News, Updates and Information Archive: 2004

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Quick! . . . before the plane leaves
posted December 28, 2004-

The visas are processed, the bags are packed and we're set to go. (OK, so the bags AREN'T really packed yet. But, come on, I've got a few hours!) Bags or no bags- Asia, here we come!

A couple of things for you to watch for over the next couple of months . . .

1) I'm playing on Donna Ruzicka's recent release, 'Song of Songs.'

2) 'Just Drums II '- the double-disc percussion sampler from Fever Pitch Records has gone to press and will be out any day. I contributed one track to the compilation- 'GarbageHU'- a version of the West African piece Gahu, played on my Junk Jam toys (frying pans, pickle buckets, etc.). Watch for it at www.feverpitchfever.com

3) Originally scheduled for April, my article 'Achiagbekor for Drumset' will appear in the February issue of Percussive Notes, published by the Percussive Arts Society. Check out the PAS at www.pas.org , and if you aren't already a member- JOIN NOW! Consider it a Christmas present to yourself, or to your favorite drummer.

4) Keep your eyes peeled for Helen Exner's upcoming album, probably to be out in mid-winter. I'm playing on half of the tracks on the album. The other half are covered by Appleton's own Greg Thiel.

Alright- I'm off to China and Thailand. Happy Holidays!

Student Drumhead Art Show!
On display now at the New Moon Cafe!
posted Nov. 23, 2004-

November is International Drum Month! It's time to celebrate! With help from Henri's Music I gave a drumhead to each of my drumset students. The heads were taken home, painted, cut, melted, glued, returned and are now on display for your viewing pleasure at the New Moon Cafe in downtown Oshkosh. All participating students received a coupon from the cafe and a free pair of drumsticks from Henri's Music. Come on down, grab a coffee, check out the artwork . . . and just think, International Tuba Month is right around the corner!

Asia this time 'round
posted Oct. 28, 2004 -

The flight is confirmed. I leave December 29th for a performance/travel/study trip in Asia. I will be traveling with the Christian folk band The River Beneath , stopping 17 hours in South Korea on our way to China. We will be there for a couple of weeks, then it is off to Thailand. In addition to the gigs that are lined up, I am planning to study some traditional Thai musical instruments with Panya (pronounced 'bun-YA') Roongruang at the university in Bangkok. Our return date is February 15, 2005. Check back here for more details.

Leadership Oshkosh
posted October 2004 -

I will be facilitating two group Junk Jam workshops for the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce in the upcoming months. On Wednesday, November 10, a group of area High School Juniors will participate in a team-building Junk Jam workshop for the Youth Leadership Oshkosh Arts & Culture Day. On Wednesday, December 15, Leadership Oshkosh's adult class will participate in the new Junk Jam spin-off, 'Rhythms at Work'- a program designed for corporate groups, raising awareness of the many rhythms that co-exist and sometimes conflict in the workplace.

www.reallygoodmusic.com
September 2004 -

Four of my percussion compositions are being published by R.G.M. and are now available for purchase online at www.reallygoodmusic.com . 'Who Be You?' is a middle school ensemble piece for six percussionists, 'Buckets of Nantucket' is scored for four 5-gallon pails and a garbage can, 'Djammin' is a djembe duet and 'The Joke' is a solo for drumset. Check it all out on the R.G.M. website.

ON THE AIR . . .
May 2004 -

Oshkosh Community Access Television/Channel 2 will be airing one of my recent programs early this month. `Spotlight on Schools: Carl Traeger Elementary- The Sights & Sounds of Ghana' will be airing on Channel 2 on Wednesday, May 5th @ 6pm, Saturday, May 8th @ 3pm & 7pm, and Sunday, May 9th @ 6pm.

GOT THE FEVER ?
April 2004 -

Don't miss the April issue of Fever Pitch Magazine. It includes myself interviewing Emmanuel Agbeli, an Ewe master drummer in Kopeyia, Ghana. I also contributed a track to Just Drums II , a two-disc compilation of percussion compositions being released on Fever Pitch Records . The project features pieces by more than 30 percussionists, including Kim Zick (from Mrs. Fun), Billy Martin (from Medeski, Martin & Wood) and many other of my favorites. Check it all out @ www.feverpitchfever.com

OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION FROM GUINNESS!!
February 7, 2004 -

I just received four certificates and a letter of confirmation from Guinness World Records in London, England. Patrick Flanigan, Peter Buxman, Namiah Tribolini and myself now officially hold the World Record for Longest Drum Roll by a Group! Thanks go to Drum Workshop, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Latin Percussion, the Percussive Arts Society, DRUM! Magazine, the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, Rick Maki and the New Moon Coffee Company, Fr. Dan Felton, Andrea Cardinal, Mark Martin, Bobby Youngs, Jaime Doemel, Brian Mitchell, Benjamin Cloyd, Robin Cardell and the Oshkosh Rhythm Institute, Gretchen Herrmann, our friends and families, and everyone that attended the event and supported us throughout the day. I personally want to give a special thanks to Namiah, Peter and Pat for buying into the crazy idea, stepping up to the plate, and making it happen.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CERTIFICATE

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 'OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN' ARTICLE

DRUMMING UP FUNDS FOR GHANA-

Come help me support Smith Elementary and school children in West Africa.

When: Tuesday, February 3rd (6:30-8pm)
Where: Smith Elementary School- Oshkosh, WI
- - FREE Admission - -
Open to the public, this introduction to the sights, sounds and culture of Ghana is a fundraiser to help Smith Elementary purchase a collection of West African hand drums. The drums will be purchased through an organization called Global Youth Empowerment , where some of the proceeds will go toward building a primary school near the town of Ho, in the Volta Region of Ghana, very close to where I studied in Kopeyia. The program will include slides, video and of course, lots of drums! Hope to see you there.