Once again, Rick Smith’s annual vintage and custom drum show at The Sphinx Shriners Center in Newington, Connecticut was a huge success.
Read moreThe 2016 Connecticut Vintage and Custom Drum Show
Danny Seraphine
Canopus and Drugan Drums at the Chicago Drum Show!
We caught up with Johnny Drugan of Drugan's Drums at the Chicago Drum Show where he was showing off the latest Canopus Drums...
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 moreNew Drum Wrap Manufacturer in Canada
Although the folks operating Walopus Drum Wrap have been producing drum wrap for the better part of a decade, it has been on a very limited scale. Before 2015 production was limited to a few designs in small quantities for a handful of drum enthusiasts local to the Greater Toronto area.
During the course of the last five years the folks at Walopus have perfected their formula to produce the most flexible, durable, gleaming and lustrous drum wrap possible
Bello 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
Buddy Rich: The Beat Goes On - Featuring Gregg Potter and Cathy Rich
Gregg Potter and Cathy Rich continue the legacy of Buddy Rich's music.
Read moreCanopus introduces reproduction of the vintage Ludwig baseball bat muffler
Canopus Drums has been very innovative in new designs of instruments, hardware and parts. Now their newest offering is a much needed improvement on an old classic- the CIM-20 baseball bat internal muffler. It is an exact copy of the baseball bat but with new features. Not So Modern Drummer carries all Canopus products.
Read moreA 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 moreReview and announcement of new Canopus Yaiba snare models and finishes
Canopus has added some new models and colors to the current Yaiba Maple and Birch snare series. Until last month the models were only available with the Yaiba kits I reviewed earlier this year. They are now available as individual drums in the Canopus snare line up. They are not up on the Canopus website yet so this is kind of a sneak peek.
Read moreBill Ludwig kicks off funding campaign for WFL III Drums
Vic Firth - An American Classic - My Tribute To The Man Who Touched My Life
"What you leave behind in not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." ~ Pericles
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 moreRhythm Retreat: Billy Cobham, Dave Weckl and Steve Holmes
Study with world class players in a world class setting! Drumming takes you on an amazing journey. Now there’s a way to take your journey further. Come experience Rhythm Retreat®—an exclusive getaway for those passionate about drumming.
IMMERSE YOURSELF AT OUR NEXT EVENT IN NEW YORK'S FAMED FINGER LAKES:
Billy Cobham Dave Weckl Steve Holmes
Ithaca, NY - August 30th through September 4th, 2015
Each all-inclusive Rhythm Retreat getaway package offers:
- Full-day instruction with each clinician
- Luxury lodging at a refined inn
- Daily travel to/from hotel, restaurants and recreation
- All meals, snacks and beverages
- Unique nighttime recreation
- Private group dinners with clinicians
6, 4 and 3-day packages available. Spouses and companions allowed. Restrictions apply.
For more information, visit: www.rhythmretreat.com
Billy “Thunder” Mason & Friends Show
Nashville drummer Billy “Thunder” Mason is holding his first-ever Billy “Thunder” Mason & Friends Show at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 6:30 pm. Billy’s diverse guests include YANNI drummer Charlie Adams, CHER/PINK drummer Mark Schulman and LOVERBOY’s Matt Frenette.
Billy’s set is very ‘immersive’ by way of utilizing concert footage from his time performing with country music star TIM MCGRAW. There are some surprise performances thrown in, but you’ll have to attend to witness those! Including a mix of Country, Pop, Rock and Classical genres, this show is sure to entertain all family audience members! Come and enjoy this first-ever drumming extravaganza with Billy “Thunder” Mason!
THE VENUE: The Wildhorse Saloon Nashville Address: 120 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN 37201 Phone: (615) 902-8200
The Wildhorse Saloon will be open to the public. Attendees wishing to be eligible for free giveaways MUST purchase a $20 ticket. The fee gives those attendees VIP seating in the venue’s dance floor area. Tickets are available through the Wildhorse Saloon’s gift shop all-day Thursday. Call: Michelle Hamilton at: (903) 748-7955 to have your name placed on the will call list as well and you can pay for your ticket at the door. The Wildhorse Saloon will begin accepting clinic tickets at 5:00 pm this Thursday.
A portion of the proceeds support OPERATION TROOP AID. This show is a first-of-it’s-kind - don’t miss it!
Joyful Noise appoints Todd Trent as Chief Operating Officer
Joyful Noise Drum Company is proud to announce the appointment of Todd Trent as their Chief Operating Officer. Todd is excited to bring over 3 decades of percussion industry experience to Joyful Noise. Having been in music retail, artist relations with Ludwig Drums, wholesale / OEM sales and marketing with Taye Drums as well as pro touring management, Todd is well suited to propel Joyful Noise. He has been a fan of the product, their mission and leadership team since the beginning of the company and now feels the time is right to add his abilities to such an outstanding company.
Neal Morse Band, featuring Mike Portnoy - Alive Again Tour
THE "ALIVE AGAIN" TOUR - FIRST STOP, NASHVILLE! The Neal Morse Band will be performing their much anticipated debut album, "The Grand Experiment." The band, featuring award-winning drummer Mike Portnoy, will play ONE NIGHT ONLY in Nashville at Rocketown - Saturday, February 21st!
The Neal Morse Band (feat. Mike Portnoy) Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 PM Rocketown (White Building) - Nashville, TN
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY AND WILL SELL OUT! Visit www.rocketown.com/events for tickets and more information.
The Neal Morse Band will be hitting the US, Canada and Europe for a winter tour in 2015 and the complete event listing can be found at www.radiantrecords.com.
William Kent (1915-2014)
William Kent, co-founder of the Kent Drum Company, passed away in his Buffalo, New York area home on December 11, 2014. William turned 99 years old last month and passed after a very short illness.
In 1947 William and Ed Kent opened the Kent Drum Company in Kenmore, NY with a focus to create student-level kits, encouraging music making at all economic levels. The company also offered professional-level drum sets, snare drums and percussion accessories. William was always proud of a common story told throughout the industry - "A Christmas morning surprise, in 1964 or 1965... for the young Ringo want-to-be, a new Kent Drum set under the tree!" The company closed in 1977, allowing William and Ed to retire. Drum Paradise, their retail shop next to the factory, closed the following year.
William Kent's 2013 NAMM Oral History interview: https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/william-kent
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Text courtesy of Dan Del Fiorentino, NAMM Music Historian.