Billy had been a major influence in the local drumming community since first studying with Joe Morello’s teacher, Joseph D. Sefcik.

With decades of experience and performance under his belt—from serving in the Army band to dazzling audiences alongside A-list celebrities and Broadway musicals—John harnessed his skills to infuse every pair of sticks with superior craftsmanship and an unrivaled ethos.

Keith was a student of several teachers who taught at my George’s Drum Shop in Jackson Mississippi in the mid 80s; me, Quinous Johnson, Bud Berthold and he also was taught by my first drum teacher, Herman “Sonny” Hill. My opinion is this is one of the best solos he has ever played. Watch it, then go practice or lock your drums up in the closet! :-)

Lipskin Special Models were not catalogued so we can assume that they were made for a dealer.

It’s a phenomenon called Limb Assistance. That’s when one limb is able to perform better when it’s partnered with another limb.

But it was the rolls Tony did on his toms that really did it for me.

Legendary drummer Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie presented a sold-out clinic at Rocky’s Music Studio in Rensselaer, NY

A very special rare Drum Catalog arrived.

Sorry for the late April Issue. Life happens and gets in the way. Seems like I bite off more than I can chew these days.

The trend toward smaller bass drums was driven as much by portability as sound. Elvin Jones settled on an 18" bass drum because it fit into a cab nicely (so I’ve heard).

In an effort to show what is less seen, I offer you another one of my favorites. This gold sparkle Apollo, which was made by Star in the early 1960’s

Drummer Rich Thompson recently announced his retirement from his 30 year career at Eastman School of Music. Rich has been in demand as a top call drummer in Rochester for the past 25 years.

Slingerland purchased the patent from C. G. Conn in 1933. Ludwig & Ludwig sued Slingerland for patent infringement and Slingerland was forced to cease and desist any further manufacturing of the DuAll model along with having to pay for any DuAll models that were previously sold.

This is a game changer – the most obvious advancement being the drastically reduced weight.

So you pack your bags, load up the drums and head for the big city -- just as countless other aspiring players have done. And you’re immediately faced with the more established players, the ones who really are the big fish in this bigger pond.

 The insert highlighted in my column this month is one of the earliest known examples. It was actually in the 1909 Leedy edition as well as their 1910.

This set was born together and still with the one and only original owner whose parents purchased it for him brand spanking new in 1970. He played it for about a year with his cousin in a little band in his basement and never again after that. The set NEVER left his house and was NEVER played out. He also immaculately cared for it keeping it under cover.

My second George’s Drum Shop was located in Copley Ohio starting in 2002 then moved to Cuyahoga Falls Ohio in 2006. I made and sold a lot of drum sets and snare drums during those years.

In the MIJ world there is a tendency to lump all the drums together. Some of it is from the old myths of them being made in the same factory or a shared factory, but in reality the connections between companies was very small, even the smallest common screw seem to be a little different. This even extends to the wraps, where similar, but not the same, seems to be the rule.

Between 1969 and 1971 my teacher Ed Shaughnessy introduced me to the music of drummer Tony Williams.

These two drums came from my good friend and fellow collector Mark Cooper. Mark passed away last year and I miss his friendship, sense of humor and the great drum deals that we did over the last 15+ years. I was able to get some great snare drums from Mark. Rest in peace my friend.

The drum is only one of two (one is in the drum museum in the Midwest) known in this style, and even these two are both different.

I had purchased a 1920’s Ludwig & Ludwig White Enamel Professional model 5X14 snare drum from a US seller several months previous.  From the photos provided before the time of sale, I knew this drum had seen better days

150 years of SONOR craftsmanship and innovation. To celebrate this milestone, we proudly present the 150th Anniversary SIGNATURE and SONORLITE Shell Sets