Nashville have honed certain preparation skills to the point that we can guarantee an artist that we can come in with little or no rehearsal and play the parts right, catch all the cues and make the artist feel at ease. There are two gigs that I am presently preparing for. One is a Tanya Tucker gig that I am subbing for fellow drummer Steve Ebe who also plays with Kim Richie, Webb Wilder and used to play for the Dixie Chicks. The other gig is subbing for Brian Prout, drummer for the country band Diamond Rio, while he is recuperating from scheduled carpal tunnel surgery.
Read moreMlasko American Classic Drums 7x14 Vintage Mahogany
"Mlasko American Classic Drums are made in Nashville, Tennessee for drummers who can appreciate refined classic drum design without the limitations of vintage instruments. Owner, Aaron Mlasko has been building drums since 1994. He’s also worked as an in-demand touring and studio drum tech for folks like Matt Chamberlain, Matt Cameron, Alan White, Mario Calire and many others."
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Neal Morse Band, featuring Mike Portnoy - Alive Again Tour
THE "ALIVE AGAIN" TOUR - FIRST STOP, NASHVILLE! The Neal Morse Band will be performing their much anticipated debut album, "The Grand Experiment." The band, featuring award-winning drummer Mike Portnoy, will play ONE NIGHT ONLY in Nashville at Rocketown - Saturday, February 21st!
The Neal Morse Band (feat. Mike Portnoy) Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 PM Rocketown (White Building) - Nashville, TN
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY AND WILL SELL OUT! Visit www.rocketown.com/events for tickets and more information.
The Neal Morse Band will be hitting the US, Canada and Europe for a winter tour in 2015 and the complete event listing can be found at www.radiantrecords.com.
Morsefest in Nashville with Mike Portnoy
The iconic progressive rock front-man, keyboardist and songwriter Neal Morse will host a two-day music festival in his hometown of Nashville, TN on November 14-15 2014. Morse is best known for his mid-90's group "Spock's Beard" as well as his formation of the supergroup "Transatlantic" with former Dream Theater co-founder Mike Portnoy, Flower Kings' Roine Stolt and Marillion's Pete Trewavas.
Special guests, including Mike Portnoy and Randy George, will be joining Neal on the 14th and 15th in performances of the entire "One" and "Testimony 1" albums by Morse. From Radiant Records:
"Hear the music in the very place it was inspired! This weekend will be full of legendary status events such as an exclusive, free 'inner circle only' acoustic set, a VIP Meet and Greet with Neal and special guests, and a game of 'Name that Tune' - PROG style with Mike Portnoy. This is sure to be a once in a lifetime event that you do not want to miss! Make your travel plans to Nashville now!"
Tickets start at $60, $30 for students. More information can be found at: http://www.radiantrecords.com/products/500-morsefest-november-14-15-2014.aspx
WHEN:
November 14 - 15, 2014 Friday & Saturday shows: 7:30pm (Doors at 6:00 pm), Worship Service: Saturday 10:00 am (Doors at 9:00 am) IC Acoustic Set: Saturday 1:00pm (Doors at 12.00 pm), VIP session: Friday and Saturday 3:00pm (Doors at 2:30 pm)
WHERE:
New Life Fellowship 8655 Tennessee 25 Cross Plains, TN 37049
The Ludwig Silver Anniversary Standard Snare Drum(s)
In 1935, Ludwig & Ludwig celebrated its 25th, or “Silver”, anniversary. As stated in the Ludwig Drummer magazine of 1936, Ludwig & Ludwig was “Climaxing twenty-five years of supremacy” and introducing a “new sturdier shell construction: Ludwig All-Metal shells are spun from the best quality heavy-gauge brass with sturdy reinforcing bead in the middle, and edges are flanged and turned in against the inside wall of the shell for further strength and rigidity. The new heavy flanged counter hoops and modern design tension cases for the key tension lugs add both beauty and strength to the ‘Silver Anniversary’ models.” Ludwig offered these in brass or mahogany Super-Sensitive, Super-Ludwig, and Standard versions (5” X 14” and 6½” X 14” sizes). To me, the All-Metal brass snare drums were quite special as they had the newly introduced Silver Anniversary L&L badge, eight Imperial lugs (directly tapped, no inserts), heavy flanged hoops, and square bead in the middle of shell (although that was not always the case – read on…).
