TODD SUCHERMAN-STYX IN MILWAUKEE.....

It is great to live where I do...Literally everyone comes through here, sometimes several times a year. Styx is one of them, and seeing them live with Todd Sucherman is always something I look forward to.

I have known Todd for many years now, and have seen him live with the band, and in clinics on numerous occasions. To try to summarize his playing would be a ridiculous effort. His knowledge and skills are so vast & diversified....You literally could go on forever. Suffice to say, as I have said before: He is one of the greatest drummers to ever sit behind a kit. As well, as every-single-person knows...He is also one of the greatest guy's personally. And not only in drumming, but in all of music.

Mark Terek from Pearl Drums was there also, and it is always, quite frankly, a gas to see him. This guy cracks me up, and always has. I bought gear from him at a local store many years ago, and he was the best at that. We all used to talk about that he would always be hugely successful in this business somehow, and he has been. He has been a rep. for Pearl Drums for a long time now, and is easily one of the best in this business. They are lucky to have him.

Going to shows and hitting the road is getting harder for me all of the time with business as good as it is. I am, as I tell people, chained here. But...It is all in a good kind of way. It is something I will always do though, is important, really look forward to, and am Thankful I can do it. You run into people that you would not see otherwise. This show was one of them, and I ran into some of my close friends that live practically down the street that I don't see that often. Todd's brother Paul was also there, and like Mark....Is a lot of fun, and very comical. Another top-tier player that carries wide respect, John Cee, was there and it was cool to run into him. Music, especially live, unfailingly brings a lot of people together with the right vibe.

Styx is getting ready to release a new album which I am really looking forward to. You know it will be a knockout record if you have seen them live. It truly is unbelievable how great they are. Interesting they had an Intermission at this show. I was like ??, and it took me by surprise. At the end though...It is a great way to do it, and I think everyone dug it. They came back, and literally and instantly recaptured the audience. Something special as well about "Light Up" that night....I still have that in my head.

Thank You Again Todd.....Hope to see you sooner than later....

http://www.toddsucherman.com/

http://transmissionmedia.com/styx/

TOMMY RICKARD-NEW VAIN RECORD-ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES...BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14....

I recently received my copy of the new Vain record-"Rolling With The Punches". I had read about this some time ago and touched base with Tommy about it. He was the drummer for Vain in the earlier years, and it was great to hear he was going to be on it, and that he was using his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14. 

I gotta say....This is not a great record, but an incredible one. They recaptured the sound and vibe of this band perfectly. It has a great analog-vibe to it in many parts, amazing musicianship, and quite honestly-Every single song on this record is great. I listened to it in the car which I do often....It is (for me) much easier to break it down into parts that way. It got my attention right from the start with the title track "Rolling With The Punches," and is a record that I will re-visit often. 

Thank You Tommy....I really appreciated this. As with all pro's...Your playing could not have been finer on this. (Please see the Latest News 2/28 for more information on Tommy....)  

http://www.tommyrickard.com/

JIM VOGT IN ALASKA.....BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 14....

From the beginning, Jim Vogt has been great to deal with. I heard from him several weeks ago again, and he is so great about staying in touch. Hearing from players is something I really enjoy.  

He was one of my first customers, and to this day continues to use his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 constantly. He is a very in-depth player, and is a big fan of Steve Michaud & Rod Morgenstein' playing, along with many others. In these particular pictures he was working on some Calypso Rhythms.

Jim has also been a long-time mainstay in The Thneeds. The band has been together for quite some time, and are working throughout Alaska constantly. 

Great to hear from you Jim. Thank You for always having the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 along with you. Look forward to staying in touch as always....   

https://www.facebook.com/Thneeds/

RON OTIS-NEW SOLO RECORD & NEW RELEASE FROM ZAP TORO-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--4 X 15 & 5.5 X 14....

