No, actually, I don't. This came into focus for me some years ago. It was one of those wonderful, serendipitous, off-the-cuff remarks that ended up being a defining moment. I was at the wedding of a close relative and one of the bridesmaids came over to me and tried to get me to dance. I politely declined (I’m even less into dancing than I am into singing). Her comeback was rather convincing: “When you hear the music, don’t you just want to get up and dance?” My response was even better: “No, I want to sit down and hit things!”
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.
Hal Blaine to be honored with Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award
Starting his career in the 1950s, Hal Blaine is best known as the drummer and founder of the legendary ‘Wrecking Crew’. He has recorded with numerous iconic artists such as Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and many more. He lent his artistry to Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" productions, creating one of rock and roll's most recognizable beats. However, Blaine's talent does not stop at the conventional drum set. Some of his best-known songs include him drumming on water jugs for the Beach Boys' "Caroline, No" and dragging tire chains across a concrete floor for Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Read moreNot So Modern Drummer Sales acquires distribution of Eccentric Systems Drum Company products
George Lawrence of Not So Modern Drummer and Lucas Jacobson of Eccentric Systems Drum Company entered into an agreement on November 26th for Not So Modern Drummer to handle sales, marketing and U.S. manufacturing/assembly of the Eccentric Systems products. Eccentric was founded by Lucas Jacobson, engineer, and inventor of the eccentric cam for the DW5000 bass drum pedals and designer of the DW9000 bass drum pedals and hi-hat pedals. Lucas later patented and manufactured his own products. The most well known Eccentric product is the Quick Torque Cam, an add-on to bass drum pedals that increases the drummer's comfort, control and speed.
Read moreRemembering Mickey Roker 1932-2017
MICKEY ROKER (1932 - 2017)
Philadelphia native, Mickey Roker lost his battle with cancer and diabetes at the age of 84. Granville William Roker, Jr. was born in Miami, Florida on September 3, 1932. The hard driving drummer with a heart of gold is now in Jazz Heaven. His over forty-year reign on the music scene is legendary.
Mickey worked with some of the finest musicians in the business…Including Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Milt Jackson, Sonny Rollins, Stanley Turrentine, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Nancy Wilson, Lee Morgan and numerous others.
Read moreReinventing the Wheel: Racks and Remote Hats From A Century Ago?
So you think that state-of-the-art rack system you emptied your bank account for firmly puts you among the pinnacle of 22nd Century Drummers, right? After all, it is equipped with a remote cable Hi Hat, so it's the “Latest and Greatest.” Would you believe your great grandfather, the guy you got those drummin' genes from, beat you to the punch by nearly a hundred years?
Read morePearl Hosts Second Nashville Drummers’ Lunch And High-End Drum Preview
Pearl Artists
Following the success of its first Drummer’s Lunch and Gear Preview in 2016, Pearl once again invited all members of the Nashville Drummers’ Facebook group to the Hard Rock Café’s Reverb Room to eat, play, and be inspired.
Read moreRemo Classic Fit Drumheads for vintage oversized drums prior to mid 60s
Looking for drumheads to fit your vintage kit? Remo listened and has developed the Classic Fit Drumhead for oversized drums made prior to the mid 60’s. The Classic Fit batter drumheads have a slightly narrower flesh hoop and step design yet maintains a standard outside diameter that does not interfere with the counter hoop. Available with Ambassador® Coated, Clear or Fiberskyn® film and sizes 12”, 13”, 14”, 16”, and 18”. Also available in a Snare Side Ambassador® Hazy, sizes 13” and 14”. The Classic Fit Drumheads will give you the classic sound and ease of head replacement you‘ve been looking for.
Read moreCymbal Maker Robert Paiste dies
George Lawrence, the staff and the writers of Not So Modern Drummer offer our condolences to the Paiste family, the Paiste employees and the Paiste endorsing artists.
This from the Paiste Company:
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Robert Paiste, family member, visionary cymbal maker and perennial company principal. In the four generations of family members to guide the company, Robert was a foremost presence. His contribution was of immense importance, and he shaped Paiste in major ways. Robert's life-long focus was the development and production of cymbals and gongs. As an uncompromising perfectionist, he established the benchmarks for quality, fidelity and consistency that are the hallmarks of Paiste today.
