A little later Buddy comes over puts his arm around me and says; Jack would you play for me? Picture this: A fifteen-year old kid sitting behind Buddy Rich’s drums. I still don’t have the words to describe how incredible that felt.
Read moreSeen at Dynamic Percussion Drum Shop ... B III and Bobby T
Bobby T Torello and Bill Ludwig III at Dynamic Percussion Drum Shop
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 19
“Damn, gotta’ couple of really good students...The lesson is - I will charge them and steal their licks. If you are interested in me stealing your licks… Hit me up for a few lessons. “
Read more18th Annual Hollywood Drum Show and Music Fest 10/13/18
Important Message from Hal Blaine
THE RECORDING ACADEMY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Will air on PBS - October 5, 2018
Read moreThe Story Behind the Creation of the Iconic Gretsch Drum Kit Logo
Wendy Lubbers doesn’t know exactly how the now-famous Gretsch drum logo originated. But she speculates that Fred Jr.—knowing how creative her dad was, and seeing the many logos he had designed for local small businesses and schools—approached Bob about creating a new Gretsch drum logo. “My dad was as big-hearted as he was talented,” says Wendy. “He did a lot of free artwork and logos for his friends. I’m sure he jumped at the chance to work on something that was music related—especially for Uncle Fred and for Gretsch drums.”
Read more1965 Leedy Shelly Manne Outfit no. 11 in Sparkling Champagne Pearl
This installment of Vintage Happiness is on my first Leedy love. This was the first Leedy set in my collection and the one that made me buy several more Leedy sets!
I became a big fan of the art deco lugs and T-rods from this era. This is the era that many collectors refer to as the “Slingerleedy” period when Slingerland owned Leedy and manufactured these drums as well as Slingerlands from 1955 through 1966. This is a 1965 Leedy Shelly Manne Outfit No. 11 in Sparkling Champagne Pearl.
The set consists of a 14x20 bass drum, 9x13 tom, 16x16 floor tom, and the fantastic 5.5x14 Shelly Manne snare with the Broadway throw off. The drums also have the “chocolate milk” interiors, which is consistent with Slingerland manufacturing.
Read more1934 Leedy 5x14 Full Dress Broadway Parallel Snare Drum
I just got this drum from my good friend and fellow collector Mark Cooper. This drum came to me in excellent shape so very little was needed to be done hence the short story.
Read moreSlingerland 1960s Modern Jazz Outfit
The drum set I am featuring from my collection this month is a Slingerland Modern Jazz Outfit catalog number 9N. The drum sizes are 20X14, 14X14, 12X8, and a 14X5 Sound King chrome over brass 8 lug snare drum with a "Zoomatic" strainer. All drums have "Rim Shot" rims. I always call these rims "Stick Savers", but I saw that they weren't called that in the late 60s catalog. The interiors are coated with the tan or "chocolate milk" paint used in the late 1960s. The Niles, Illinois badges are black and brass ovals with serial numbers. The awesome feature about these drums is the ultra-cool Gold Satin Flame Pearl wrap. I just love the Satin Flame wraps. The wrap looks so good on these drums. I'm always looking for the "pot of gold" and this sweet drum set is just that.
Read moreInterview with Famed Rockabilly Drummer, Steve Clark
In the summer of 1974, a friend of mine was hosting an ‘all-night’ Rockabilly variety show at Myron’s Ballroom in Los Angeles and he asked me to sit in with Ray Campi. Colin Winski was singing vocals and playing rhythm guitar. We ended up playing several shows together throughout the summer as the Rollin’ Rock Rockabilly Band.
Read moreDifferent Strokes
Your job as a drummer is simple: Hit stuff. Usually you'll want/need to hit things in a more-or-less controlled manner. Below are the basic strokes from which all others flow. Note that for each type of stroke, the position of the stick at the end of the stroke is just as important as the start position.
Read moreFAT - The Celebration Continues
FAT has some major gigs this weekend including the new MGM Grand Casino in Springfield, Mass. There is no doubt their huge fan club will be out in force. David Barsalou shares the history of their great drummers in this article.
