Tuesday, August 9, 2016

SEAN PADDOCK-KENNY CHESNEY SPREAD THE LOVE TOUR-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 12....

Nashville legend Sean Paddock was in town here on the biggest tour of the Summer: Kenny Chesney's Spread The Love Tour. I was lucky enough to be welcome for the day, and to a show that I will certainly never forget.

It was quite a day of discussion and showing me around the inner-workings of an operation like this. Sean is extremely accommodating....Like all all top-tier players are. He really took time out to go through his kit, what he plays and why, his extensive use of gear from the past & present, and to discuss the music & drum business in general. Incredible time....Incredible live show.

He also started using one of my new drums several weeks ago: The 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 12. The drum went up for the first time at Centurylink Field, and he absolutely loves it. I used an Evans G12 and Evans 300 on it. The 5.5 x 12 is part of a new line I will be releasing here this Fall.

I am extremely happy you like this drum so much Sean. I so appreciate you taking time out, and am really looking forward to staying in touch. Shout out to Sean's tech Melvin Fults as well. Looking forward to talking drums with you next time! Thanks also to someone who has been an unfailingly great friend to me, and the reason I had this opportunity...Troy Luccketta. 


"I pulled it out of the box, tuned it up, and 'BAM'...There it is. Instant pop, exactly what I was looking for. Jim has the magic touch with these bad boys...."

Sean Paddock















KEITH ZEBROSKI-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14-MIRANDA LAMBERT-KEEPER OF THE FLAME TOUR....

All-star pro, Keith Zebroski, recently fired up his 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14 for the first time at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. This was a show with Miranda Lambert on her Keeper Of The Flame 2016 Tour. The result...I was thrilled about. He absolutely loved the drum, and will be using it as his main. The band is also on Kenny Chesney's Spread The Love Tour this summer, and the drum will be used on that tour as well. I got to see Keith live during their set here in Miller Park also.

Keith requested the drum to be equipped with an Evans B14 HD Batter, Evans 300 snare side, and a set of Puresound Custom Pro Series Brass 24 Strand wires. I have been working a lot with Evans heads lately, and they unfailingly deliver live. 

Thank You so much for everything Keith. I am really looking forward to the next time the band is in town, and again....I  cannot tell you how happy I was to hear how much you like that drum. A huge Thank You going out as well to Sean Paddock for the introduction.....





 














TRACY BROUSSARD-LIVE WITH BLAKE SHELTON-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14.....

This time of year is usually a very busy time here for me, and this Summer has been exceptionally busy. Nashville titan Tracy Broussard rolled through town with Blake Shelton, & I had the great opportunity to sit down with him. 

Tracy has become a big fan of his 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 14, and currently is using it on the 2016 Tour. I had such a fun time at this show...It was ridiculous. He is an incredible player, and the discussions during the day, and his performance during the show, were both just amazing. 

Tracy's drum is equipped with Aquarian Heads, of which I am a huge fan of. The batter is a Triple Threat, and the snare side is a High Performance. It seems these day's at least half of the players are requesting Aquarian Heads, and for good reason from my experience. Every single one of the different types I have used...I absolutely love. They are of extreme quality, and their hoops on the heads, are some of the best.

Tracy....Thank You Again for everything. Looking forward to seeing the band again very soon. Big shout out to Russ Whitman here. Russ is currently on tour with Craig Morgan and his three Beier snare drums. I really appreciate and value you taking time out for my gear, and for the referral.....   














EDDIE BAYERS-ONE OF THE WORLDS MOST RECORDED DRUMMERS-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--4 X 15 & 5.5 X 14....

Eddie Bayers, one of the top session players of all time, recently acquired two drums from Beier Drums: A 1.5 Steel--4 x 15, and a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14. Since then....he has been using them non-stop, and also told me his 5.5 x 14 is his new "Go-To" in his non-stop session work. As well, the drums have met with major approval in the studio from engineers as well...Including Mark Capps. 

Eddie was a referral from Mark Beckett (Grand Ole Opry, Olivia Newton John). Mark is also responsible for the design of a drum that has been extremely successful here...the 4 x 15. Tommy Harden was also nice enough to bring his 5.5 x 14 to Eddie to try out. You guys.....Are The Best.

Sometime soon I am hoping to be able to get out of here for a week so I can come to Nashville. I just simply have to sit down and talk to him about a career that is so extensive, and so legendary....It would be an unbelievable experience for me.  

