Hi Drumheads,
The new issue of the magazine has been mailed and if it hasn't arrived to you yet, it will soon. I just received mine today via postal mail... thanks for your patience.

The new issue features the drummer who put the Beat in The Beatles, Pete Best. We all know the story, now get to know more of the person who help start it all. I had the opportunity to see Pete and his band a couple of years ago in the Atlanta area. It was definitely one fun show and recommended for all musicians. An excellent band, and accompaning Pete on drums was his brother Roag. I hadn't done my homework on this, so I was pleasantly surprised not only by the double drumming, but by the calibre of drumming by both. This past summer I contacted Roag and put the wheels in motion to get Pete for this issue. I urge you all to visit the Pete Best Band website/myspace site for new music, tour dates, etc. If you catch them on tour, you'll hear new and old music as well as see two talented brothers hitting the tubs.

As I'm writing this blog, I'm listening to the new cd titled "Dancing With Shadows" by another drummer/musician from a musical family. Joe Vitale, Jr. is the son of session/touring musician Joe Vitale (who is in the new issue of the mag). I've listened to the cd a few times now and each time I like it more than I did the time before. It's a rock record, no doubt, with lots of hooks and melodies throughout. My favorite song at this point is "It's Not Me, It's You". Just a classic groove throughout the song. This songs feature Vitale, Jr. on all instruments, loops, and programming, with Dad Vitale helping with vocals. Joe Sr. does lend a hand with drums, bass, and keys on many of the songs, but all songs were written by Joe Jr., with most of the remaining instrumentation performed by he himself. I gotta believe that JV Sr. had to have a great time helping out though, getting a chance to cut loose on good ole' rock and roll! Other songs that caught my attention were the opening song, "I Don't Belong Here", the title song, "Dancing With Shadows", "Beautiful Girl",  and the hypnotic "Mysterious". A fine effort by Joe Vitale, Jr.  I don't know if he'll be touring any but do take the time to visit his site. You can purchase the cd from his myspace site as well as iTunes...  and you can find him in our TOP FRIENDS.

I'll continue at a later date with other families that contain multiple drummers/musicians. Feel free to send me your list!

Thank you for your continued support of CLASSIC DRUMMER MAGAZINE. As some of you know, I am no longer working on the paper edition of the mag, only the myspace site. Several reasons for this, but the main one was that in order for the mag to grow and expand, I felt it needed more than what I was able to contriubute to it in both time and ability. The Pete Best issue is the first one that I have not had imput into... but I feel that it is one of the best yet and the magazine will continue to be the source for classic drummers and drum gear.

play hard and stay CLASSIC,
Bruce