Jim Bogios reflects on Levon Helm.
Levon Helm was the best singing drummer in the world period. He inspired me at a very young age to sing while playing drums. The thing about Levon was that when he sang and played drums at the same time, neither suffered one bit. This is not an easy thing to do. He was such a soulful musician and person, with an unbelievable feel and musicality.
In my early days of playing drums with Sheryl Crow, I had the unlikely pleasure to play with Levon. He was very complimentary and encouraging. We were playing a few songs together for a TV show. It was Levon, Sheryl, James Taylor, and Steve Winwood. Levon was happy for me to play drums while he was on Mandolin. I have nothing against James Taylor, but the whole time while rehearsing, he kept trying to get Levon behind the drums. Levon was not having it, but Taylor just wouldn’t let it go. Finally, in front of everyone Levon said, "I think my man Jim has it well taken care of back there." Discussion over! Needless to say as a young drummer, getting the thumbs up from one of my heroes made an impact on me from that day forward.
I always go back to the Last Waltz. You watch that movie with all these legendary players, and the one person that stands out is Levon Helm. He was a star amongst the stars!
Jim Bogios
(Singing Drummer for Counting Crows)
April 20, 2012 at 12:30 pm / Posted in: Artist News
Aquarian artist/Blake Shelton drummer Tracy Broussard and RoadDawg Online at the ACM’s!
Tracy does the gear rundown!
April 19, 2012 at 11:05 am / Posted in: Artist News
We proudly welcome John Wackerman to the Aquarian Family!
Part of the legendary Wackerman drum family, John is the Musical Director and drummer for Terry Fator in Las Vegas and hosts the annual Las Vegas Drum Festival. He has performed with artists ranging from Bunney Brunel to Lindsay Buckingham. John also released a Drum Duet CD and book featuring Steve Gadd, Peter, Erskine, Run Tutt, Clayton Cameron, Adrian Young, Steve Smith, Josh Freese, John Ferraro, Brooks Wackerman, Ricky Lawson, Chuck Wackerman, Marc Atkinson, Chad Wackerman, Alex Acuna, and Gary Novak.
April 19, 2012 at 10:02 am / Posted in: Artist News
“SOLO SECRETS OF THE LEFT HAND AND BASS DRUM” What the pro’s are saying about the New Book by Roy Burns
Jack Mouse - Award winning jazz drummer and percussion instructor at North Central College, IL.
Over the years Roy Burns has continued to make contributions to virtually all facets of the art of drumming. The latest invaluable offering from the all-time master technician is “SOLO SECRETS”.
SOLO SECRETS is to the drummer what calisthenics are to the professional athlete. I can’t wait to include the material in my personal practice routine and to share it with my students.
Be sure to check out the DVD that is included with SOLO SECRETS to see all of the applications of the material in the book. This book is the STICK CONTROL on Steroids.
Evan Stone – Professional Drummer and Teacher, Fullerton, CA.
This book is chock full of exercises that will help develop the left hand along with bass drum in a very musical way.
Most of my students complain that their left hand is weaker than their right. This book solves this problem and takes an in depth look at the left hand weakness to develop it into a strength.
As a master teacher, Roy is practical in his approach to drumming and in sharing of information to practice, which helps the student cut through the nonsense and get to the important stuff. Each section develops your coordination gradually and naturally until you get to the final section 4 where you are applying them with challenging solos!
The added bonus DVD of Roy’s last drum clinic makes this a book a… » Continue Reading
March 30, 2012 at 11:34 am / Posted in: Artist News
New Vid lessons from Chip Ritter!
March 2012 “Chip Chops” New Drum Lesson Videos!
Aquarian Drum Heads Artist Chip Ritter has released the official “Season Premiere” of his new downloadable drum lesson videos! Episode
1 is available online today
March 13, 2012 at 9:28 am / Posted in: Artist News
Gregg Potter and the Buddy Rich 25th Anniversary Memorial Concert!
March 8, 2012 at 11:03 am / Posted in: Artist News
Three new drum books from Roy Burns!
Kendor Music Announces Collaboration With Roy Burns
Delevan, Y – Kendor Music, Inc. proudly announces an exciting collaboration with Roy Burns to publish three new books by the iconic drummer: Solo Secrets; Relaxed Hand Technique; and The Creative Drumset Workbook. Slated for release in February 2012, Solo Secrets (Of The Left Hand And Bass Drum) is based on the drum set artistry of Roy Burns. This book will improve the drummer’s left hand technique, bass drum control, hand-to-hand coordination, overall speed, and rhythmic creativity in any playing style or idiom. Solo and fill-in playing skills are enhanced through use of the entire drum set. Edited by percussionist and well-known educational composer Murray Houllif, the book includes a DVD featuring Roy Burns’ amazing final clinic in 1989. Roy’s clinics were a balanced mixture of good natured humor, education, demonstrations, information, questions and answers, and finished off with a powerful exciting drum solo featuring Roy’s phenomenal techniques. At the beginning of the clinic, Roy’s opening single stroke roll on a snare drum got the message across that this was going to be a meaningful and business like educational experience for all ages. NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME ANYWHERE you can see a vintage Roy Burns clinic on the DVD with Roy’s first new book in years (The only Roy Burns clinic on film). Available from music retailers or kendormusic.com (item #21194, $17.95).
Roy Burns became famous as a big band drummer in his early twenties… » Continue Reading
February 21, 2012 at 9:28 am / Posted in: Artist News
