rick1646498
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Life's a Drum, and I'm Playing It Loud

Childhood: The Beat Begins

I was apparently a prodigy banging on kitchenware, but it wasn't until age ten that I truly embraced my destiny: drumming. My neighbors might've invested in earplugs, but shutting off my head and pouring out all that energy was pure bliss for me.

The Roaring 20s (Mine, Not the Flapper Era)

Drumming was king, but I soon discovered guitars were magnets for friends (and, yes, girls). Enter my rock band era—guitars, singing, writing 180 ballads, and comedy songs. Imagine my surprise in my 50s when I discovered my old tunes had fans in Europe! A Greek magazine did a feature on me and my first album, there was a two-hour radio tribute to my music a few years ago, and a modern touring dance company put dance to a guitar instrumental I did and debuted it in Paris!
HAIR: More Than Just a Head Thing
Yep, I had more hair back then. It even had a color! But I'm talking about the musical "Hair." A bunch of friends convinced me to audition for the chorus, and I wound up landing the lead over nearly 100 experienced actors (of which I was not.) My journey on stage was unexpected, scary, and thrilling.

30s: The Synthesizer Symphony

There was music in my head, instrumental arrangements that needed more than a guitar. After having filled a 1,100-seat venue in 1980, playing guitar and singing 2 ½ hours worth
of originals, I put down my guitar and never looked back. Synthesizers allowed me to write for horns, strings, flute, sax, keyboards, etc., and bring to life the music in my mind.

40s: The Wildman Cometh

I always love to drum, but it can be lonely to drum by yourself and not very musical. So, I started hosting drum circles, and they were a hit! I made them free of charge so they wouldn’t exclude anyone. It wasn't just about the rhythm but the community-building and the sheer joy of playing together like when we were kids.

It was so addictive. I started drum circles in schools, in communities, … all over. Experience Drums magazine named me a “Community Saint,” but it was the other way around – all the drummers kept me sane and happy. I got to make some of the best friends of my life. I love seeing novices catch the rhythmic spark that comes from hitting a drum.

I was a co-founder of the Eastern Massachusetts Rhythm Festival, now in its 20th year, and got hired to start other drum circles. Today, I keep the beat for several bands in Santa Fe, NM, USA – rock, blues, and kirtans. I’ve been honored to have drummed in Buddhist temples, Sikh Gurudwaras, and Hindu temples in India.

Screen name:
rick1646498
Member since:
Sep 15 2022
Active over 1 month ago
Level of commitment:
Committed
Years playing music:
55
Gigs played:
Over 100

Influences

Gene Krupa, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Bill Bruford, many more...

Instrument experience:

Drums:
Advanced

EQUIPMENT

80+ hand drums and various amps, and mikes.

MUSIC