Woodstick Article
DRUMMERS RAISE THE ROOF FOR CHARITY.
By Rick Hansen
Drummers from across the northwest will gather on November 2, 2008 for the 6th annual Woodstick/Big Beat drumming event. Northwest drummers currently hold the Guinness World Record of 533 drummers playing drumsets simultaneously, set at Qwest Field in 2005. This year, drummers at Big Beat events in 9 cities across the United States and Canada will attempt to top the Qwest Field record.
In addition, they'll attempt an untried record for drummers playing simultaneously via live internet connection. Dr. Brad McDavid, director of the UW Husky Marching Band, will conduct the drummers across the continent via the internet from the Woodstick/Big Beat event at the Juanita Field House in Kirkland, Washington.
“I love the fact that this has grown into an international event” says co-founder Donn Bennett. “It’s great that there are thousands of drummers across the continent trying to beat our northwest record. The competition between the nine different cities really adds to the excitement. We need every possible northwest drummer to participate if we want to keep the world record here.
The event was originated in 2003 by Chris Kimball of Tacoma WA as a Rotary fundraiser. Kimball partnered with Donn Bennett Drum Studios in Bellevue WA. They utilized Bennett's position at the heart of the northwest drum community and Kimball's access to the vast Rotary network to turn the event into the largest and longest running event of its kind. To date the event has raised nearly $70,000.00 for charity.
All proceeds from the this year’s event will be used to support under funded school music programs and to promote hearing safety through donations to Rotary Music 4 Life www.rotarymusic4life.org , Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation www.mhopus.org and Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration www.hearingregeneration.org
“I guess the idea of several hundred drummers banging on drumsets to promote hearing safety seems like a contradiction” said Bennett. “Hearing safety has become a major issue for everybody. In the cell phone and IPod world we live in we’re constantly subjecting our ears to unsafe levels of noise. We’re taking this opportunity to show how easy it is to protect your ears and still enjoy music to its fullest. If drummers can do what we do without damaging our hearing then anyone can”.
Beatle drummer Ringo Starr has donated an autographed Beatles logo bass drum head to be raffled off at the event. In addition over $18,000.00 worth of drum equipment will be given away.
This year's event will feature Pearl Jam drummer, Matt Cameron, international ambassador of the drums Dom Famularo, Joe Plummer of Modest Mouse, original Heart drummer Michael Derosier, BB King’s drummer Tony Coleman and Paul Rogers' drummer Jeff Kathan. More celebrity drummers are still being added.
The event is open to the public. Any drummer who can play a basic rock beat can participate. Admission for participants and spectators is just $10.00. You don’t even need to own a drum set, you can rent one at the event.
For complete Woodstick/Big Beat information see www.BennettDrums.com.