“Lesson with a Master” Scores Big Hit with Drummers during International Drum Month

Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) celebrated International Drum Month in May 2021 by offering its second annual “Lesson with a Master” promotion through PlayDrums.com. Drummers throughout the United States entered to win a one-hour online video lesson with acclaimed celebrity drummers and artists including Dave Weckl, Daru Jones, Scott Pellegrom, Tom Brechtlein, and Jamey Tate.

The popular giveaway attracted hundreds of entries from players of all levels, genders and ages. Nine individuals, selected at random, each won a private one-hour video-conference lesson with the master artist of their choice. Winners ages 16-69 included Florence Mims, Edgefield, SC; Bennet Wilson, San Antonio, TX; Kedrick Jett, Memphis, TN; Marqus Hamilton, Shreveport, LA; Edward Hoagland, Mount Juliet, TN, Sean Burgess, Los Angeles, CA; Sam Dutcher, West Fargo, ND; Joe Galbraith, Richland, WA and Ray Boreham, San Jose, CA.

Florence (Flo) Mims, 43 years old and from Edgefield, SC, was enthusiastic about her experience. “I won the drum lesson with Jamey Tate, and he is amazing,” she said. “I learned how to hold the drumsticks properly, how to relax my wrists, how to make sure I was positioned above the drum, how to time beats with the metronome, drumming notation, some rudiments (paradiddle, flam, double stroke roll,) some practicing, how to stage the drum set when you set one up, and I got to see him practice on his drum set. Jamey is an incredible musician. Thank you all so much for the drum lesson.”

Composer, producer and drummer Jamey Tate, a sought-after musician on the national touring and studio scenes, was grateful to be involved. “Thanks so much for inviting me to participate in the “Lesson with a Master” program this year. This is a truly great program that I hope will lead to many great young musicians getting excited about drumming,” said Tate.

“We are thankful to Dave Weckl, and the other artists involved in this year’s International Drum Month campaign, for giving these drummers not only a great drum lesson, but an opportunity to talk with a nationally-recognized master drummer for an hour,” explained Executive Director Antoinette Follett. “The PMC and International Drum Month offers people enthusiastic about playing drums a truly unique experience.”

The International Drum Month “Lesson with a Master” promotion ran from mid-April through May 31st and was open to anyone 14 years of age and older who had been playing drums for more than one year. Master drummers also engaged in attracting entries via their social media channels throughout International Drum Month. Visit playdrums.com to learn more about this year’s “Lesson with a Master” recipients.

As the official trade association of the percussion industry, PlayDrums.com connects the activities of our corporate members, nonprofit partners and the global percussion community. PMC member engagement is essential to growing our goals. Visit PlayDrums.com to find out how your company and brand can participate with PlayDrums.com.