DRUMS
MY DRUM HEROES | Carl Albrecht
What ’ s the question every drummer hears at one time or another ? - Who is your favorite drummer ? Honestly … I don ’ t have just one . There are many players who have influenced me through the years . And I think this is a great time to review the list of my drum heroes . I also hope you find this helpful as a reference of players you should listen to as a means to expand your musical horizons .
My first drum inspirations were not drum soloists . Although through the years the great swing era players such as Gene Krupa , Buddy Rich , and Louie Bellson would be added to my list of drum heroes . It seems that I was more influenced by songs than individual musicians . Although it was the drums in those songs that always seemed to draw me . The meshing of drum grooves with great melodies , guitar riffs , piano vamps , and of course , great bass patterns , always inspires me . It was the drums as part of great songs that made me want to play . And so it is today . I ’ m drawn to great songwriting and arrangements more than drum solos . Although there are a lot of drum records in my collection now .
So who were those early “ ear grabbers .” Well on early rock and country records like “ Pretty Woman ” was Buddy Harmon from Nashville who played on thousands of great recordings . There ’ s also Hal Blaine who was part of the “ The Wrecking Crew ” in L . A . A nickname the young players were given by the “ legit ” musicians of the day because it was said these young studio musicians would wreck the music business . His credits also list in the thousands . I use to sit down and play along with tons of records (* yes , vinyl ) that Hal recorded . “ Classical Gas ,” “ Close To You ,” “ Galveston ,” I know they ’ re just old pop hits , but that ’ s what I grew up on . This was long before I knew about worship and gospel music .
There ’ s also Jim Keltner , John Guerin , John J . R . Robinson , Russ Kunkel , and ... oh ... I know I ’ ll forget some because the list is huge ! Oh yes … Jeff Porcaro definitely ranks up there as a favorite . I would buy recordings just because I ’ d see his name in the credits . All of those great Toto records , Boz Skaggs , Steely Dan , and many more fantastic performances . There ’ s also Larrie London , Manu Katche , Steve Smith , Greg Bissonette , Phil Collins , Ricky Lawson , and the list goes on and on . Oh , wait … I can ’ t forget - oh my gosh !… Vinnie Colaiuta , Steve Gadd , and Dave Weckl !
The point I ’ m trying to make here is that you should be influenced by many artists . Don ’ t fall into the trap of listening to only one player or style . I ’ ve seen drummers so obsessed with one type of player that they are limited in their ability to play in different settings … which is an absolute must for a musician today in any genre ; even worship .
Besides your favorite Worship , or Rock or Pop records there should be other things in your collection . Listen to the jazz greats like Elvin Jones , Tony Williams , Max Roach , and Roy Haynes . Latin icons like Tito Puente or Alex Acuna . Check out some country music with Eddie Bayers , James Stroud , or Paul Leim . Paul can also be heard on tons of pop hits as well as some of your favorite Christian recordings .
The great drummers you hear on Christian music is an extensive list of its own . Steve Brewster , Scott Williamson , Mark Hammond , Dan Needham , and John Hammond are just a few of the players that have laid the foundation to the music that you are probably most familiar . When I first got saved in college my first Christian record was Keith Green ’ s “ For Him Who Has Ears to Hear .” Bill Maxwell was the drummer on all of Keith ’ s records as well as many Andre Crouch albums . He became my first mentor of drumming for Jesus . Then there was Alex Acuña , Bob Wilson , and Keith Edwards and the others I ’ ve mentioned . It ’ s been an honor through the years to work with some of my drum heroes . The main thing I noticed is not only were they gifted players but also humble people . I believe that many talented people know that their skill is a divine gift .
So go out and add some stuff to your collection that will expand your musical horizons . A good way to start is to buy a greatest hits collection of a certain artist or era . That ’ s what it ’ s all about : Learning and growing ! Being faithful to the talent the Lord has placed in you .
Listen & Learn .
Carl with Alex Acuña Carl with Russ Kunkel
Carl Albrecht Professional drummer for 30 + years , playing with Paul Baloche , Don Moen , Ron Kenoly , Abe Laboriel , LeAnn Rimes and others . He ’ s also a clinician , author & pastor . Contact Carl for coaching , online lessons , producing , or sessions . I ’ m still growing too .. www . CarlAlbrecht . com LMAlbrecht @ aol . com