Scott

I'd be honored to perform under your audio presence, although it looks like the bands you work with are national acts. Looks like you are all pro with your work, (and gear) complete with fans for the drummer??? nice.

so how did you stack all those snares on top of one another without falling over? LOL

> I'd be honored to perform under your audio presence,

Big +1

Scott,

When people love what they do, they not only do it well, but they elevate it to another level for everyone around them. (By the way, your 'symmetrical snare drum stacking' was worthy of a spot right along side the dish-spinner on the old, Ed Sullivan Show!) How great it must have been for the musicians/drummers, that somebody went out of their way to offer them a selection of instruments deserving of display in a full-blown drum shop. That's the kind of thing that defines a real pro. Nothing speaks louder for -your love- of music, than the environment you created for those young guns. You raise your work to the level of Art. It's the highest compliment I can think of. Because -you- were there, the experience was made better for everybody.

I've never played in front of a crowd that large. If it had been me backstage, I would have soiled myself from nerves and had to have a Rodie assigned to follow me around with a puke-bucket!

You did good, Squint. Real good!

*John - *The 'real' Purdie! Not the one that lives inside your head! LoLoLoLo :p

Slingerland and Purdie,

First of all, thanks for the compliments. As mentioned, Backline rental is something I provide because I have a bunch of paid for gear and it keeps some of my key guys employed. I seldom get a chance to go out myself as I often tied up with other aspects of the business. This particular weekend worked out for me as I was available and the producer is a very good friend of mine. So I grabbed my toys and tried to serve these guys as best as I could. I told my wife that the event went really well but I wasn't entirely sure what to do with that success as I can't really afford to be a full time drum tech even though it does pay quite well. :-)

I am doing the same thing for a festival in Ohio at the end of this month that is a gig I picked up because of the Labor Day event. Two drum kits and two stages this time.

As to how to go about stacking snares like that? I hold them all together with Moongel.

Lastly, either of you guys would have been right at home behind the kit. I am sure you would have shown the young guns a thing or two. Anyone who studied with Bobby Columby (even second hand) is top shelf in my book!

This weekend we were in Dallas providing rental backline for an event with about 30,000 in attendance. Load-in and 8 sound checks on the first day and 13 bands performing on the second. Note the temperature and time of day. This was in the shade. It had dropped to 104º by about 8:00pm but with the wind chill factor, it only felt like 101º.

The Spaun kit is one of mine that I provided for a drummer who is a Spaun endorser. We set it up under a shade cover off stage and then rolled it into place when it was time. Otherwise it would have just been brutal. Well, now that I think of it, it was brutal anyway. The primary kit for the day was a DW Collectors Series. (photo taken on another show).

Big thanks to George Lawrence from whom I borrowed the cymbal display stand.

Scott,

I am impressed!! Is this the gig you needed marchers for? If so, did that go OK??

Bill

It is indeed. They brought their own which was a good thing. It is actually a pretty exciting moment in their show where the band forms a mini drum line.

Thanks for sharing this with us, George is a class act also !

Hey Squint. Purdie here, still soiling myself and puking. HA! Just kidding, it's just little old me, the cute one.

Wanted to say that I love that Spaun kit! I can't recall ever owning one. It looks pretty cool. Do you often have to provide a personal kit for these outings? That would be very uncomfortable to me.

See? Now we have a running gag that is nearly a year old!

As to personal gear, since it is my company it is all personal gear. With the exception of snare drums, I don't rent out any vintage gear unless it is requested. I take really good care of my rental gear and it all is in top notch shape, but it's primary purpose is to make money. The fact that it makes money and is a passion for me is a real bonus. I like helping drummers choose a suitable snare drum and cymbal package and keeping the drums tuned for them and to act as an intermediary between drummers and the audio crew.

Spaun drums are quite nice. They are, like so many others, Keller shells, but Brian does really nice finishes and he uses a custom lug that I like a lot. Single point, solid brass. Very nice. He uses a double 45 bearing edge so the drums are very modern sounding. The toms tune exceptionally well. I was not a huge fan of the coated pinstripes that were requested and I had to replace a brand new 14" as it was dead as a door nail upon installation. That particular kit has custom short toms which are 7x10, 7x12, 14x14 and 14x16. They were special ordered for The drummer for Baby Face. The 7" deep 12" tom allows the rack toms to sit really low. That gives the drum a bit more attack as well. It's a cool kit and has been all over the country several times as well as quite a few cruises to the Bahamas and Mexico. I also have a second Spaun kit that is more traditional in size. By the way, Brian Spaun is a really great guy.