Drumming Champions Part 1

Courtesy of the great Larry McCormick: The beginnings of drumming in America, the icons, and masters of the system for teaching drumming skills. The heritage they passed on dating from the 1930's. This is part 1 of a series of interviews and discussions with those greats, who were Champions, and laid the groundwork those of us who followed.

Interviews Robert ("Bobby") Redican, and discusses J. Burns Moore, Frank Arsenault and others.

Reposted here to give the video more exposure.  Thank you Larry.  Looking forward to part 2 when Larry posts it.

Busiel's Brass Drum

From a reader of our blog:

Hi thanks so much!  I will give you the shortest version I can to tell the story of this drum.  I bought it at an estate auction about a week ago and it came with no information and the three old sticks as shown.  From the estate of Mr Dennison.  As I also purchased a huge box lot if books there I happened upon a request of military documents for one Albert L. Busiel.  Apparently a relative.  I ripped this into tiny pieces and threw the paper away.  Upon inspecting the drum I found a peep hole and shined my light in it.  To my surprise under the drum skin was written: 

George W Busiel

East Andover NH

May 29th 1879

I quickly recalled the Busiel name, got the papers glued back together and researched Albert L. Busiel.  It's a sad story and I'll let the pics I send tell it.  I'm wondering if he is holding the drum I have, left to his brother or if the drum is altogether different.

Drum details: approximately 12 inches high by 16 inches across.  Looks to be a brass body.  Skins are slightly warped.  No holes.  Eagle says Maker on the left and Boston on the right of his feet.  Drumsticks came with it.  One is stamped HDS.

I know the New Hampshire Militia was activated for the Spanish War in 1879 so it's possible George was the drummer for that time.  I guess the date of the drum will tell all.  Thank you so much I hope you enjoy the history.  

Sincerely-Patrick Marks
(Pics to follow)
 
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On Feb 12, 2015, at 7:59 AM, Ellis Mirsky <emirsky@trial.com> wrote:
Absolutely.  Please send as much info as you can.  The more photos the better.  Details of hardware and and inscriptions, writings, interior labels would be helpful.
Best,
Ellis
(Sent from my iPhone)
Ellis R. Mirsky
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BlogMaster@FieldDrums.com------------------------------

On Feb 11, 2015, at 11:08 PM, Patrick Marks <blackhatpatrick@aol.com> wrote:
Hi there.  If I sent you some pictures of my drum could you help me identify the maker?  Thanks in advance for your consideration.  I looked thru all your drum pictures but couldn't find a match.
Sincerely-Patrick

1890 Lyon & Healy Snare Drum on Exhibit at Musical Instrument Museum, Scottsdale, Arizona

The Musical Instrument Museum (Scottsdale, Arizona) is running a special exhibition on drums of the world through June 21, 2015.  An elaborately inlaid 1890 Lyon & Healy snare drum donated to the museum by the publisher of FieldDrums blog is part of the exhibit.  See Musical Instrument Museum Receives Two 1890 Lyon & Healy Drums, this blog, October 30, 2009.