Several weeks ago I got a surprise package from Ron Otis. It included a copy of his latest solo record: "Stay In Your Lane", and a new record he did with the World Groove Project from Detroit: "Zap Toro-Vision Quest". For both of these he used his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 & 1.5 Steel--4 x 15. 

Ron has been incredible to deal with since the first time I came into contact with him. He is massive talent, and is a modest & unpretentious player who garners enormous respect. He is one of the industry's greats in Smooth Jazz & R & B, and is always the consummate pro & gentleman. I have said this to him on several occasions and will repeat it again: If you want to be successful in the music business...He is a prime example on just how to do that.

His primary drum is the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14. That drum has been used extensively on the road with KEM on two arena tours: The Forever Charlie Tour & Promise To Love Tour. The 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 was also used on the Promise To Love Tour as well, and he also has a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15. In addition, he performs regularly with Aretha Franklin, and is a long time collaborator with Earl Klugh. 

Thank You Ron for everything. I have played each of these records through three times, and they will be in my rotation here-Permanently. Your playing & music is as one might expect....Masterful. 

   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDZvqiBKkjo

http://www.musicbykem.com/

HAPPY EASTER FROM BEIER DRUMS!

ANDY PARKER LIVE WITH UFO-SPRING TOUR WITH SAXON-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14....

Without a doubt, UFO is one of the most influential & beloved melodic hard rock bands in history. No matter what band you are talking to, article or interview you are reading from some of the great bands from the 80's & 90's and beyond...Their name pops up as one their favorites, and one of their main influences. It is unbelievable the respect that they garner in the music business, and have held for four decades now. Iron Maiden still to this day plays their music before their live shows as a nod of respect to them. From Slash, to Tesla, Def Leppard, to Firehouse....They all love this band.

I saw them twice recently, and as always, and as one would suspect...They were spectacular. Andy Parker was using his main, the 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 for this tour with Saxon. That drum is his go-to for all US tour dates, and the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 is for all European tour dates. Both drums have been for years now. He also has a number of other sizes which he has used live and in the studio, and has a new drum which will be used in Europe when they head back this Summer. I will update this then. 

I have been dealing with Andy almost since the beginning of Beier Drums, and it has always been a source of huge pride here. UFO has been one of my favorite bands since I was 14 years old, and it never fails to amaze me how time can swing back around with all of us. He has used my drums on countless tours, the last three studio albums, and  it was also included on UFO: The Best Of A Decade. The new album is being mixed and will be out soon as well to make it the fourth studio album.

Mike Collins flew in from Portland for the Chicago show, and that was a ton of fun. More on that in the Latest News in a few days. Thank You Andy Parker for everything, and to Joe Schaeffer Photography for use of one of the amazing shots he captured of the band on this tour.

   

Image by Joe Schaeffer Photography

http://www.ufo-music.info/band.htm

http://www.ufo-music.info/andy/

SCOTT THOMPSON LIVE WITH LARRY FRICK--WILDHORSE SALOON-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14....

Scott Thompson is always playing in Nashville when he is not on the road with Colin Raye & Pure Prairie League. This month he was back the Wildhorse Saloon again with Larry Frick.

At the end of May he picked up a 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14, gave it a spin during this show, and absolutely loved it. This is one of three Beier Drums that Scott uses, he also has a 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 & 5.5 x 14 which are his mains on the road.

Thank You Scott...Sounds like the drum is in the right place with the right player. That.....Is Awesome to hear! Looking forward to seeing you soon live....

"Sounds....AMAZING"

Scott Thompson

http://collinraye.com/

http://pureprairieleague.com/

MAT DONALDSON OF DRUM WORLD TULSA-WESTON HORN VIDEO SHOOT-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--8 X 14.....

Mat Donaldson, the owner of Drum World Tulsa, recently posted a great set of pics with his 1.5 Steel--8 x 14-Gloss White. This drum has been his main for several years. That has always been a huge compliment to Beier Drums. Mat has been in business for many, many years, and pretty much has seen and played it all.

