Recently I went to see some of NYC’s finest musicians playing some fusion in a downtown club. The show was amazing and I was inspired. It’s one of the great things about living in a city like New York; you can go out on any night of the week and see some of the world’s best musicians playing live.
After the show I had a brief chat with the drummer, who is world-famous—-definitely one of the most recognized drummers on the planet. I am not going to mention his name. Why? Because I don’t want to be a name dropper and I don’t want to be the guy who nobody will talk to because a casual conversation might wind up on the internet. It’s why people avoid TMZ.
The important thing is not who he is, but what he said. We’re acquaintances. He asked me what I was up to; the last time we had spoken I was working for a large corporation. I explained that I was a full-time drummer now and that I had a drum school named BANG.
He just smiled and knowingly said, “that’s great. It’s good to do what you like.”
Now that may not seem like such a significant statement to you at first. But to me it was a very important thing to hear–especially from someone with the level of stature in the drumming world that this person has.
Quite simply, doing what one likes is one of the most important things that successful people do. This simple notion, coupled with guidance and hard work, and a bit of luck, has led to a great many people’s successful careers.
So, just consider these words from a world-famous drummer: “It’s good to do what you like.”
I wish more people considered this notion–there would be more happy people walking around this planet.
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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