Hear the latest beats
The event will be streamed live world-wide from the Lakeside Pavilion and include a sneak preview of Lou Mars upcoming documentary. The drawing for the Dixon Demon drum set that Lou played on during the event will also take place. Lou will perform four songs along with a slide show and special guests. Friday, January 29th, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Pacific Time. Watch it on Lou’s Ustream channel.
Lou Mars Facts:
From January 14th to January 18th, 2010, Lou Mars attempted to break the Guinness Book of Word Records for Marathon Drumming in Chico, California. The event has changed the lives of many of the participants, volunteers and spectators alike. Lou’s endurance has become and inspiration to people all over the world. Both the visitors to NorCal Strength and Conditioning and viewers on the Ustream channel could not help but be compelled to support Lou. Workplace computer monitors all over the Chico as well as the Seattle Police Department where tuned into Lou during the event. The Mark & Brain syndicated radio show streamed the audio from the event live for two days.
Some terms from Guinness on Marathon Drumming Record:
Lou’s attempt to break the World Record for Marathon Drumming was a catalyst for change in Lou’s life, as he realized he would like to bring awareness to cancer and it’s connection to diet and exercise. Lou was inspired by his late friend Richard McKinley who recently passed away from cancer. Lou’s uncle is also currently suffering from cancer. He would also like kids to step up from Rock Band and Guitar Hero video games to real instruments.
Lou played on both his Dixon Outlaw drum set he won in our “Drum Your Way to Hollywood” contest as well as an Urban Camo Demon drum kit which was given away to a lucky donor with the proceeds went to help Little Kids Rock. It was reported that Lou’s drum equipment failed. This was untrue. The Dixon drum sets held strong, however, Lou’s hard hitting did vibrate three lug nuts from the bottom of one snare, and one bass drum nut completely unscrewed itself over the 4.5 day duration. The snares on the back-up snare drum were also vibrated loose. Over-all the gear held through a ferocious beating. With that said 30 sticks were cracked or broken and one pair of aluminum sticks bent during the process.
Brian Peterson and Lou Mars will be making of a mini documentary regarding the event. The documentary will explore the story in depth and the secondary stories that occurred during the process. The team will have a party on Friday the 29th which will also be livestreamed.
Key players:
Jim Stanek debuts the the new Dixon Outlaw in Obsidian Black finish at this years Winter NAMM 2010.
Jim shows the new Black Plasma finish Demon drum set at NAMM 2010, booth #5420, Hall B.
In this video Jim Stanek shows off the new 5.5″ x 14″ 24-ply 100% Bubinga shell snare drum, along with the Rosewood snare.
Watch Lou live on Ustream.tv!
Online video chat by Ustream
Dixon Drums has provided a new Dixon Demon Urban Camo drum set and hardware valued at $2,300.00 for Lou Mars to play on during the event that will be given away afterwards. “All proceeds” donated will go to the Fender supported “Little Kids Rock”. Since 2002, Little Kids Rock has been dedicated to putting music back in schools by providing free musical instruments and instruction that focuses on their favorite popular music styles, including rock, blues, rap and hip-hop. So far, over 1,200 schools in 21 cities nationwide have benefited from a Little Kids Rock program, and the response from kids, parents and teachers has been phenomenal. Donate here.
Dixon Drums is proud to introduce several exciting new products at the 2010 NAMM show. As we all know, and perhaps are tired of hearing, last year was a financially tough year for everyone. As we juggle last minute preparations for the 2010 NAMM Show, we are full of optimism about Dixon and what the year will bring. I thought now would be the perfect time to share a few thoughts about Dixon Drums. This is not a New Years resolution…but perhaps some insight and purpose for why we do what we do.
Before the 2008 USA launch, we wondered if the world really needed another drum brand. There are many fine brands with great legacies in the marketplace, so what would we bring to the show? So, we set out on a journey across the country to find out exactly what drummers wanted and what makes them excited about drums. We listened to what YOU, the drummer, cared about and the response was overwhelming; it’s all about the SOUND. Not the sound from a celebrity drummer…but YOUR sound. So, we built kicks, snares, toms and hardware based on your feedback, and we continue the conversation to constantly improve. We make great drums for drummers who are passionate about their music. Dixon won’t be endorsing the next arena act. Instead we’ll be reaching out to the drumming community to support YOU on your road to success.
Now, let’s get to the NAMM 2010 show. Check us out at booth # 5420 and you’ll see the newest edition to the Outlaw Series. 
