News and Updates
Released THIS MORNING at the 2013 NAMM Convention, the brand new Sabian CymbalVote 2013 winners are IN STOCK NOW at Donn Bennett Drum Studio! Come on in and check out the new 18″ AAX Frequency Crash, 21″ & 24″ AA Bash Ride, 14″ & 16″ AAX-plosion Hi-hats, and the 8″ & 10″ AAX Air-Splash. For more info and pricing, visit our Sabian CymbalVote 2013 Page See you soon at the shop!
Drummers! Hope you are doing well. The reason for this message is to invite you to participate in the Roland V-Drums 2012 National Championship!
Roland is accepting online entries until August 24. Selected semi-finalists will compete in September for one of 8 Finalist slots. http://www.rolandus.com/go/v-drums_contest/ Winners at the semi-finals (finalists) will win their choice of a SPD-SX Sampling Pad or a SPD-30 OCTAPAD, a PDS-10 stand and other prizes!
The National Champion will win a complete TD-30KV V-Drums set, DW hardware, and other prizes. The runner up will win a complete TD-15KV V-Drums set, DW hardware, an other prizes. The National Champion will also represent the United States in the V-Drums World Championship 2 in 2013 in Frankfurt, Germany!
Here’s a quick overview:
- All submissions are accepted only at http://www.rolandus.com/go/v-drums_contest/
- We are accepting submissions until August 24 (ends at midnight on August 24th)
- Must be a U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter and compete
- Simply submit a direct link to a video drumming performance (You Tube for example) on acoustic or electronic drums.
- Links must be valid and public available to view (no private Facebook pages for example).
- When you enter, select one Semi-Final location where you would like to compete if you are selected as a contestant: Birmingham, AL , Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL , New York, NY , Nashville, TN , San Antonio, TX , Seattle, WA , or Milwaukee, WI
- Roland will select at total of 48 semi-finalists to compete at one of the above locations ( 8 Locations / 6 Contestants per location).
- Selected Contestants are responsible for their own travel to the semi-finals (to be held on September 22 and 29) · Winners at the semi-finals will win their choice of a SPD-SX Sampling Pad or a SPD-30 OCTAPAD and a PDS-10 stand and other prizes.
- Semi-Final winners will qualify as Finalists and will compete on October 31st at PASIC in Austin, TX. Roland will provide airfare, hotel accommodations, and PASIC show admittance.
- The National Champion will win a complete TD-30KV V-Drums set, dw hardware, and other prizes. The runner up will win a complete TD-15KV V-Drums set, dw hardware, an other prizes. The National Champion will also represent the United States in the V-Drums World Championship 2 in 2013 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Again, the url for the online entry, details, and contest rules is: http://www.rolandus.com/go/v-drums_contest/ Don’t Delay – Enter Today!
Here’s a great interview that Cindy Blackman-Santana, Vernon Reid and John Medeski did on the Bob Rivers show yesterday. It’s about 14 minutes. In the last couple minutes Cindy talks about the Gretsch Round Badge tangerine sparkle set she just picked up at our shop. We’re still trying to find her a matching 12″ tom. Does anyone have one? Cindy and Spectrum Road are playing at Jazz Alley in Seattle through Sunday. These guys are awesome and they give Cindy TONS of room to stretch out. I’m going to the 9:30 Saturday show. Brock is going tonight. See you there.
It’s a great time to be a drummer in the northwest. There are so many cool drum happenings coming up at Donn Bennett Drum Studio in Bellevue that it’s crazy. It says a lot about the NW drumming community. We love us some drums around here!! Several of these events are still in the works so watch our website and facebook for updates as they occur. Here’s what we have for you now.
CYMBAL NEWS
We could almost call it Donn Bennett CYMBAL Studio. There’s so much going on in the cymbal world these days I can barely keep up with it. So many new companies, new models and types of cymbals never before available. It’s a great time to be a cymbal geek and Donn Bennett Drum Studio in Bellevue is where you’ll find them.
Meinl Cymbal Day with internet drum guru Mike Johnston. Saturday 6/02
Mike will do one of his legendary clinics around 11:00 AM then be available in the shop for the rest of the day to hang and help you select cymbals. Meinl factory reps will also be on hand. Special pricing on all Meinl plus giveaways and swag. Watch for updates.
