2007 About: Drums, Cancer and the Billy effect.
NOTE: This is an intro background or a stroll down lifes memory lane rather than a blog.
I just finished. I am pretty whipped from some crazy daisy new experimental meds crashing me, intense physical therapy and a conference call. I hope to get on my drums in the next three days. I hope Ill be writing from Tahoe in a few weeks.
Wednesday by noon each week Ill be giving all you can handle (That was an unfortunate choice of words-- watched 5 mintues ultimate fighting and look.)
Note to Aaron: Reading the sticky Solid. Careful, if you sting the slog bee...no suck for you. (I hate the way that hilarious allegory sounded... sinners.)
Slog Background edition: (Blogs will not use 42 gigs like this post does.)
I have written Slog On at the end of my school papers, posts, letters and emails for the last 20 years. I have encountered many who do not know what it means. Slog defined: 1.To hit hard 2. To plod (one's way) perseveringly especially against difficulty. (Example: He slogged through the deep snow to arrive) 3. To work hard and steadily.
As a youngster I had no idea the personal meaning it would take on over the course of my life. Somewhere I was dared to reach. To jump off the merry go round and ride the roller coaster.
1984- I bought a snare drum when I was 13. At 14 my parents were driving by a garage sale that had just ended and the people were hauling back this vintage drum set. I begged my parents, they stopped and we bought for 50 bucks. 3 drums, bass, rack, snare, junky cymbal and hi hats and various hardware. The drums said Ludwig. Ancient hi hat and cymbal mount on the bass. The hi-hat cymbals that came with the drum would often turn inside out as they came together. Didnt matterI loved it.
1 week later I started high school. I had enrolled in Jazz band. In the Jazz band room were 2 other freshmen, 1 sophomore and watching/mocking were 3 senior drummers, 2 juniors, and one very cocky recent graduate who insisted on telling everyone he was the best the school had ever seen. He was impressive in sounding his own trumpet. (3 years later he was in my house playing my drums talking to me as an equal.)
They asked us freshman to do a roll around the drums. The first 2 did it without problem and were steady. I sat down and what proceeded made everyones day except for me. They laughed, mocked and had expressions of, are you serious? I slogged on.
I played football but would give up basketball and baseball season to the chagrin of my parents and coaches to practice and play.
4 years later I was the all state drummer. I did a big drum solo to Birdland for my final concert after traveling everywhere with an all state band and high school. It was videoed by my then girlfriend who is now my wife. I was glad to have slogged on.
(When I left to go play on the road my brothers recorded 4 hours of MTV and Friday night videos over that solo and other performances.)
I played after high school back east with some big acts for a while but eventually was in college with eyes set on law school. I had never ever thought of drums as a career. I turned down some Vegas Broadway shows to enter college. The drums for the most part were put away for 10 years. They became great end tables for our couch while in college. The bass drum held our TV. (I had upgraded to a CB700 kit a few years before.) I slogged on without drums finding success in other fields.
2000 and almost 30 years of age I was diagnosed with cancer with the primary tumor in my lower back. (Iliac Crest) Things got worse some months later when I found out it had spread to my lungs. I was stage 3. There is no stage 4. Sparing you all the minutiae except to say I managed to slog on for many years.
After I had spent some time in a nursing home I was back at home. For many nights there after I would lay there wonderingif I did live, what could I do. I was a mess physically. Being considered incurable can ruin a guys weekend. I was in an electric wheelchair after many surgeries. I had been doing intense physical therapy trying to get strength back to walk. Many nights my eyes watered my pillow. 5 years passed and we slogged on battling daily.
Then one day watching a show I focused on the drummer and recalled the physical exertion and dexterity learned playing drums. I started watching drummers from then on and catching up on the drummers of the day. A lot had changed! I was a newbie again in the drummer world.
Then it hit methats itperfect physical therapy and when I do the daily pukingit would at least be from exerting myself on something I loved. I went to Donn Bennetts drum shop that was having a big sale. I could not fit in his shop with my wheelchair so stayed outside the front door. Saw Steve Smith from Journey and Vital Signs, talked to him and a few pictures were shot.