Seen At The 2018 Connecticut Vintage And Custom Drum Show
Rick Smith presented another successful vintage and custom drum show at The Sphinx Shriners Center in Newington, Connecticut. This years’ featured clinician’s were Gregg Bissonette and Richie Morales. Once again, both the clinics and dealer booths were jammed with drumming enthusiasts of all ages. It was standing room only in the auditorium for Gregg and Richie. Both of their presentations were educational, inspirational, and entertaining
Read more1961/62 Slingerland Modern Jazz Outfit in Capri Pearl
This set is a 1961/62 Slingerland Modern Jazz Outfit in Capri Pearl finish, which very hard to find in good shape. This time I finally found one. This really is some finish. I’ve not had much experience with this wrap in GOOD shape so I am now going to say it is my current favorite vintage drum finish. Just wow.
Read moreChicago Drum Introduces new endorser Ken Harck and "Pretty Things" finishes.
Look for our interview with Ken Harck in the next issue of Not So Modern Drummer. Go to www.chicagodrum.com to see their beautiful snares and sets, as well as Slingerland original and replacement parts.
Read more1926 L&L Super Ludwig 4x15 White Enamel Inspiration Concert Dance Model
The Inspiration Super-Ludwig Model was introduced around 1926. Some of the options were gold plating, DeLuxe plating (simulated gold plating), white enamel or black nickel shell.
Read moreYou Don't Know Jack: Chapter Two
Walking along with my friend John we saw drum cases emblazoned with “The Buddy Rich Orchestra” on their sides. Excited as always when anything ‘Buddy’ came into view. John, his voice filled with excitement said: You know Buddy…Lets go in. I said yeah, but this is a recording studio, we can’t just walk in there. John, ever persistent finally convinced me to enter the famed RCA building.
Read moreMike Clark: Words of Wisdom - Chapter 18
“Man, I had beyond a blast playing with the Great Eddie Henderson…There were some fantastic drummers in who I really dig, Billy Drummond, Sylvia Cuenca, Steve Johns, and the all time master - my hero Billy Hart. You know all those folks can hear the entire picture and then some. How great is that? Such great artists all in one place and one town. Billy Harper was there as well…Damn, I Love New York !”
Read moreNew Drum Show in St. Louis - 10/20/18
I am very pleased to announce that The St. Louis Drum Ambassadors will be hosting our very first Annual Drum Show and Swap meet this Fall! St. Louis is the perfect place for such an event due to our abundant local drumming community and the ever growing interest in drum collecting across the Midwest.
We already have several commitments from sellers, custom builders, and companies from across the country who will be there to spend the day with us. More details to come on other activities such as drum clinic info and kids drum battle. Please reserve the date and come join us this Fall in St. Louis to spend the day doing what we all love so much: talking, buying, selling, and playing drums!!!
Proceeds will be donated to Play It Forward STL!
Play it Forward is a St. Louis based program which began in 2006. Their mission - ensure each child in St. Louis is provided with the opportunity to discover his or her musical talents. This is done by encouraging people to donate usable musical instrument that they no longer use. These instruments are cleaned and repaired to a playable condition. The instruments are then distributed to underprivileged children and lower income school music programs that don't have them in their budget. You can visit their web site at www.playitforwardstl.org.
Spots are filling up quickly so please email me at randy73drums@hotmail.com to reserve a booth or with any questions about the show.
Event Details:
Location https://www.kokenartfactory.com/
Saturday 10/20/18 from 11a.m. to 5p.m.
Vendors can load in the night before or the morning of event.
Booth space sizes and prices are as follows:
8' x 8' $15
12' x 12' $25
FREE ADMISSION TO THE PUBLIC!
Tables will be provided for each booth.
Larger spaces can be arranged if needed.
Great food will be available for you to enjoy while searching for that next awesome drum deal.
Rick Garvin: The Pursuit of Excellence
A special story about drummer Rick Garvin. This is a heart felt tribute to a fellow drummer from one of his peers, and with glowing praise from many he played with. Every drummer would like to have an accomplished career like this and be remembered in this way.
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