Booze, Buddy, And Brotherhood: Pro Drum Shop Xmas Party 2009

By Jason Sutter

Hello to all and Happy Holidays from LA, the land of fame, fortune and lots of drummers!

Miracle on Vine Street

The holiday spirit was especially alive and well at the annual Professional Drum Shop Christmas party! I have attended these for the past few years and I believe this was the most well attended in recent years. Their parking lot reflected that with cars actually pouring out to the street! I was met at the door by an ever-smiling John Bermuda Schwartz (Weird Al Yankovic band), who dutifully introduced me to the one-and-only Hal Blaine who was surrounded by fans and admirers. He was as spry as ever and was telling stories throughout the day. If you aren’t aware of Mr. Blaine’s resume, just Google him—but regardless of your age, you grew up listening to him on your favorite hits. He was on everything in the 60s and 70s including the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds! Not to forget, he was also responsible for the design of the infamous Ludwig Octa-Plus drumset with 8 concert toms!!!

Jerry and Jason. Beer not shown.

I was welcomed by Jerry, one of the co-owners of Pro Drum, who was all smiles, beer in hand. He threw me a 50th-year Pro Drum Shop commemorative shirt. I was fortunate enough to find a vintage shirt from their 20th year in ’79, and wore it to the party last year. It was a hit. The place was crawling with drummers young and old feasting on giant subs and assorted foods and drinks. Buddy Rich provided the musical entertainment from the video screen, while one of his original sets from the 60s was on display below him—a true testament to the rich history of my surroundings. I could only imagine how Buddy and Louie Bellson, among many other giants, must have attended these same parties years ago.

Ghost of Christmas Past

The jazzman Jeff Hamilton was in attendance, as was the amazing Ronald Brunner Jr. with his two adorable juniors (daughters). Albe Bonnacci and Kevin Stevens (Neon Neon, Beto Cuevas) were on hand and enjoyed the fine dining. The amazing “Drum Whisperer,” Gerry Porter from the Hazelshould Ebay drum mega-store, seemed to be everywhere at once as well as picking up some rare last minute cymbals for those who have been put on the “nice” list this year…no lumps of coal for them! Stan, the other owner, was manning the counter with the Pro Drum staff on hand for those treating themselves to an early holiday gift in the form of a drum head, etc.

Frosty the Jazzman

It is safe to say that the party was still growing (as was Gerry Porter’s Santa Bag) as I made my way for the door. People were still filtering in the front door as I drove off.

Hal Blaine, Drum Whisperer, and Stan

Thanks go out to Jerry and Stan and all at the Pro Drum Shop for their generous hospitality and good vibes. Overall, yet another fantastic drum hang in sunny Southern California, where cheer and festivities were only slightly drowned out by the din of paradiddles and buzz rolls from the many “little drummer boys and girls.”

Happy Holidays, Everyone! from Hollywood Drum, and may the never-ending spark of drums and drumming continue to light your way into the new year!

Jason Sutter is a little drummer boy living in L.A. He currently rocks with Chris Cornell and Vertical Horizon–often shirtless, and owns a cool Bandit Trans Am. We hear word that he is also the Midwest Zildjian rep.