Cymbal Foundry Cymbals Now Available
We just added this amazing new line of handmade Turkish cymbals. Cymbal Foundry is a very small Turkish cymbal company we have chosen to work closely with. They make a very limited quantity of spectacular handmade cymbals in the spirit of the great old Ks. They are very reasonably priced. They look and sound amazing. In stock now. Check ‘em out
Cindy Blackman-Santana/ Istanbul Cymbal Event Cindy will be in town 6/21-6/24 at Jazz Alley (see below).
At some point during this time she’ll be here for a clinic and an Istanbul cymbal event. We’re still nailing down the details. I’ll keep you posted as things develop.
Pro-Cymbal cymbal cleaning technology
We’ve just added professional cymbal cleaning to the long list of services we offer to drummers. We can now quickly restore tarnished cymbals to like new condition without losing their printed logos or damaging the cymbal. We charge $1.00 per inch. Through the end of May clean 2 cymbals for the price of one. (one free per customer). All Used Cymbals, buy 2 get 3rd FREE through end of May We’ve professionally cleaned most of our used cymbals and they look like new!!
UPCOMING DRUM EVENTS
Jack Dejohnette, Jack’s 70th birthday with Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke 5/10-5/13
I got an email this morning from Steve Smith. He said he saw this show Tuesday night in Oregon. He said “Jack was hot and the band was SMOKIN”! Talk about jazz legends!! Jack has played with them all. Miles, Coltrane, Turrentine and the list just keeps going. Jack created some of the most influential jazz in modern history. See him in this extremely rare show with his old friends Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke. This is the first time they have ever toured together as a trio. This one will definitely sell out. I’ll be there Saturday for the second show. See you there. Click here to see more information http://www.jazzalley.com/artist.asp?artistid=1132
Roland V-Drum Specialist Mike Snyder. 5/28
Roland V-Drum product specialist Mike Snyder will be doing an in store demo of Roland’s latest TD 30, TD 15, TD 11 and SPD-SX, featuring Roland’s new Behavior Modeling and Supernatural technology. Here’s a great opportunity to learn about the latest V-Drum gear from one of the most informed V-drummers in the world. Special pricing on Roland. He will also be demonstrating the new Roland TD-30 on the Bob River’s Show live, KJR 95.7 FM at about 9:00 AM. More info to come soon.
Cindy Blackman-Santana, Spectrum Road, Tony Williams Tribute w/ Jack Bruce, Vernon Reid, and John Medeski 6/21-6/24. 20% OFF
Cindy Blackman-Santana is one of the greatest drummers I’ve ever seen. I saw her last time she was in town with this band and she was amazing and her band was off the chart! This time around she’s added Vernon Reid so prepare to have your mind blown. Last time every show was sold out. Mention Donn Bennett Drum Studio when you make your reservation and get 20% off you admission the 9:30 show on Thursday. Better book it now. For more information click here http://www.jazzalley.com/artist.asp?artistid=1119 and to make reservations call Jazz Alley at 206-441-9729 or see www.jazzalley.com.
Hal Blaine EMP/Chick Webb at SIFF
We just found out this morning that Hal Blaine may be coming to the EMP in Seattle for a screening of the soon to be released Wrecking Crew film by Danny Tedesco, son of Wrecking Crew guitarist Tommy Tedesco. We’re working on getting him into the shop while he’s here. Chick Webb, The Savoy King film at SIFF. 6/9 and 10 This film about one of the greatest drummers of all time, Chick Webb will be shown twice at the Seattle International Film Festival. Charlie Watts and Bill Cosby are among the greats whose voices are featured in this awesome film. We’ll have more on this as it develops.
NEW ARRIVALS Mapex Retro Sonic Drum Set
This is the latest in the Black Panther line of drum sets from Mapex. This set features an all Walnut shell. This is truly a unique and awesome sounding drumset. We have a set and matching snare in stock and ready to play. Check out what all this buzz is about. This is one of the coolest new kits I’ve seen in a long time.
All for now. Watch www.bennettdrums.com, our facebook and your email for updates as they develop.