Eddie....Thank You for the call, and all of your communication. It is....Quite simply....An honor. Will be in touch.....


"Awesome!"

Eddie Bayers















ERIK ELDENIUS-LIVE WITH BILLY IDOL-MILWAUKEE.......

Erik Eldenius was in town last month, and I finally got to catch him live with Billy Idol on their current tour.

He currently has a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15 in his studio in L.A., and he really, really likes it a lot. He is using it on a solo record right now with a guitar player who I have long admired as well. I am so anxious for this record to come out, and as I have told Erik....I will be his first customer to pick it up when it is released!

Due to some logistics, I was concerned I might miss their set....But was delighted everything worked out. Billy Idol has always had great bands as everyone knows, and he himself is as solid today as he always was. But I have to say....This band....With this line-up....There is something special & beyond about it. Erik brings this enormous vibe to this band that is so huge, & is just so on the mark. I have watched his clips, and have always thought he was great. But live....He is even better than that.

Great seeing you Erik...Hope to see you guys live again soon....









JULES RADINO-LIVE WITH BLUE OYSTER CULT-SUMMERFEST-MILWAUKEE-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--6.5 X 14....

Jules Radino was in town here with Blue Oyster Cult, and I was really looking forward to going out to see these guys.

I have been working with Jules for quite some time, and he has used almost every single one of my drums live at some point. He also owns a 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 and a 5.5 x 15, both of which he has used live. The 6.5 x 14 is his main these days on the road, and has been for some time. I got to know Jules through long-time supporter and friend...Monte Yoho of The Outlaws.

Due to a late night flight cancellation, half of the band had kind of a Spinal-Tap type trip to the show. It was pretty hilarious to hear how they made it there on little/no sleep in several days and a long overnight ride. But as all great bands do....They got up there in front of 10,000 people, and showed why they are one of the most enduring & longest running bands in Rock. The amount of times I have heard and read of them being mentioned as an influence, sometimes seems without end.

It was also great to see Woody at the FOH, and also Jim Mears out with them. Tx you guy's...Great time as always. See you all soon....













Tuesday, August 2, 2016

SHANE GAMBLE-NEW RECORD-"AMERICAN HEART"-MIKE DAWSON-BEIER 1.5 STEEL--5.5 X 15...

Country artist Shane Gamble released his new record "American Heart" worldwide on June 14th. I had been waiting for the release, and picked this one up right away. Mike Dawson used his 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15 on it, and I really have been looking forward to the record coming out.

Shane & Mike selected that drum after going through a whole array of different drums, and that to me.....Was the greatest. I have listened to it many times now, and it is one that will always be in rotation here. From start to finish, it is a true Country record that is well produced, thoughtful, and has stellar musicianship & songwriting all the way through.

Additionally, I just had to add this as well. I was on the road this last weekend, and had a lag time after the sound check and before the show. It was a really hot day, so I grabbed a seat under the stage and checked into Facebook. Shane was live with the band at the "Rally In The Valley" in Frederick, MD., and he was doing a live stream. I have not seen them live due to the distance of their shows. I just shook my head, and could not stop watching and listening to this. They were incredible. And so incredible...I would say they are one of those bands that are even better live than in the studio. That is rare, and always has been. It reminded me of  bands like The Outlaws & Blackberry Smoke to name a few. Those bands have always produced great records as well....But they truly soar live. The third and fourth pic are from the show this last weekend.

Mike Dawson was also using a 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 15 for this show which was great to see....And hear! That drum will be in Modern Drummer in an upcoming issue, and am really looking forward to it. Congrats to all of you in this band.....Your great.












   


DAMIAN FIGURES-SNARE OF THE DAY-FORKS DRUM CLOSET NASHVILLE....

Wanted to issue a big Thanks to Damian Figures out of Madison, Alabama. Damian is responsible for publishing the "Snare Of The Day" for Forks Drum Closet in Nashville, and has selected three of my drums since they started this a short time ago. You do a great job on this Damian, and it is always really appreciated here.

As one of  the premier drum shops in this country, Forks Drum Closet has been hugely supportive of Beier Drums. They always keep a full range of them in stock, and my drums have done extremely well there. I am always sending them replacements for sold items, sending special order items, etc.., From A-Z....The whole organization is so well managed, it is easy to see why they are at the top of their game.

Thanks Again Damian & Fork's Drum Closet.....