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| WEDNESDAY
November 25, 1998
Tonight's Gig: Music City, Fountain Valley, CA 12:30AM... The gig at Harmony On 5th was really fun last night, although it seemed that all of us band members were not too 'hep' on seeing each other so soon after the tour! I was in a playful mood last night, and so my playing reflected that, as I was really loose and relaxed. I felt very good about my drumming tonight! Heather, Carol, and Kitten were there last night, as was Steve Wetherbee of Golden Track Studios. Our executive producer, Donna Coté was also at this gig. This was the first time she saw the band after our November tour, so she seemed extremely happy to see us. I always dig playing at Harmony because the decor is so nice, this art deco style, and the booths, the dance floor and bar all look so cool. Attention was definitely given to details in the decor and ambience... extremely nice and attractive! An older gentleman, who said he was 70 years old, gave me one of the best compliments I'd ever gotten. He said that in 1942, he went to The Palladium to see the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Gene Krupa gave this great drum solo on Sing, Sing, Sing that night. Well, this old timer said that my solo tonight was (strangely enough) almost identical to the solo Gene Krupa gave that night in 1942 at The Palladium, and that he thought my drum solo was great. (Well, I don't think I'm channeling Gene Krupa through my drumming, but I was very flattered by his comparisons). I didn't know what to say other than to just thank him for the compliment. I was blown away, really! I don't think I'm that great, but it was nice to hear it anyway! Then after the Harmony gig, as I was packing up my drums, Paul Kimbarro, drummer for A.J. Croce came up to me and said that I'd really nailed those Gene Krupa licks down! He was very kind. We talked for a while and he highly advised me to seek an endorsement deal with some drum or cymbal manufacturers soon! Because he had toured with A.J. Croce, he was able to acquire an endorsement deal with Sabian cymbals. To get an actual endorsement deal from Sabian would be a dream come true. Paul suggested I get a package together with photos, bio, places I've played, etc., and to get it out to the companies at the next NAMM show in Los Angeles. The band is going to play there in January, so it seems like a golden opportunity to take care of 'business'! He also said that I was at a point where I should consider the responsibility of teaching the younger audiences where all the real swing drumming came from, from drummers like Papa Joe Jones, Sid Catlett and Dave Tough. And he said that I may get interviewed sometime soon, so I should have an explanation ready as to where the origins of the swing groove came from, and who really brought it to life. I thought this was all pretty cool and positive, especially coming from another fellow drummer. Paul also told me that I was lucky to be doing this swing thing because it is a great gig for a drummer. I felt pretty good about him saying that. When you think about it, this is definitely a very fun gig for a drummer! Currently Reading:
Carlos Rull 
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