You only have your ONE name and you only have one career as a professional drummer. Think carefully about what products you choose to associate yourself with.
Latey, when I browse the websites of my compatriots, I notice a disturbing trend. Drummers are grabbing every single endorsement they can get, no matter how insignificant the product.
This makes you look like a wannabe.
Personally, if I could have all the endorsements I wanted, I think I would limit myself to a maximum of four product types: 1) Sticks, 2) Cymbals 3) Drums and 4) Heads.
Do you really want to be cluttering up your website and all of your marketing materials with tons of logos?
Do you really feel THAT strongly about your: cases, drum stick wax, cowbell, drum tuning device, drum rug, drum gloves, and special drum key?
You do? REALLY?
Sorry, but I don’t think I believe you. I think you are just desperate for attention and you think that having a lot of endorsements is going to help your career.
It isn’t going to help.
And if you think it is going to help, you are either misguided, missing the big picture or you are focusing on the wrong stuff. Perhaps all three.
When I see someone with all these stupid minuscule endorsements I see someone who is amateurish and insecure. And chances are, that huge artist that you hope to play with—should you be so lucky as to have him or her evaluate you—is going to think so too.
So stick with a few premier companies of the major categories and don’t dirty your name and reputation with every little product.
I promise that you will be better off in the long run.
He first gained attention as one of the winners of Modern Drummer magazine's very first drum solo contest, judged by Rush's Neil Peart.
He's played with Oz Noy, Will Lee, Alison Krauss, Curtis Stigers, Emily Remler, Joel Hoekstra, GE Smith, Andy York, Marshall Crenshaw, Tony Shanahan, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, Big Brother and The Holding Company, and many other artists.
For more info: onlinesessiondrummer.com
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Well said! I am just beginning my true career as a drummer…. Not a young man but I have recently gotten serious the last few years. I agree that to many endorsements looks tacky…I recall seeing a few live drummers in big name bands where they had a huge banner behind them with the drums sponsors name and logo… I remember cringing and thinking how much can they possibly be giving you to sell there name so hard? And is it worth it?
Hi Jeff- Thanks for your thoughts. Good to hear that you’re upping your drumming game and goals. If you ever need advice, I’ve begun doing some consulting to up and coming, and aspiring professional drummers. As to the your comment…it can’t be worth it to push so hard. It is soooo cheesy! I agree with you 100%. Practicing instead of pursuing endorsements may frequently be a better use of a drummer’s time….
Regards,
MF