We went home with one drum - A 1967 Supraphonic snare with a lot of personality for 50 bucks. We talked about this new Mapex Pro M set. 2 drums, the bass and rack for $175. We debated for a full day. Going back and forth, deciding if we should, we continued to internalize. The last thing I needed was a reminder of what I could not do anymore. We had to be careful as the money in cancer also can ruin a guys weekend. Finally in the suburban the next day driving home from radiation we decided to do it. We picked up the set.
I had a snare, bass and rack. Id run out of steam fast (seconds) when playing and had to use my wheelchair for a throne, but I was drumming. Life was good.
A few weeks later we bought hi hats etc and they happen to have an orphan drum same color in 13x11. Yes, a floor tom. It was onI was building up. I was after a period of months walking for 20 minutes with a cane and my usual crazy amounts of morphine! (Still doing the 50 med pills a day.)
Even radiation treatments and an ongoing chemo experimental were not having the devastating effects. I went a month without being admitted. YES!!! I was getting better and not dieing. Cancer was being controlled.
Christmas came and went then in January I heard of a clinic at Donn Bennetts. The drummer was Billy Ward. Who, I asked myself. They had a picture on their site. He looked funky. I looked up the info. And found myself a few days before his clinic at his site. Guys like, Yamaha, Navin, Bbunks, Mario, Auger, CPThrasher, Nola, Scott, Aaron. Just hanging and talking drums. I read a few posts by Billy. He was real. He was venting on something that had been said in another forum. I could relate... I made plans to attend the clinic.
The day of the clinic was a big day for me. I had not driven myself in over 5 years Anywhere! I was not having the best day and debated going. My daughter had picked out the material for a shirt and beanie so I slipped it on and left. I decided to just slog on and check out Billy Ward.
It was surreal driving. People on cell phones stopping traffic. I was actually by myself going somewhere after 5 years of needing assistance.
Anyhow I got there, sat down as fast as I could near the back and watched while laying my chin on my canes handle... Billy began and for 2 hours, attested to the fact imagination can win over obstacles of facility.
It was precisely what I needed. He was soul solid behind the kit, demonstrating of what he spoke. The best musician/drummer I had seen live. Very Powerful.
At the end Billy threw out prizes and a shirt to me in a packed room.
He later told me it was hard to miss me with that beanie my daughter made. (It was a few sizes to big...since my daughter made it....solidly perfect.)
Billy went into the drum room and signed autographs. I sat down on a Roc-n-Soc to rest. When everyone had gone and the last autograph was signed I approached Billy. We started talking and he asked a little about my health thing. He mentioned immediately a friend of his named Mark Craney and recommended a book to me. (I did not know who Mark Craney was at the time.)
I told Billy the next time he comes up well grab lunch. He said, Sounds great. I like to eat We posed for a picture and then Don Bennett joined us in one as well. The picture with the three of us is posted at Donn Bennetts site. The picture of Billy and I was recently used in the DVD Yamaha produced.
I purchased the Roc-n-Soc. Solid throne.
Billy was outside when I drove off in my suburban and we both waved. I had joined the forum the day of the clinic and the next day made a post in a thread on the clinic. I read a post from this guy named Navin, he thought the energy from the crowd was better at the first one he attendedthe one I wasnt at. I found out later Navin was invited on stage to play during the first clinic. Seems to me our Navin was probably just upset he wasn't asked for an encore. chirp chirp
I read a post from a gal named Glynes who also attended. It was the start of a new family of friends... and Navin.
Three months later still inspired I joined a band with a solid singer who was a finalist on TV just a few weeks before. I started playing shows with her. I learned new techniques and mechanisms like how to puke discreetly and in time. I did a clinic for the kids at Children's Hospital. I went into the studio with various acts. A producer friend asked me to play on some jingles.
Today I drum and work in another passion when my cancer is somewhat manageable and not flaring...
I setup when traveling ahead of time treatments at the local hospital and go on days off. This has allowed me to play in Nevada and California a lot in the last year and a half.
Next few weeks I will be heading to Tahoe for three weeks.
In 3 years I have come from a nursing home, virtually and literally deaths bed many times to be wanted on a stage playing music. I am one LUCKY unlucky drummer.
Life is good!