It’s a great four-piece players kit, in Obsidian Black finish. This distinctive new finish gives the appearance of a half satin, half gloss lacquer finish. Check out a great review on the OUTLAW series from Drum magazine.
For our DEMON series, we have added two striking Plasma Lacquer finishes to the 2010 lineup. Our proprietary finish process produces one of a kind Plasma finishes – giving an exclusive look to each drummer. 
No two are the same. Ok, there may be some drummers out there who want exactly the same set up as “so and so” celeb drummer of the month. For those of you looking for originality and your own style check out the Red and Black Plasma Demon! It’s about who sits behind the drums that makes the biggest difference. But you still need a quality kit and the style… well, who doesn’t want to kick some ass and look great doing it, right?
So…to all, have a healthy and happy new year…and if you’re coming to the big show next week, make sure to drop by and say hi…and check out our new kits!
A soldier entertains himself and other playing beats on coffee cups and metal thermos with pencils.
from Break.com
Enter today for a chance to win a Dixon Outlaw drumkit outfitted with Toca percussion, Gibraltar hardware, and a set of Sabian AAX cymbals, or a Dixon rosewood snare, a Gibraltar snare stand, and a Sabian B8 Pro cymbal set.
A Dixon Outlaw five-piece drumset with 22″ bass drum in Blue Burst Sparkle finish, Toca double-row bar chimes, two Toca Pro Line cowbells, a Toca Static Whip, Toca 8″ and 10″ doumbeks with stand, a Toca hi-hat Hit Zone tambourine, a Toca jingle snare with mount, a complete Gibraltar Stealth rack set-up with 6600 Series hi-hat stand, double pedal, and throne, and a set of Sabian AAX cymbals that includes 14″ Stage hats, 16″ and 18″ AAX-Plosion fast crashes, and a 20″ Stage ride.
Dixon 100% Rosewood 6 x 13 snare with bag, a Gibraltar Ultra Adjust pro snare stand, and a Sabian Limited Edition B8 Pro set with bonus 18″ crash.
See the official rules here or below.
Grand Prize: One (1) winner will receive a
Approximate retail value of Grand Prize: $6,785.
Second Prize: One (1) winner will receive
Approximate retail value of second prize: $1,559.
Approximate retail value of entire contest: $8,340.
Modern Drummer Publications/Dixon-Sabian-Toca/Official
Rules/Winners List
12 Old Bridge Road
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009.
How many drum sets are enough? If you are like me, then you can never have enough drums. Although I can only play one kit at a time, I, for some reason, feel compelled to have many. I mainly play a 4 pc Dixon Outlaw set at all my gigs, but at any given time I can choose what the configuration will be. Maybe I want a 20″ 12″ 15″ set up on Thursday for a tighter more focused sound, but Friday, is a hard rock gig in a big room with large P.A. system so I need the 24″, 13″, 16″ and Saturday’s gig is at a smaller club where volume is a concern, so the 18″, 12″, 14″ will get it done. I take comfort in knowing that I have the right tools for the job, so to speak.
That being said, why then, did I need to purchase that 1970’s 3-ply Ludwig kit, that was beat to hell, and take the time and money to restore it? Aside from the fact that this kit sounds fantastic, what made me “have to have it“? I do not take this kit to very many gigs, I think I had to have this because it was like having a piece of my childhood. When I was a kid I always wanted a Ludwig kit, if you had Ludwig drums then you must be a good drummer, and at the very least you were the coolest kid on the block. As if that is not enough, I also “had to have” a 1961 Slingerland kit. This particular kit is in mint condition and just needs a quick polish on its chrome parts. This one I bought mainly because I felt it was collectible and honestly, the deal fell into my lap, and I could not refuse it. This brings up another point, With eBay, Craigslist, and if you’re like me and go to the many flea markets and tag sales in your area, there are tons of drums available for cheap money. So how many drums are too many?
In addition to these vintage sets, my main gear consists of a Demon series set in Urban Camo finish, Outlaw series kit in Black Burst. I also utilize a rack of snare drums, (this is a whole other conversation/blog) which includes my “go to” snare drum – a 6×13 Dixon Rosewood snare drum.
I am a drum geek – and while I may not be the best player, simply said, I just love to play drums and talk about drums with other drummers. I especially love hearing about what other drummers are using and why. There is a sense of pride when drummers talk about their drums.
So, again I ask how many drums are too many?
(photo by Flickr user victorchapa)
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