Buddy Rich

Watch and listen to the video above from 1980!
I found myself digging through memorabilia today. I was looking for a number of autographs and pictures I had of some great jazz, fusion and rock drummers. In the late 70's I was quite focused on drumming. I was planning on moving towards being a professional drummer. Of course, I still have that in the back of my mind, but it took a back seat after I attended college, got a degree (not in music) and then met my wife. My focus changed. I had the offer to go to California and play in Tahoe with a great jazz pianist, but I figured it would not be conducive to my new relationship. I was also headed in another direction (video journalism) which also allowed me to be creative. And it was a steady day job. I still would love to play in the big leagues. Who knows?

I had the chance to see the best drummers, and meet them in person. So I thought I would start sharing some of those experiences. I will start with (some call) the best: Buddy Rich.

Buddy Rich and His Killer Force! I can't remember the year. I will have to look it up. I will guess it was 1978. My mom took me to North Dakota State University to see the show. Somehow, I got a front seat. And fortunately, it was right next to the stage door.

I watched and listened in awe as the legendary Buddy Rich played harder than any drummer I have seen, ever. When you describe a jazz drummer, you might say, "he cooked." Well, Buddy cooked alright. He was boiling hot! Seriously.

Whether it was all "natural" or not, Buddy Rich played so intensely that sweat was dripping off his shirt, and down his face. Wow!

Towards the end of the concert, there was a man standing near the stage door. I don't know how it happened (whether my mom had something to do with it or not) but the man came over to me and said, "Come with me." I was taken backstage and got to meet Buddy seconds after he finished playing. I had this poster for him to sign. It was just me and Buddy. The sweat dripped onto this poster. But I kept it boxed up for more than 25 years. What a blast.

More greats to come!

Colorado Songs and Lyrics

Bob Seger performs tonight at the Pepsi Center. My wife and I saw him at McNichols Arena ten years ago (his last tour.) Tonight on 99.5 The Mountain they played a set of Bob Seger songs. "Get Out of Denver," was one. (I think that is the title.)

That made me think. How many songs about Colorado are there? Of course there is Rocky Mountain High, the John Denver classic (I wish I would have seen him at Red Rocks in 1983.) There is "Rocky Mountain Way," (I did see Joe Walsh perform that last summer at Red Rocks with the James Gang.) I saw the Dead sing, "I Know You Rider," at Red Rocks. That includes a line about Colorado.

What songs can you think of? I will start a thread over on the Message Board, so you can add your song to the list. Let's come up with the definitive list.

My musical background

I have a musical background.
I was a drummer from the word go.
I started playing when I was five.

My brother Mark played drums in the high school band. One day, I believe for his birthday, my parents brought him home a spectacular brown Ludwig drumset. I remember how cool they were up close. I was enamoured at a very early age by live music.

After kindergarten, when I was five, I would go to my Grandparents home (Granny and Fred Blumer.) Granny was, by far, the best grandmother in world history. I digress. On spring and fall afternoons, at 3:30 pm, I waited patiently for the high school marching band to start playing. Then, I would march behind them, just as they marched. The drums were nearby. They played a cadence to march in step to. I listened, and I learned it. Then, I would play on my brother's drums every day, that cadence. Until, (I think) I was just as good. I listened to the drummers play whenever and wherever they played, indoors at basketball games, or outdoors at football games. Then I would play and play and play every chance I got. It didn't hurt that my three older siblings and parents were into music. They had every single Beatle record, plus a great variety of classics. Mark soon got an 8-track player. The first three tapes he got were Chicago, Doobie Brothers (Toulouse Street), and Santana. I learned how to play, to that music.

By the time I was nine years old, I was known as a drummer in my home town. In fact, my best friend, Dale and I lived across the street from the local college. The musicians there also knew I played drums. On the night of the college "Variety Show" myself and Dale wondered into the Armory (Auditorium.) The college "rock" band was getting their gear tuned, levels checked, and practicing. They saw me, and asked me to come and sit in on drums! They taught me "Wipe Out" on the spot. It took 10 minutes to teach me. They asked, "Can you be back in one hour to play it LIVE?" I freaked out (as much as a 9 year old could). Then Dale and I went to my house and asked my mom if I could play. I could, and I did.

I played "Wipe Out" (a drum solo song) live with a college band, at age nine.


After we moved to Gwinner, ND in 1971, I went on to play with our high school band (while I was in 5th grade) and in informal rock bands. I got star ratings at state contests and was invited to be an All State musician. I attended the International Music Camp for two summers, then worked there over the next two summers. From 1976 through 1980 I played in two bands,"Flight" with Mark Arneson and then "Creed" with Brian Cross. Combined, we played perhaps 25 gigs; from Lisbon, Forman, Lidgerwood, Frederick, SD, Fort Ransom, Milnor, Rutland, and a few rural parties in between.

It was on to Moorhead State University, (Minnesota State University Moorhead.) There I played four years as the drummer in the outstanding, MSU Stage Band (under the direction of Al Noice.) Jazz, big band, Charlie Parker, Stan Kenton, Ellington, Count Basie, Rob McConnell...this was my music now. I will write more about jazz at a later time, when I can share my autographs and stories.

At the same time as I played big band and jazz, I was playing polkas, waltzes, country, 50's, and that type of music with the local legend, "Albert Mikesh." I will also write more about that later. There is a lot to write about. We played every single weekend, plus most Wednesday nights, for 4-5 years. That works out to about 500 gigs.

Of course, I played many other places too. But for now, I will stop reliving my past, as a drummer. I have not played professionally for decades. Although it is absolutely my first interest. I wanted to be professional drummer. But I knew better. I will try to play more in the future. If anyone needs a drummer - for a recording session - let me know. I can't play regular gigs (I actually am a professional now, with a mortgage etc...) Any style....from marching band...to rock, jazz, country, funk!