Lou Mars was interviewed for KCHO radio by Catherine Beeghly about his world record attempt at marathon drumming. It airs today, 2/20/2010 at 3:00 PM Pacific time in the Chico area. You can listen below.

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Lou Mars	The Chinese New Year may have to change from “Year of the Tiger” to “Year of the Drummer” as my world record attempt at marathon drumming has ignited what perhaps may result in one of the greatest years ever for the “sport.” Strength training coaches Rob Wolf began one of the post-even interviews with “I don’t know who will ever want to take on this record again!” We now know the answer. Drummers are made to drum, and they love a challenge. Drums are back in the spotlight, and the players are anxious to shine.
Kunto Hartono	Kunto Hartono of Indonesia, the 2004 Guinness record holder, watched my 108.5 hour show via live stream, and contacted me shortly thereafter to announce and ask for my support for his March 2010 attempt. I responded with a positive, “Yes.” Kunto’s goal is to play for 135 hours.
Russ Prager	American Russ Prager, the current record holder at 120 hours, has also been in communication with me and stated “I’m keeping an eye on Kunto, if he breaks the record there just might be one more attempt in me!”
Allister Brown	Allister Brown, the 2008 record holder from the United Kingdom, also participated in the event, watching it in its entirety, and stated on his Facebook page “I feel the GBW bug growing in me again.” Steven Gaul, a marathon runner (and drummer) from Canada, also contacted me asking for tips as how he could beat the record.

What does this all mean? It means that the greatest marathon drummers of all time could be potentially playing with or against each other, all in the same year! And, that my dear drum fans results in “The Year of the Drummer.” Put on your seat belt, this ride is far from over!

Coming soon the Lou Mars marathon-drumming documentary…

As Long as the Music is Playing, Everything is OK.

Washed up Pro Drummer Lou Mars finds himself with no-where to go, when a series of events rekindles his appreciation for what is truly important in life. For 4 and 1/2 days Lou Mars not only pounds out an unending beat though pain and sleep deprivation, but is pushed into overdrive by his peppered past. We’ll reveal what drove Lou to take on this challenge, the obstacles he had to beat back, and why more than 47-thousand hearts were beating to the beat of one drum. This is an intimate portrait of a man on an unforgettable journey that pushes him beyond the edge of reality and back. A journey about music, hope and friendship that powerfully redefines what it means to succeed for all of us.

Lou Mars Facts:

• Hours played: 108.5 (4.5 days)
• Place in the records for longest marathon drumming: 2nd
• Broken drumsticks given away by Lou to children: 36
• Volunteers: 120
• UStream.tv views: 47,872
• Number of positive comments and e-mails received: +1,000
• Amount of money made for Little Kids Rock: $700.00
• Impact made on everyone involved: Unmeasurable

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 could not be touched while drumming
• He could accumulate 5 min breaks every hour

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:

• Husband and Wife team Robb Wolf and Nikki Violetti, strength & conditioning coaches, owners of NorCal Strength and Conditioning (Facebook) They kept Lou eating, hydrating, monitored Lou’s electrolyte levels.
• Tory Zellick with In Touch Body Works (Facebook), training up to the day of the event as well as physical therapist during the event.

(more…)

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.