Woodstick Drummers, If you’ve ever attended one of the Woodstick Big Beat drum events then you will certainly remember Jeff Kathan. He’s been onstage for every Woodstick except last year. He could not attend because his wife Julie had just started treatments for brain cancer. She’s still fighting and a concert / auction has been organized to help with her expenses. The concert will feature Spike and The Impalers, Randy Hansen, Heart by Heart (all original male members of the Heart) and many more. An auction of items including drums and memorabilia signed by Cheap Trick, Kenny Aronoff, Tony Coleman, Steve Moore, Bryan Hitt and many others has also been organized. The event is this Sunday, 4/29 at the Temple Theater in Tacoma.
For complete information see http://www.juliekathan.org/
I’ll be there. I hope to see you all there, too.
Thanx, Donn Bennett
We are now going to pay for people living north of Denny Way’s 520 toll which starts Thursday, December 29th. You must show ID with an address and spend a minimum of $75.00. We are looking for addresses between HWY 104/NE 205th st.(in Mountlake Terrace) and E Denny Way on Capitol Hill in Seattle. For more information give us a call at (425) 747-6145. -Donn Bennett Drum Studios
Here at Donn Bennett Drum Studio, we have acquired a lot of electronic drum sets. It’s time to make some room and get them out of here! We have posted photos and prices on our facebook page located in this photo album. Come in and try them out!!
Drummers!!
A few awesome developments have unfolded here at the shop in preparation for the 2011 Holiday Season. Check it out!!
King5 Best of Western Washington Award
Donn Bennett Drum Studio was selected by the voters of Western Washington as #1 Music Retailer in this year’s King5 Best of Western Washington Contest. We will be featured on their website as well as on a special episode to be broadcast in December. We are very thankful to have such a loyal and appreciate customer base and as a result we have a couple of great deals for all of you!
Five Star Drum Shop’s Holiday Buyer’s Guide
If you have not already seen, our 2011 Five Star Holiday Buyer’s Guide is available and in full effect. There are some mind boggling dealers from all your favorite drum, cymbal, percussion and head companies so check it out and come on into the shop while it’s all still available.
Small Business Saturday – November 26th – 11AM – 5PM
We are proud to be participating in this year’s Small Business Saturday on November 26th. Take a day to appreciate local small businesses everywhere AND get awesome deals for one day only! We will be having some insane sales that day including but not limited to Mapex Tornado 5-piece Drum Set (List $679) for $295!! and a full Pearl Vision 5-piece Drum Set (List $999) for $449!!
Additionally, if you make a purchase of $25 or more with your American Express Credit Card at qualifying Small Business Saturday locations then you are eligible for a $25 credit on your next bill!
Woodstick Highlights & Videos
Just in case they slipped past you in your news feed, check out some of these Woodstick 2011 Videos. We have all the artist solos up and running as well as some great footage of the main event. Enjoy!
Come help us celebrate our King5 award and ring in the holiday’s by taking advantage of these great opportunities. Thanks so much and we’ll see you soon at the shop!
-Donn Bennett
Donn Bennett was on New Day NW this morning to talk about WOODSTICK 2011 and do a little sneak preview of what’s to come… Click HERE to watch!
Remember…! Woodstick’s going down on Sunday! Register on the web site now!
Dom Famularo and “Sticks n Skins” drum book author Jules Follet will join Donn Bennett as guests on KINGTV 5′s New Day Show this Thursday. The show airs at 11:00 AM. They will be talking about the Woodstick Big Beat as well as Jules’ awesome coffee table book about the world community of drummers. Check it out.If you’d like to be in the studio audience details are below.
**We’d love your help in spreading the word (Twitter, Facebook, etc) of this appearance by inviting as many people as you like (family, friends, colleagues, fans) to be in the audience. They will need to arrive at 9:30 and should expect to be here until 11:30, when we finish taping. Anyone interested in free tickets to be in the audience should RSVP to email hidden; JavaScript is required. Our Audience Coordinator will then send them separate instructions, as it’s a bit different than for guests.
