The most powerful piece I know is Brahm's German Requiem. One of the most beautiful is Mozart's Mass in C.
My favorite band is Blind Melon (very powerful stuff, worth walking in the rain for).
My favorite drum kit player is Bill Bruford, my favorite timbale player is either Tito or Changuito (hard not to pick Tito really), and my favorite conga player is "Patato" Valdez. Gabor Szabo knows how to play the guitar like few people do. Victor Wooten is a badass. John Duffey makes me want to sing a little and play the hell out of the mandolin. There are hundreds of vocalist that I can't really compare, but Billie Holliday is about the only one that makes me think about dancing, Willie Nelson always sounds like he's telling the truth, Astrud Gilberto makes me wish my name Jaoa, etc.
Harry Chapin stands up for something or someone in just about every song he wrote and always wakes me up when I've gotten lazy.
Playing music is on e of the greatest joys I've known since I was young and I owe a lot to all of the people who have influenced and supported me. You can look through my CD's to see who I listen to, but my parents started me out young by sharing their thoughts on and love of music. My father still plays bagpipes regularly and I love hearing him practice when I visit. I had a wonderful boys choir director named Charlie Steele who was unbelievably talented, but took the time to work with myself and many other young musicians in the area. He taught shared an appreciation of the power of music with all of us and helped us find ourselves in our performances. When I started playing flute and then sax and percussion in school band, Jim Leatherwood and Doc Palmer each shared an endless enthusiasm for all types of music. I am in their debt for teaching me the importance of studying and practicing to get the full enjoyment out of our craft! Without them I would have never found my love of percussion. Jim especially taught me to love performance and I hope to some day play on the level that he can. Brian Wilson is the man who first gave me a chance to play and then study orchestral percussion and I will never be able to thank him enough for the countless hours he spent teaching our drumline and percussion ensemble. He also can take credit for exposing me to dozens of groups from Frank Zappa to Rush that I might never have fully appreciated without his introduction. At Elon, Jon Metzger gave me the opportunity to keep my love alive through his percussion ensemble (open to non-majors). I have never met his equal as a mallet player or as a teacher. Today, I am influenced and made better by the musicians I find myself surrounded by. Our band, Ethos, has grown together over the last year and a half and I have learned a great deal about my own playing and music in general from all of my bandmates. I also learn from playing with and even just from talking to drummers and percussionist such as Mike Ashworth and Noel Felty who are always willing to share their knowledge and provide opportunities for me to learn.
Music ought to do something to you.
For the first time in a few years I became a fan of a band, and now I am playing full-time with them. Check out Wilsin on my friends list and come out to hear us in Asheville soon! Most of the other groups I'm playing with are high up on my friends list as well, so check them out whether or not I happen to be with them that night. As always, if you think I can add something to your project, give me a call and I'll bring some drums over.
I don't think I'm going to be able to make it tonight....I've been so tired this week. I'm hoping I don't have mono or something. I reminded my Mom about it, but it's my Dad's birthday and I'm not sure if they'll make it either. We'll be sure to catch you next time, though! Have fun!
I did meet them & they were cool as hell! Plus it was an amazing show. It would be cool to put a Wilsin twist on one of their tunes, plus TT loves them. I bet you could convince them, but I'll throw it out there too!
Lace up those sneaks tight because Wilsin is about to literally rock your socks off! This time only for the low low price of Five Dollars American you can enjoy the Broomstars and then Wilsin at the Boiler Room for the Asheville Reject Film Festival Afterparty.
