News, Updates and Information Archive: 2005

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Drummin' . . .
posted December 13, 2005-

Hello all! I recently finished up programs with Merrill, South Park and St. John Neumann Middle Schools in Oshkosh. I have also completed the drum tracks for Danen Kane's forthcoming album. I'll be recording later this month with Jeff Mitchell, of Decorah, Iowa. Then it will time for a little holiday R&R! I am also working on a percussion recording of my own, inspired by Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. Surf on over to my 'Audio' page to hear a few of the ideas that I'm bouncing around. And please, let me know what you think. I would appreciate the help and criticism. Enjoy the holidays!

Happy T-Day
posted November 22, 2005-

Starting today, I'm at Smart Studios in Madison with Danen Kane, laying down drum tracks for his upcoming 2006 release.
If you are out-and-about after gobbling up the turkey this weekend, come on over to The Oshkosh Rhythm Institute, where I'll be presenting a FREE, open to the public, 'Sights & Sounds of Ghana' program at 1pm on Sunday.
Have a great Thanksgiving- see you soon!

Three New Percussion Compositions!
posted October 21, 2005-

A quick note to let you know about three new percussion pieces now available at www.reallygoodmusic.com . . .
"Two-rific" (Int/Adv) is a piece for a solo percussionist using two different pitched snare drums.
"Los Tambores Grandes" (Int) is a work for 5 pitched bass drums. This will give your marching line students something to do outside of the marching season. Great as a feature in a concert situation.
"West of Williston" (Eas/Int) is a duet for Parade Drums with train whistle and suspended cymbal, emulating the sounds of the historic Empire Builder.
And of course, "Djammin'", "The Joke" and "Who Be You?" are available there as well.
Check it all out at www.reallygoodmusic.com

Free Lessons!
posted October 18, 2005-

Hey, hey!! Powerspercussion.com now features FREE online drum lessons! Each of them are ".pdf" files that can be saved, printed & practiced. Click on the link below to check out the first few lessons (Easy Double Bass Drum Licks, Quad-a-diddles, & Achiagbekor For Drumset) and please, email me any lesson ideas that you would like to see posted in the near future.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE ONLINE DRUM LESSONS

Subdivider update
posted September 21, 2005-

The Shut Eye Records compilation, "Buzzlighter 11", will be out next month or early November. The release will include 'Vertigo,' a song I recorded on SUBDIVIDER's latest EP, 'Less Than I Can.' If you'd like to get your hands on a copy of the EP, send an email to subdivider@gmail.com . To nab the new Shut Eye compilation, keep an eye on http://www.shuteyerecords.com/buzz11.htm .

come on out . . .
posted September 12, 2005-

Busy month ahead . . . I'll be playing several shows in and out of the state with The Wandering Sons over the next few weeks, a handful with my old band Copper Box, Sundays and Mondays with The Jazz Orgy, and a special one-time-only show this Thursday with Nashville's Daniel Clark. Please click on over to my schedule page, dig up the details, and come on out and catch all of these awesome bands. Hope to see you out!

Trick & Treat
posted July 5, 2005-

Talk about a treat! Thanks a ton to Rick Nielsen and Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick for sitting in with The Wandering Sons in Appleton, WI and Rockford, IL on July 3rd & 4th!

new TWS EP!
posted July 3, 2005-

The Wandering Sons' new EP, 'Darken Your Door,' was released today. Come on out to a show and get your hands on a copy soon!

New York and New CD!
posted May 17, 2005-

New York City was a blast! A huge 'thank-you', from myself and all the members of The Wandering Sons, to Devon Evans- longtime percussionist with Bob Marley & the Wailers- for joining us onstage last Thursday at the Baggot Inn in Manhattan. The level of enthusiasm and musicianship was invigorating to all of us.

On another note- I am happy to announce the release of 'Less Than I Can,' the latest EP from SUBDIVIDER (Adam Fekete, Dave Jerabek & yours truly). Copies cost $7 and are available by email: subdivider@gmail.com or by coming to the CD release party at Fratello's at 9pm on Friday, May 27th.

The wandering Wandering Sons
posted May 10, 2005-

Thanks for stopping by.
Make sure to take a minute and click on over to www.thewanderingsons.com
We'll be at the Baggot Inn in New York City @ this Thursday, May 12th. Then at Third & Lindsley in Nashville on Monday, the 23rd.

Welcome to the new look!
posted April 21, 2005-

Thanks for visiting! Many thanks be to Mike Schwobe for taking on the task of completely redesigning this site.

Kids (of ALL ages)- make sure to click on over to Virtual Powers 1.1 and rock out on my drumkit with your mouse and keypad!

Teachers- download the new Classroom Preparation Package to get your students ready for the 'Sights & Sounds of Ghana.'

Drummers- download a copy of my recent Percussive Notes article 'Achiagbekor for Drumset' on the Press page.

Everyone- check out the photos from winter tour to Asia and don't leave without saying HI on the guestbook. Tell me what you thought about the last program or performance you were at. I would also love to get your emails with any questions or suggestions.

Thanks again for visiting- and check back soon (loads of audio, video & Virtual Powers 2.0 are on their way)!

Proud Uncle !!!
posted March 18, 2005-

A quick note to brag that my younger sister, Margo, gave birth last night to a beautiful baby girl- 9 lb.,9 oz. Lexi Lynn Holm! Everyone is healthy and happy. Congratulations to Margo and Mike!

Jesus Christ Superstar
posted March 14, 2005-

It's that time of year again- time to make your way to downtown Oshkosh and catch the local production of Jesus Christ Superstar. I would say that I will see you there, but I'll actually be hiding behind the curtain, pounding away on drums and percussion. The Lloyd-Webber and Rice musical, based on the last few weeks of Christ's life, will be performed at the Grand Opera House from Wednesday, March 23 through Saturday, March 26. Showtimes are: Wed, Thurs, Fri @ 8pm / Sat. @ 2pm & 8pm For tickets, call 920-424-2350 or visit www.grandoperahouse.org

Back from Asia
Good news and bad news
posted February 14, 2005-

The good news is, Asia was a blast- we had some great shows, saw some amazing sites and met some fantastic people. I really don't know where to begin telling about the trip, but a few highlights would be: the Great Wall, playing the Hard Rock Cafe in Beijing, duck intestines for dinner, riding elephants, tranquil meditation in mountaintop temples, and gongs, gongs, gongs!

The bad news came to us near the end of our trip, via email, informing us of the passing of our great friend and fellow musician, Matthew Golay. Myself and many other area players have spent countless nights on stage with Matt. He was most likely the busiest musician in the area; if he was not fronting his band on a particular evening, he was performing solo or duo, or hosting an open mic'. It is hard to believe that he will no longer be with us in flesh, but I do know that Matt's spirit will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, fans and all of the fellow musicians that he played
with and supported.

Here is an excerpt from "Thank You", a Matthew Golay original . . .

I got out of bed this morning
And the sun was shining bright
I stuck my head out the window and screamed
Thank you for this life
I'll take it day by day
I'll never ask for too much
I'll live my life the way I like
And I'll never give it up

Thank you for this life

Might we gain, from this tremendous loss, some of Matt's passion and thankfulness. We can learn to take nothing for granted and appreciate all that we are given. Thank you, Matt- I miss you.