I am into many things in life. I love percussion, there’s no question, but I also have many other things that I love to dip my hands into. Like graphic design - I designed this site and I own my own business and have been quite successful at it. I’m also into DJing. I go by the moniker DJ Huff N Puff, and I gig out quite regularly. I also love radio broadcasting and like to dabble in video editing and streaming media. All these other things are great and fun to do and I’m pretty good at them.

But I got to thinking … all this other non-drumming stuff that I’m very talented at, I don’t consider myself gifted at. I enjoy web design and really love to see projects come together (and the money isn’t half bad) but at some point in each project, I come to a place where I’m working out of an empty place and it becomes almost pure drugery to continue on. I’ve never experienced with percussion. With drums, I’m always working out of a place of passion and not talent. Ok, so I’d consider myself talented in percussion, but it’s my gifting so it never becomes a chore. I never get empty while teaching, or recording, or studying music or percussion. Sure, I get fatigued and tired and need to step away, but I’m never empty.

I challenge anyone reading this to find what you’re passionate about. If you can do in life what your gifting is, then you’ll have a lifetime of happiness.

Okay .. my zen time is done.

Filed under: Opinion | No Comments »

I’m playing with Neal Bowen and Jonathan Penalber in a little Jazz combo called The BeBop Broadcasting Network and I was thinking I need to get on of those retro bass drum decals like Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa had back in the 30’s-50’s.

Originally, I looked into using vintagelogos.com, but while $35 for a decal isn’t bad, I know I could squirt out my own design for less. So I popped open Illustrator, spent about an hour getting one together and called up my local sign shop. To my amazement, they only charged my $10 to get one of these decals made! So I ordered 2 (and got 6 by the time it was over … long story) - one to put on my 18″ Mapex and one to put on my 22″ Starclassic.

They look really great. As soon as I get a pic of one on the drum itself, I’ll post it up.

Filed under: Tips/Hints/DIY | No Comments »