There is an aura which surrounds 1920s-30s Ludwig brass drums that continues to fascinate and thrill me. I’ve never heard one that didn’t sound terrific, and each has its own unique character. So I set my sights on obtaining one of these Silver Anniversary drums, and by a coincidence of fate, two Silver Anniversary L&L Standard snare drums came by my way: a 6½” X 14” and a 6½” X 15”. The 6½” X 14” was exactly as described in the 1936 Ludwig catalog, with the eight direct tapped Imperial lugs, square center bead, Professional strainer and nickel over brass finish. As you can imagine, one must be quite careful in not over-tightening the tension rods as you can strip the lugs, i.e., as they have no inserts. This drum was in good condition and sounded wonderful – great depth, projection and the rimshots and cross-stick off those heavy flanged hoops were to die for.
I was very impressed by this drum. About 6 months later, I came across a 6½” X 15” Silver Anniversary Standard snare drum for sale. I was a bit confused as the L&L 1936 catalog showed only a 14” being available, and in addition, this drum seemed to have a rounded center bead. I was starting to wonder if this was an authentic Silver Anniversary model. However, other than the size and bead contour, all else seemed identical to my 14” Silver Anniversary Standard. I did a bit of research and found that in the 1937 L&L catalog on page 6, there was additional fine print which said “see page 8 for special 6½” X 15” metal shell model”. So finally, on page 8, there was the 15” Standard snare and it showed a rounded center bead, although this was not specifically noted. The 6½” X 15” Standard Anniversary was “made in a special larger size recommended for large military concert bands because of its unusual volume and carrying power….made only on special, non-cancelable, non-returnable order.” So I had another wonderful L&L Silver Anniversary drum; this one with even a little more punch and depth. But the story does not end there…
It turns out that the 6½” X 15” Silver Anniversary drum was owned by none other than Ken Coomer, Nashville drummer and producer whose credits include Wilco, Clockhammer, Uncle Tupelo, Emmylou Harris, and Will Hogue to name a few. Ken was kind enough to share a little personal background on this drum.
“Here is a little history on the L&L snare drum. I purchased the drum from a pawn shop where Wilco bought a ton of different gear for recording and live. I knew it was something different, so I did some research and "presto chango" I find out that there may not be more than a handful of these know to exist, especially this unusual size. But, I would not have bought the drum if it sounded "like the box it came in." I have to be able to use a drum in some capacity. This drum had the first issue non- slotted (tapped) lugs. So you could strip them, and imagine where, if anywhere you could find the original parts. Early on I decided this was not going to be a road drum. But, I loved the tone, especially when I put the extra wide 42 strand Gretsch wires on - a great, sweet, sensitive snare drum.
I used this drum on Wilco's ‘Summerteeth’ and ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’. I also think I used it on a Steve Earle track from a movie called ‘Side Tracks’... always loved a press roll on this drum!
Hope that helps some....I feel like this gives me some closure on parting with this drum, sounds silly, but I think you get it.”
Indeed Ken, I do very much get it. This is an amazing drum, an important part of your musical legacy, and a rare survivor of over 75 years. I will be a good caretaker and ensure that it continues to make music and endure.
So now I’m off to find another cool drum story… if you have any of the other Silver Anniversary snare drums, please let me know (fallendrummer@mac.com)!
Happy drumming! Never forget that we drummers are custodians of both our music and the stories behind the drums we play… If we do not share these stories, they will fade away and tragically be lost…
Special thanks to Mark Cooper for his invaluable assistance in the preparation of this article.
February 2014 - Drum Shows!
Drum Shows! February 16 is the date of Joe Gilday’s Delaware Drum Show. If you are in the mid-Atlantic be sure to go. This is an established drum show and is well attended. Not So Modern Drummer is sponsoring one of the door prizes – a collection of thirty back issues of the print copies.