Slog On, Forrest
NOTE: This is an intro background or a stroll down lifes memory lane rather than a blog.
I just finished. I am pretty whipped from some crazy daisy new experimental meds crashing me, intense physical therapy and a conference call. I hope to get on my drums in the next three days. I hope Ill be writing from Tahoe in a few weeks.
Wednesday by noon each week Ill be giving all you can handle (That was an unfortunate choice of words-- watched 5 mintues ultimate fighting and look.)
Note to Aaron: Reading the sticky Solid. Careful, if you sting the slog bee...no suck for you. (I hate the way that hilarious allegory sounded... sinners.)
Slog Background edition: (Blogs will not use 42 gigs like this post does.)
I have written Slog On at the end of my school papers, posts, letters and emails for the last 20 years. I have encountered many who do not know what it means. Slog defined: 1.To hit hard 2. To plod (one's way) perseveringly especially against difficulty. (Example: He slogged through the deep snow to arrive) 3. To work hard and steadily.
As a youngster I had no idea the personal meaning it would take on over the course of my life. Somewhere I was dared to reach. To jump off the merry go round and ride the roller coaster.
1984- I bought a snare drum when I was 13. At 14 my parents were driving by a garage sale that had just ended and the people were hauling back this vintage drum set. I begged my parents, they stopped and we bought for 50 bucks. 3 drums, bass, rack, snare, junky cymbal and hi hats and various hardware. The drums said Ludwig. Ancient hi hat and cymbal mount on the bass. The hi-hat cymbals that came with the drum would often turn inside out as they came together. Didnt matterI loved it.
1 week later I started high school. I had enrolled in Jazz band. In the Jazz band room were 2 other freshmen, 1 sophomore and watching/mocking were 3 senior drummers, 2 juniors, and one very cocky recent graduate who insisted on telling everyone he was the best the school had ever seen. He was impressive in sounding his own trumpet. (3 years later he was in my house playing my drums talking to me as an equal.)
They asked us freshman to do a roll around the drums. The first 2 did it without problem and were steady. I sat down and what proceeded made everyones day except for me. They laughed, mocked and had expressions of, are you serious? I slogged on.
I played football but would give up basketball and baseball season to the chagrin of my parents and coaches to practice and play.
4 years later I was the all state drummer. I did a big drum solo to Birdland for my final concert after traveling everywhere with an all state band and high school. It was videoed by my then girlfriend who is now my wife. I was glad to have slogged on.
(When I left to go play on the road my brothers recorded 4 hours of MTV and Friday night videos over that solo and other performances.)
I played after high school back east with some big acts for a while but eventually was in college with eyes set on law school. I had never ever thought of drums as a career. I turned down some Vegas Broadway shows to enter college. The drums for the most part were put away for 10 years. They became great end tables for our couch while in college. The bass drum held our TV. (I had upgraded to a CB700 kit a few years before.) I slogged on without drums finding success in other fields.
2000 and almost 30 years of age I was diagnosed with cancer with the primary tumor in my lower back. (Iliac Crest) Things got worse some months later when I found out it had spread to my lungs. I was stage 3. There is no stage 4. Sparing you all the minutiae except to say I managed to slog on for many years.
After I had spent some time in a nursing home I was back at home. For many nights there after I would lay there wonderingif I did live, what could I do. I was a mess physically. Being considered incurable can ruin a guys weekend. I was in an electric wheelchair after many surgeries. I had been doing intense physical therapy trying to get strength back to walk. Many nights my eyes watered my pillow. 5 years passed and we slogged on battling daily.
Then one day watching a show I focused on the drummer and recalled the physical exertion and dexterity learned playing drums. I started watching drummers from then on and catching up on the drummers of the day. A lot had changed! I was a newbie again in the drummer world.
Then it hit methats itperfect physical therapy and when I do the daily pukingit would at least be from exerting myself on something I loved. I went to Donn Bennetts drum shop that was having a big sale. I could not fit in his shop with my wheelchair so stayed outside the front door. Saw Steve Smith from Journey and Vital Signs, talked to him and a few pictures were shot.