You never know who’s going to walk through the door at Donn Bennett Drum Studio. Joe Pollard, the inventor of the SynDrum, Duraline drumheads and Duraline drumheads paid us a surprise visit this morning. He was in town for his son’s graduation. SynDrums were the first electronic drums. They paved the way for all of the electronic drums that have followed. Syndrums caused a revolution in recorded music and were heard on literally thousands of records in the late 70s and early 80s. They were extremely popular in disco music and practically defined the disco sound. Joe had some great stories about working with drummers like Hal Blaine, Jim Keltner and Keith Moon. He got out of the drum business to pursue his other passion, old Checker taxi cabs. He owns over 200 old Checker cabs and leases to the film industry. Chances are if you see an old Checker cab in any movie it’s one of Joe Pollard’s fleet
The Top Companies In The Drum Industry Are Looking For The Drummer of Tomorrow NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE, 2011 – Some of the biggest names in the drum business are proud to announce the search for the Drummer of Tomorrow. Beginning June 1st, drummers can film a solo or play-along performance, upload their video to DrummerofTomorrow.com, and be entered to win over $50,000 in prizes and drum gear.
Prizes include drum sets from Mapex Drums, cymbals from Zildjian, drumheads from Remo, drum sticks from Vic Firth and songbooks from Alfred Music Publishing. In addition, the top winner will win an Artist Endorsement Contract from Mapex Drums, and will appear on the company’s official Artist Roster. “This is an amazing opportunity to find the next great drummer, organically,” says Joe Hibbs, Product Marketing Manager for Mapex Drums. “It’s the only worldwide drum competition, spanning over a dozen countries.”
The Drummer of Tomorrow United States contest will be broken out into several elimination rounds, which run from June 1st, 2011 through 2012 at the Musik Messe show in Frankfurt, Germany. For the U.S. competition, entries will be accepted from June 1st through July 31st, 2011 on the U.S. contest site DrummerofTomorrow.com.
As winners advance through the contest, they will be flown to various locales to perform. Destinations include a studio in Nashville, Tennessee, the 2012 Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, and the 2012 Musikmesse show in Germany. Entries will be judged by voters on the contest site, DrummerofTomorrow.com, as well as a panel of drum industry professionals and artists from the Mapex roster.
“This is the ultimate audition for any drummer out there – playing in front of a worldwide audience,” says Hibbs. For more information, visit www.DrummerofTomorrow.com.
Drummers!!
People have been telling me for years that I need to start writing a blog. After years of procrastinating and a couple false starts welcome to my first entry. There always seems to be something interesting going on around here and I’ll try to keep you up on all the latest. I’ll keep them brief and resist the temptation to ramble on. Check it out. Please let me know what you think.
Cheers!!
Donn
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David Palmer, Rod Stewart’s drummer for over 20 years stopped into the shop yesterday. He picked up a really cool 60s Ludwig downbeat piccolo snare and left me with his tartan finish (custom Stewart family tartan wrap by Scott Rockenfield’s Rockenwraps) DW snare for our celebrity drum museum. Both he and Rod signed the drum. We’ll have it up and on display today. Check out the pics. We look like a couple of nut cases. Probably because we’re so geeked out about our new snares!!
David is an extremely enjoyable guy that I have had the pleasure of knowing for somewhere around 10 or 15 years. I met him via a mutual friend and have stayed in contact ever since. Whenever he comes to town we always make a point of hooking up. Before joining the Rod Stewart band David was the drummer in ABC (The Look Of Love, Shoot That Poison Arrow). He’s recently been working with Dianne Birch, touring with Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks and recording Rod’s next album.
I’ve been a huge fan of Rod Stewart since I was a kid . The first concert I ever saw was Rod Stewart and the Faces with Tower Of Power back in 1972 or 73 at the then Seattle Center Coliseum( that’s now the Key Arena). Can anyone tell me the 2 legendary drummers in those 2 bands? I left that concert knowing that I wanted to be drummer and my dream at the time was to be the drummer in the Faces. I guess owning this drum is going to be as close as I get to that dream but I have no regrets. It’s really a cool drum and so many of my wildest dreams have come true that I cannot help but feel extremely fortunate, lucky and blessed.
The Donn Bennett Drum Studio was proud to once again sponsor the Brotherhood of the Drum Concert at the 2011 Ballard Jazz Walk. This year the concert featured Michael Shrieve, Kobie Watkins, Gregg Keplinger and Evan Woodle. To view photos from the concert, visit the Ballard Jazz Festival website.
