Down In Dixieland
My medium-rare flesh slow-roasted on a shadeless stretch of sand beneath an intense South Texas sun. I was already an unnatural shade of saturated pink well on the way to an alarming red that would find me enduring the remainder of my first college spring break in an aloe-and-sweat-soaked motel bed. I didn’t care. Little Feat had taken the beachfront stage.
While the musical experience wasn’t the only thing I shared with that peaceable mass of slow-swaying collegians, it was the swampy music of the band with the inimitable Richie Hayward on drums that truly set my cares free and colluded with the sun in my baking.
For Richie Or Poorer
I was reminded of that show and the impact of Richie Hayward’s joyous drumming on me that day when Phil Hood, publisher of DRUM! magazine, contacted me with news of an upcoming drumming event organized to benefit Richie. The profits from their Rhythm Night on August 13 will be donated to help Richie in his now year-long bout with acute liver disease.
In Phil’s words: “He is highly regarded by generations of drummers and music fans, and sadly stands as a stark reminder of how challenging it is to make a living as a professional musician, even when you are at the top of your game. That’s why we are donating our time and resources to help spread the word about his pressing need for help, and raise some cash for his medical treatment.”
The event, to be held at the San Jose Repertory Theatre from 6:00 to 8:30pm, will feature performances and clinics by David Garibaldi, Marco Minnemann, and Thomas Pridgen. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and include admission to the following George Clinton concert that night.
The Way To San Jose
For the record, San Jose is about 350 miles and over 5 hours from L.A. HollywoodDrum.com doesn’t generally stray so far from home when covering events; after all, there are more than we’re able to dutifully keep up with right here. We are making an exception.
Our L.A. friends—the majority of our readers—just might consider the same. Road-trip. Ride motorcycles. Book a romantic drum-filled weekend getaway. Thumb it. Or…simply buy tickets for the cause, and cozy up at home with a warm copy of Waiting For Columbus and whatever else you got. You can also make a donation on Richie’s behalf through Sweet Relief musicians fund.