Don’t forget our Nashville Drum Show in September! We just finalized some details and registration for exhibitors is open! Go to NashvilleDrumShow.com for booth information. Attendees will be able to buy discounted advance tickets at the show’s website in the near future. We have added some new features this year; an all star performance by famous Nashville drummers, a drum set solo competition with great prizes for kids and adults, and a world famous clinician (stay tuned).
Snare Drum Olympics! The Snare Drum Olympics contest is underway and the new Snare Drum Olympics site will be up soon. You can call and contact me for details until then. Anyone who builds drums can enter their instruments into the contest and get a great deal of publicity. From major manufacturers to first time builders , the Snare Drum Olympics is a great way to showcase your drums.
A big salute to Bruno Mars for opening the Super Bowl half time show with a drum solo. Outstanding! The numbers say that the half time show had the highest number of tv viewers of all time. Are we gonna see a whole new generations of kids inspired to play like Ringo inspired some of us Baby Boomers? I hope so.
George's Signature
(330) 338-6035 george@notsomoderndrummer.com
John Root's 1930s Leedy Trap Kit
Hey George,
Here's the pictures of my thirties trap kit. It's a Leedy Spartan bass drum and snare. Front head can be illuminated from inside. Horsehair throne. I've assembled the kit over time to make it a true "contraption." Leedy Chinese toms and temple blocks, Ludwig cowbells and bass drum pedal. Leedy & Ludwig hi hat sock cymbal and ching cymbal. I play this kit and it sounds like a "Steamboat Willie" cartoon.
If you've got anymore questions let me know. Feel free to reverse the images so that no one gets hurt in the view of the pictures. LOL!
John Root Nashville, TN
"Proud Left-Handed Drummer" www.JohnRootDrums.com
Rich Redmond's Drummer's Weekend
Rich Redmond’s “CRASH COURSE FOR SUCCESS”- Drummer’s Weekend
Student drummers from around the U.S. experienced a one of a kind drumming event on November 1-3, 2013 in Nashville, Tn.
This weekend of education, inspiration, and entertainment featured 24 hours of hands on training with multi platinum country star Jason Aldean’s recording/touring drummer Rich Redmond. Rich hosted guest clinicians TROY LUCCKETTA (TESLA) and JIM RILEY (RASCAL FLATTS). A guest studio drummer panel featured NICK BUDA (Taylor Swift), KEN COOMER (Wilco), TONY MORRA (Downtown Batterie), TOMMY HARDEN (Reba, Sessions) interacted with the students and answered questions. JIM HANDLEY presented a tuning clinic. Producer MICHAEL KNOX (Jason Aldean, Rachel Farley, Bush Hawg) made himself available for a powerful Q+A session focusing on the creative process and what producers are looking for in drummers. Nashville's 3 KINGS rhythm section (Jason Aldean, Thompson Square) also discussed concepts related to performing in a rhythm section and building a career. Students sat in with an all star rhythm section featuring bassist Pete Iannacone (Josh Stone) and guitarist John Foster (The Consolers). Rich’s teaching focused on his CRASH philosophy for success in the music business as well as subjects like: The Nashville Number System, song charting, overdubbing percussion, creating click tracks, getting and keeping gigs, money beats, mental/business techniques to create the music career of your dreams.
Students were treated to daily-catered meals and evening “hangs” with the clinicians. Also, plenty of door prizes and giveaways were provided by:
DW, SABIAN, PROMARK, REMO, ROLAND, KICKPORT, GON BOPS, AUDIO TECHNICA, CYMPAD, GATOR, PITCH SLAP, BOOTY SHAKERS, BLACK WIDOW, HANSENFUTZ, PROLOGIX, DRUMTACS, THE CARMICHAEL THRONE, AUARALEX, ADAM ARGULLIN, DIRECT SOUND EXTREME ISOLATION, EAR FILTERS, THE KELLY SHU, GREAT LEATHER, RED MONKEY and many others.
Students performed music with recording artists JOHN EDDIE and ADAM FEARS at a closing ceremony concert at Douglas Corner Cafe in Nashville. All proceeds collected from admission benefited the W.O. Smith School Of Music in Nashville.