The below pics are from the video shoot for Weston Horn's upcoming album release this Summer. I have been looking forward to this record for some time, and there is little doubt it will be a great production.

Will update the Latest News when the record is out. Thank You Mat Donaldson for everything....

http://drumworldtulsa.com/

DANIEL TOMMASINO PHOTOGRAPHS OF DAVID NORTHRUP-LIVE WITH THE OAK RIDGE BOYS-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14...

Daniel Tommasino, of Daniel Tommasino Photographs, recently published some great live shots of David Northrup live with the Oak Ridge Boys. The first two images are David live with his 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14. That drum has been a constant touring, studio & clinic drum for him for quite some time. The third overhead image he is using his Craviotto which is also one of his mains for the road. 

Daniel was great about permission to use these images, and I really, really appreciated it. It is a very difficult task to capture musicians live, and he does an incredible job at it. I addition to concert images, he does a wide array of work on virtually any subject matter. Please do visit his website.

Thank You Again Daniel..... 

http://www.dtphotographs.com/

NASHVILLE'S TYLER BRONSON SMITH-LIVE WITH THE BEIER 1.5 STEEL--4 X 15...MICHAEL GRANDO...

Tyler Bronson Smith was out live in Nashville this last weekend, and he posted an excellent set of clips on Instagram with the 1.5 Steel--4 x 15. The drum was Michael Grando's, and he has always been great about lending out his snare drums from Beier Drums to other drummers. Michael has also used that drum live extensively in Nashville, and on the road with Joe Diffie who he is the touring drummer for. 

It was great to touch base with you Tyler....I really appreciate the clips. They are so well done, and your chops are just simply killer! Really looking forward to staying in touch, and Thank You to Michael Grando as always.....

"Michael Grando loaned me his Beier 1.5 Steel--15 x 14. The depth, warmth, and articulation in this slim snare is really incredible. Nice work...."

Tyler Bronson Smith

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSm__ZRB4cO/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSoajpABZMk/?taken-by=happyguyty

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSpT_7bB8fH/?taken-by=happyguyty

TONY FARRELL JR. & VOIGHT MUSIC-NEW DEALER FOR BEIER DRUMS-JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN-

Voight Music in Janesville, Wisconsin, is a new dealer & just received their first delivery from Beier Drums: The 1.5 Steel--7.5 x 15. I am really looking forward to working with them, and any drum will be able to be ordered through them. I was at the store several month's ago for a clinic, and it is a fantastic full-scale facility.  The staff is super educated and experienced. and the entire operation is a huge asset not only just to Janesville, but Wisconsin.

Thank You Tony Farrell Jr....Looking forward to seeing you in the store soon. I really appreciate your enthusiasm for my work, and it is great to be with Voight Music.

As well, I want to take the opportunity to express my Thanks to one of the greatest drummers and people I know. You know who you are.....Thanks bud~

https://www.voigtmusic.com/default.aspx

MICHAEL CHRISTIAN.....DRUM BADGE COLLECTION.....INDONESIA.....

Sending out a big Thank You to Michael Christian in Indonesia here this morning....

Michael recently contacted me about sending him a badge for his collection of drum badges. This is such a great idea, I was delighted to send him one. He already has a lot of these, and over time there is no doubt this is going to be an unbelievable collection, and probably the largest.

Please do follow Michael on Instagram at snaredrumfreakz. He is inching up on 75,000 followers, and he has daily posts on snare drums from around the world. 

Tx Michael!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSLT5xYlDPk/

THE SHOW PONIES-NEW VIDEO-KEVIN BROWN-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 15......

The Show Ponies just released their video for the track "Kalamazoo" off their latest record: "How It All Goes Down". Kevin Brown used his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15 on this track, and has that drum on the road with the band. 

Link below for the clip, and their website for tour dates & information to purchase their new release. Thanks Again Kevin....Really nice talking to you last week. Great clip & tune!

http://theboot.com/the-show-ponies-kalamazoo-music-video/

http://www.theshowponies.com/