I came up with a line that has served me well over the years. As a manufacturer's representative in the music business, I have been asked thousands of times what I play. Since I sold mostly guitars and amps, most business contacts just assumed that I played guitar or at least bass guitar. "No, but I can sell the crap out them". Then, I would be asked if I play any instrument. "Yes, I was a pro drummer before turning to the business side of the music business (an oxymoron if ever there was one)". The younger music store employees would also assume that the old guy selling to their bosses must be a jazzer. "Nope. I played old rock music when it was new. I also played a fair amount of standards music and the stuff required for wedding receptions. I also played country music if the band had to play it. But jazz? I'm too heavy-handed to play any jazz other than some swing beat tunes".

I played gigs since I was a junior in high school. Gig money while in college paid for some of my college degree. I played mostly wedding band type gigs after college and the army. When I began working as a manufacturer's rep, it required a lot of travel during the week. So, I stopped gigging, and was without drumming or drums for several years. I bought my first vintage drum set about three years before I retired. I have been a collector with self-imposed limits for the past seven or eight years.

My choices of drums during my playing years were Rogers, Camco, and Slingerland--NO LUDWIGS FOR ME. You may begin hurling rocks at me. My collecting, interestingly began with acquiring a Ludwig Vistalite set that I immediately traded for a great vintage Slingerland set. My collecting has developed to the point where I have Slingerland, Rogers, Leedy, and Walberg & Auge drum sets plus a Ludwig set always at the ready to trade for something that I really like. I have every A Zildjian cymbal that I ever bought since 1955--about four drum sets worth of cymbals. I own many vintage pedals and stands that are mostly made by Walberg and Auge for USA drum companies. My favorite pedals and hi hats are my vintage Rogers Swivomatics and Leedy Shelly Manne models made by Slingerland.

Every drum set I own could go out on any gig tonight, and do a good job. I can't say as much for the out-of-practice drummer.

If I play any less, I will be considered a collector. Though, I only have two sets, it hardly puts me in the collector's realm. Weak at collecting and playing, I suppose. (I am starting to feel the playing spark, again, though.)

In the past I've played rock, blues, swing (to a degree) and country. Played in what might then be considered a prog band, back in the late 70's - ended when we all graduated HS.

Most recent (2 years ago) I played some Jazz (Miles, Wes, and a few others) along with some Beck, Eric Johnson, Hellecasters and the like. That was fun, but the guys started going for a more loungey feel. Wasn't what I wanted to do at the time. Who knows what's ahead. Gotta knock the rust off and see what happens.

B

I would consider myself a collecting player. Granted, my collection is not huge, but I do play what I have. My road kit is my 2006 Ludwig classic maple in champagne sparkle, but for local gigs I use my 63 WMP Ludwig Super Classic and just picked up a 58 Ludwig project. For garage rehearsals and low volume situations I have a vintage MIJ micro kit made from a converted floor tom. If that wasn't enough, I also inherited 2 other modern kits from my brother who passed away....but I really don't play those kits.

As for the music I play...it's lots of rockabilly, roots rock, old school rock 'n roll, Tex-Mex, cumbia and other Latin-based music. At the age of 34, I've been at it for half of my life now and have no intention on stopping until I can no longer play. I just came back from a 2 week tour in Europe, so I've obviously been doing something right! My current band is called Moonlight Trio. Look us up if you are interested. www.reverbnation.com/ogmoonlighttrio

Cool topic, by the way!

Aaron

Bill-

KNOCK OFF THAT F***ING RUST AND PLAY, DAMMIT!!!!

Your long-eared, bushy-tailed pal,

bunnyman

Good onya!!!

I inherited my kit from my old man's untimely passing seven years ago give or take. I am not a lifelong drummer, never had a lesson, never in the band in H.S., none of that. I first hit the internet to find out some info. I got tossed from two forums in the first day or two then found this one where they have either ignored me for the most part or argued to all beat hell, but somehow in all of that they tolerate me hacking around here and a small handful actually may just like me! While here, however, I have pretty much learned all there is to know about my kit but the year is somewhat a mystery as the wrap leans newer and the vague serial numbers lean older but the dif is about five years and I don't care either way to be honest. I play drums as I have found them to be extremely therapuetic for whatever reason.

I put on my garage stereo which is constantly on 99.1 Blairsville, Pa. Then I put on my IPOD and attempt to play along to Smooth up in ya, Girlschool, Little Fighter, Gypsy Road, Modern Day Cowboy, Paradise City, Cherokee (the cool one, not the jazz one), Here I Go Again, Fly to the Angels, Fade to Black, Welcome to the Jungle, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Don't Close Your Eyes and about 750 other songs that fit this genre.

Hopefully, in the near future, a couple buddies from work are going to bring their axes and we are going to have an almost forty year old garage band! Of all of us, there will be one musician, the bass player who played for the Cherry Street Pushers in San Antonio for about ten years, and the rest of us wannabes!

All in all, the drums don't fit the music, the cymbals don't fit the music, the guy behind the kit doesn't fit the original, postage stamp sized throne and in all of that I find complete joy in playing my old man's drums to the songs I remember as being the best era of music!

have a wonderful evening

drumhack Chewie:guitar2guitar2Cool1guitar3

My favorite post. Love the heartfelt honesty and devotion to the kit. Keep swinging the wood, Dan. You have the perfect motivation for playing - pure joy.

I am a player first. I love collecting also, but do not have an extensive collection. I am 40 and grateful to still play in an all original rock and roll band. The music I play is on the heavier side, with blues elements (of course), groove and tons of feel. I love playing with vintage drums. I play a 1971 LUDWIG silver sparkle kit (24, 18, 14). I play with a LUDWIG blue sparkle, late 70's snare 6.5x15!!!! I also use a 1979 SUPRA 6.5x14. I go back and forth, playing both snares. By the way, if anybody can suggest a band name I would love to hear it..........we have been completely stumped for months in trying to come up with a cool band name.Cool1

The Generation Gaps!!!

toodles

drumhack guitar2PartyChewie:Yes Sirsinger

Ha, haaaaaa. I will, B-man. Kids' are back in school, so plenty of time.

B