I was planning on reviewing the new Hudson Music books about Jeff Porcaro and Liberty Devitto, but ran out of time. I’ve read the book about Liberty and am halfway through the one about Jeff and I’ll try to get that review out in the February issue. They are both great reads.
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Questions I am frequently asked:
Do you still have a walk-in store?
No, I closed down George’s Drum Shop in Akron Ohio in January 2011. All my sales, wheeling and dealing, and repair have been online since then. I do make appointments to show sales items in person from time to time.
Do you still play with Poco?
No, not since 2015. I started with Poco in August 2004 and played with them until the schedule slowed down to 3 or 4 gigs a year. Rick Lonow, formerly of the Flying Burrito Brothers, has been playing drums with Poco since then. I understand they plan or resuming tour gigs this summer if pandemic conditions allow.
How is Nashville? I don’t know because I moved from there to Memphis in 2018. Last time I was there it was looking like a city of cranes and traffic jams.
Why did you move to Memphis?
It was a woman. (Isn’t it always a woman?). Georgetta and I are very happily married.
What drums do you endorse?
I don’t have an endorsement relationship with any drum company presently. I endorsed Slingerland, Darwin, Ayotte, Taye and Paiste in the past. I play mostly vintage Gretsch drums and a Heinz 57 variety of cymbals these days. I do endorse Innovative Percussion drum sticks and Evans drum heads.
How does one make it playing drums in the music business?
Become an artist manager and play drums on the side. :-)
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Until next month, GL