We went home with one drum - A 1967 Supraphonic snare with a lot of personality for 50 bucks. We talked about this new Mapex Pro M set. 2 drums, the bass and rack for $175. We debated for a full day. Going back and forth, deciding if we should, we continued to internalize. The last thing I needed was a reminder of what I could not do anymore. We had to be careful as the money in cancer also can ruin a guys weekend. Finally in the suburban the next day driving home from radiation we decided to do it. We picked up the set.
I had a snare, bass and rack. Id run out of steam fast (seconds) when playing and had to use my wheelchair for a throne, but I was drumming. Life was good.
A few weeks later we bought hi hats etc and they happen to have an orphan drum same color in 13x11. Yes, a floor tom. It was onI was building up. I was after a period of months walking for 20 minutes with a cane and my usual crazy amounts of morphine! (Still doing the 50 med pills a day.)
Even radiation treatments and an ongoing chemo experimental were not having the devastating effects. I went a month without being admitted. YES!!! I was getting better and not dieing. Cancer was being controlled.
Christmas came and went then in January I heard of a clinic at Donn Bennetts. The drummer was Billy Ward. Who, I asked myself. They had a picture on their site. He looked funky. I looked up the info. And found myself a few days before his clinic at his site. Guys like, Yamaha, Navin, Bbunks, Mario, Auger, CPThrasher, Nola, Scott, Aaron. Just hanging and talking drums. I read a few posts by Billy. He was real. He was venting on something that had been said in another forum. I could relate... I made plans to attend the clinic.
The day of the clinic was a big day for me. I had not driven myself in over 5 years Anywhere! I was not having the best day and debated going. My daughter had picked out the material for a shirt and beanie so I slipped it on and left. I decided to just slog on and check out Billy Ward.
It was surreal driving. People on cell phones stopping traffic. I was actually by myself going somewhere after 5 years of needing assistance.
Anyhow I got there, sat down as fast as I could near the back and watched while laying my chin on my canes handle... Billy began and for 2 hours, attested to the fact imagination can win over obstacles of facility.
It was precisely what I needed. He was soul solid behind the kit, demonstrating of what he spoke. The best musician/drummer I had seen live. Very Powerful.
At the end Billy threw out prizes and a shirt to me in a packed room.
He later told me it was hard to miss me with that beanie my daughter made. (It was a few sizes to big...since my daughter made it....solidly perfect.)
Billy went into the drum room and signed autographs. I sat down on a Roc-n-Soc to rest. When everyone had gone and the last autograph was signed I approached Billy. We started talking and he asked a little about my health thing. He mentioned immediately a friend of his named Mark Craney and recommended a book to me. (I did not know who Mark Craney was at the time.)
I told Billy the next time he comes up well grab lunch. He said, Sounds great. I like to eat We posed for a picture and then Don Bennett joined us in one as well. The picture with the three of us is posted at Donn Bennetts site. The picture of Billy and I was recently used in the DVD Yamaha produced.
I purchased the Roc-n-Soc. Solid throne.
Billy was outside when I drove off in my suburban and we both waved. I had joined the forum the day of the clinic and the next day made a post in a thread on the clinic. I read a post from this guy named Navin, he thought the energy from the crowd was better at the first one he attendedthe one I wasnt at. I found out later Navin was invited on stage to play during the first clinic. Seems to me our Navin was probably just upset he wasn't asked for an encore. chirp chirp
I read a post from a gal named Glynes who also attended. It was the start of a new family of friends... and Navin.
Three months later still inspired I joined a band with a solid singer who was a finalist on TV just a few weeks before. I started playing shows with her. I learned new techniques and mechanisms like how to puke discreetly and in time. I did a clinic for the kids at Children's Hospital. I went into the studio with various acts. A producer friend asked me to play on some jingles.
Today I drum and work in another passion when my cancer is somewhat manageable and not flaring...
I setup when traveling ahead of time treatments at the local hospital and go on days off. This has allowed me to play in Nevada and California a lot in the last year and a half.
Next few weeks I will be heading to Tahoe for three weeks.
In 3 years I have come from a nursing home, virtually and literally deaths bed many times to be wanted on a stage playing music. I am one LUCKY unlucky drummer.
Life is good!
Slog On, Forrest
