pat boone debby boone

the timing couldn't be better.

my oldest son, simon, famously told a judge at his 6th grade solo and ensemble contest that he didn't like playing drums. he has thought for quite a while that we are making him stick with band, which is partly true.  we don't want him to up and quit something just because he doesn't like it, knowing that he (like any other 12 year old kid) (we hope) will pull that routine with any other insignificant obstacle that pops up in his way.  plus, i told him that if he quit band i'd make him be in choir.  he begrudgingly agreed to stay in band, but made it clear that it was against his will.  so dramatic.

during the past two weeks, simon has been learning to play drumset.  he is nuts about it.  he has been skipping his recesses in order to head to the band room and work on his groove.  i drop him off early in the mornings so he can get some time in on the kit before class begins.  mr. fair is suddenly the coolest, mrs. lekwa is still out of touch, and mr. moore (one of our isu student teachers, trumpet) is the best drummer simon has ever heard.

jennifer and sonja, simon's two moms, headed out yesterday and bought simon his first drumset.  they got a whale of a deal on craigslist, and simon approved of the color and feel.  he took his sticks along and tried out the rig before they bought it. he's into it so we're throwing our collective weight behind this musical whim.  we set it up today, and sonja and i spent about 45 minutes getting stumped by hi-hat assembly.  i helped simon position his drums and showed him some pretty terrible renditions of fundamental drum concepts, then prayed under my breath that he has more of an idea how to do this than i do.

that very same saturday, i had the opportunity to hear one of my musical heroes give a clinic/life coaching session.  dave king (the bad plus, halloween alaska, happy apple, buffalo collision, gang font) showed up at a drum shop in west des moines, thanks to the incredibly generous and faith-based personal investment in creative music by my good friend and musical cohort joel gettys.  king was incredible, talking more about the creative process and less about nerd out drum shit. anecdotes about joshua redman, bjork, radiohead, django bates, phil collins, tim berne, and jello pudding pops were as entertaining as they were insightful.  he talked in conceptual terms that resonated within me, further confirming to myself that i am on the right path.  he preached on the musical combination of intent and vulnerability.  he emphasized that playing with the notion of contributing to the greater good of the music is vital.  i needed to hear that again.

i called simon on the way home and told him that, if he wanted to get serious about drums, i felt like i could help him out. i told him that dave king was amazing, gave me some good ideas to chew on, and that i was excited about helping him learn to be a creative musical artist.  he plainly replied "okay, dad". i think he was watching kale play a wrestling video game while on the phone with me.

i have no idea who the boones are, but i love the word association that king attached to the classic drum fill.