????? I think you are somehow misinterpreting my post. It was meant to be funny, not negative, in -any- way, shape, or form. Maybe I didn't word it right.

No harm or foul intended. Sorry you read 'mal', or 'negative' intent into it. Wasn't meant that way.

Mick, You wrote:

>I appreciate the encouragement but it's still very humbling to sit across from a guy who's been playing for 50+ years and can move effortlessly from style to style without seeming to think about it first.

You shouldn't ever feel humbled, we're all always learning. In fact, when you hear me play, you should be thinking, 'That's the stuff this guy is teaching me how to play!'

And... I can't take credit for it! I learned -a lot- of that stuff from, Bobby Columby (through one of Bobby's top students at the time. My buddy, Lou would come home from his sessions with Bobby, and while it was all still fresh in his mind, he would pour it all into me) and you're the third generation getting the benefit of all that info. I sound like Bobby. After awhile, you will too! What do you think I'm getting you ready for? Bobby invented Fusion drumming, he was a Master of all styles on the drums, I'll be most happy to teach you/share with you, anything I know. If you stick with me long enough, you'll be a good, competent drummer ready for any musical situation from Rock to Jazz, Nee-Awlins to Brazil and everything in-between.

>However since you've been helping me out I now realize how some of my guitar students felt over the years. Same deal, execute 'til it's clean and tonefull and the speed will come, repeat.

Ah so, young Padawan... you've been paying attention! flower

Learn to work dem sticks! I want to move on to the 'fills, grooves, licks and tricks' section of the curriculum!

John