During the month of May, buy any eligible Sabian AA, AAX, HH, HHX, Vault or Paragon Ride Cymbal, 20″ or larger and get a FREE CRASH!
It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
Here’s how it works:
- Purchase any SABIAN AA, AAX, HH, HHX, Vault or Paragon Ride Cymbal, 20” or larger.
- Visit www.SABIANRebate.com to select from the list of qualifying FREE Crash Cymbals and submit the online rebate form
- Write the transaction code from step 2 above on a copy of your receipt and mail it in.
It’s that simple!
VISIT www.SabianRebate.com FOR A LIST OF QUALIFYING CRASH CYMBALS!
Brand new from the 2011 NAMM Show is the Gretsch Renown 57′ – Motor City Blue Drumset. Inspired by the great American car companies from the 1950′s, the Renown57 incorporates timeless, iconic car design elements and applies them to drums.
The “hood ornament” is the Renown chevron, an aluminum triangular teardrop painted white with raised beveled chrome edges and embossed chrome Gretsch logo. Matching Gibraltar throne is included FREE for a limited time. Renown57 has standard Renown Maple specifications that produce punchy, full tones and rock solid performance.
Attached below is a video of our Gretsch Sales Representative, Rick Irvine, giving us a run through of the kit live from the 2011 NAMM show. You can expect this kit to be in our store in the coming months!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q8tLvq5dFk[/youtube]
Available within the next couple of weeks are the BRAND NEW from the 2011 NAMM Show, Sabian AAX Omni Cymbals.
Designed with the astonishing Jojo Mayer, OMNI is a brand new kind of cymbal. Not a crash, not a ride, it is simply OMNI – and it’s just the kind of innovation you’ve come to expect from the Artisans in the SABIAN VAULT.
METAL SABIAN B20 Bronze
WEIGHT Medium Center, Extra-Thin Edge
SIZE 18″, 22″
Contact us at email hidden; JavaScript is required or call (425) 747-6145 for more details.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnh1M51bB5I[/youtube]
Make sure you check the footage from our trip to the 2011 NAMM Show. Keep your eyes peeled for tons of cool new inventory at our shop in the next coming weeks. We will be posting these items on Facebook as they come in as well as featuring them on the website.
For now, you can check out our videos from the NAMM show on our video page. You can also find these on our YouTube Channel.
Stay tuned for some awesome gear and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. E-mail us at email hidden; JavaScript is required or call us at (425) 747-6145.
Please don’t forget to find Donn Bennett Drum Studio on Facebook. We announce exclusive deals to our Facebook fans that you will not want to miss. During our shop expansion (currently in progress), we will be selling certain inventory items at foolishly low prices including but not limited to:
- Mapex Meridian Birch & Meridian Maple Drum Sets
- Sabian, Meinl, & Zildjian Cymbal Packs
- Gretsch Catalina Club Kits
- Parts & Accessories for just about any drum you can imagine
You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/donnbennettdrumstudio. Once you get there, click the ‘Like’ button to receive the most up to date information on our deals and specials. If you know any drummers in the greater Northwest area (or in the world for that matter) who are interested in being a part of the drumming community, we would love for them to tune in. We update very frequently and you never know what you’re missing out on.
Hope to catch you online!
-DBDS
Discover the heartbeat of music in this 560-page coffee table book illuminating the eclectic world of drumming over the past 70 years. Fotos By Folletts photographers traveled to over 53 cities and photographed over 500 drummers to be included in the pages of this captivating hardback.
Sticks ‘n’ Skins not only provides visual inspiration with its stunning photos but also preserves the legacy of the diverse and unique drumming community. Sure to become a music lover’s collector’s item, this extraordinary book offers an opportunity for fans young and old to see a new side of the biggest names in music history.
– “This book documents our drumming history, thus preserving our talents and our reasons for why we do what we do for future generations to feel. It is a compelling and moving glimpse into the drumming community” -Dom Famularo, Drumming’s Global Ambassador.
We have copies available at Donn Bennett Drum Studio for $59.95. Come on in and grab one and indulge yourself in one of the best recounts of drumming history ever to hit the shelves.
Donn Bennett Drum Studio
13212 NE 16th St. #7 {view map}
Bellevue, WA 98005
phone: (425) 747-6145
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