Nic Marcy's Austin Drummer magazine summer 2017
Read moreMusic Stimulus, 68
A while back reading The Roots of Rock Drumming book, I researched the drummers interviewed in the book. Checking out some performances mentioned in the book, learning and trying to digest their contributions. Not long after that, we started messing with Austin Drummer Magazine, doing interviews with some local greats who gave impressive lists of music they went to school on to get their gigs. Since they were gracious enough to pass on extensive lists of music they learned from, I felt obliged to go at it like I was trying to get their gigs and soak up as much of their music as possible. The results were something I have to recommend you do for yourselves.
Read moreAustin Drummer Issue Winter/Spring 2017
Nick Marcy's Austin Drummer magazine. Winter/spring 2017 issue
Read moreAlan Dawson exercises in a New Orleans context
When I attended Berklee in the late sixties, I studied with Alan Dawson and couldn't endure his drive for perfection. I wanted to move forward in a quest for new concepts, and he wanted to make sure I dotted every “I” and crossed every “t.” Alan had the patience of a saint, while I was a child that couldn't get his pants up quick enough to get started every day.
Our personalities at the time were, in many ways, at polar ends of the spectrum; yet, his demeanor was easy going and he was easy to like. Alan would say, “Here's your assignment I expect you to put a lot of time into the concepts I give you,” which, in his delivery, might include a passive-aggressive tinge. Alan preferred to imply his core message, rather than just say it out loud. At the time I didn't get it: I couldn't wrap my little young-adult head around such nuance.
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