Along the way, his work led to numerous innovations, inventions and patents, and among his many accomplishments, the Formula 602, the 2002, and the Signature Series continue to stand out in the cymbal world. Robert's contributions to the realm of cymbal and gong instruments in fact transcended his activities within the Paiste Company. Through his efforts, he shaped and influenced the direction of the entire field in the past half century. Never satisfied, he forever thought of new directions and possibilities to create instruments, indeed, he lived his life for sound:
"Sound is vibration, and vibration is energy. Life energy is vibration and sound, also. So, for us, sound is part of a very deep, basic truth. We are not the only ones who feel like this. There are so many musical-minded drummers who get the same exciting feeling from playing their cymbals. It's not just the sound. It's the vibration, the touch, how it feels, and how it speaks to the drummer. It's a wonderful feeling to produce something, hand it over to the drummers, and see them get the same response. There's a deep truth behind it." - Robert Paiste
Robert was born in the family's country of origin, Estonia. The disruptions during the mid 20th century brought the family through Poland to Northern Germany, where in the late 1940s he joined his father Michail in cymbal and gong making. He moved to Switzerland in 1957 to found the company's new and present home base. Robert went on to lead Paiste together with his brother Toomas throughout the second half of the 20th century. Together, on the foundation of their father's and grandfather's work, they built a cymbal company of world-wide significance.
We are grateful for Robert's lifetime achievements.
Nick Marcy launches Austin Drummer Magazine
Veteran Austin.Texas drumstick wielder, teacher and drum book author Nick Marcy just put out his first issue of Austin Drummer Magazine and, if it's an example of things to come, it's going to be of great interest to drummers everywhere.
Read moreThe Gretsch Building Turns 100
I sometimes wonder if the people currently living on what used to be the seventh floor of the Gretsch Building are aware of all the musical history that happened there (and all of the stars and legends that walked those floors when they visited the factory).
Read moreNews for March 2016
The 2016 Snare Drum Olympics has started!
Not So Modern Drummer at The Chicago Drum Show
The "Drumwrapper" recovering machine is back in production
You can now donate to Not So Modern Drummer via Paypal and Stripe
There will be no Nashville Drum Show this year
New website categories and content
Hit Like A Girl Voting Ends March 27, 2016
Rip off alert
My friends, I am seeking the help of anyone that may have information on some missing gear. Unfortunately, my drum storage area was robbed and a lot of stuff was taken. So far, this is what I know has been taken
Read moreBello Drums for sale
Bello drums announces the sale of their boutique Fiberglass drum co. We are looking for a serious buyer to purchase our name, Bello Drums, our custom molds to make our shells, any and all other assets and inventory, and to retain our artist roster. Product training is available. The price is $20,000.00. Please, only serious applicants. Call 724-588-8193 ask for Bill Haller
A first hand account of Ringo's auction of drums and personal items that fetched over 9 million dollars
I was prized when Ringo picked up the sticks and started playing the kit. I was standing a few feet in front of him with an astonished look on my face. He began playing the beginning of Come Together and Ringo laughed when he saw me smiling and said “You caught that.” to which I said “Yes I did.” The last time Ringo played that kit as a Beatle was 51 years and nine months ago, truly a magical and historical moment.
Read moreBrady Drums announces closing
It is with sadness that we announce our decision to close Brady Drums.
Read moreThe most expensive drumhead in the world!
Valencia, CA- On November 7, 2015, the drumhead from the Beatles’ Ed Sullivan debut was sold at Julien’s auction in Beverly Hills, CA, for $2.125 million.
Read moreBill Ludwig's WFL III Drums Kickstarter Fund Raising Campaign Ending Soon
Hello everyone!! As most of you know, I have been working on WFL III Drums for about a year now and over the weekend we officially launched our Kickstarter campaign to help us launch this company to new heights. Check it out:
Read moreVic Firth: 1930-2015
We are heartbroken to share the news with you that Vic has passed away. Vic’s spirit and legacy will continue to live at the core of the Vic Firth Company. He will be missed beyond words.
Read more