As I mentioned in our history, it is unusual for an open, freestyle community drum circle to be asked to perform publicly.
Yet, my Massachusetts drum circle was often invited to perform and now my Yarmouth, Maine circle receives invitations.
At gigs we used to play drum piece after drum piece the way we would at a weekly drum circle. Today, because we have so much
diverse talent within the group, we provide structure and interest to the improvised pieces by backing 'featured performers.'
Those featured performers within our drum circle include my wife, Judy, who plays flute; Briana Crusin our vocalist, Martin
Steingesser our poet/storyteller, and Rudy Gabrielson on blues harmonica. In 2008 we hope to incorporate Margaret Williams
who sings Scottish Gaelic songs, Daryne Sandford on harp and Rob Lindsay on didgeridoo. As long as creative talent keeps walking
through our doors the possibilities are endless.
I used to have to ask for volunteers when we were invited to play a 'gig'. Often, I turned down invitations because of a lack
of volunteers. Then, in late 2005, I began running into the problem of having TOO MANY volunteer drummers and having to turn
some down. Today we have a core group of drummers who play the performances.
In July, 2006, Different Drummers received a last minute request from the Yarmouth Clam Festival to fill a few time slots.
For those of you who aren't familiar, the population of Yarmouth, ME goes from 8,000 to 120,000 during the Clam Festival.
On Saturday we took to the main stage and 'rocked the tent!' At first, people had come in out of the rain, but, after the
sun came out the audience kept pouring in! All the seats were filled and loads of people were standing! I still get approached
from time to time from folks who remember that performance. In July, 2007 we were invited to take the stage as scheduled performers.
We were ALSO asked to participate in the Clam Festival Parade... On a float! It was one of the most fun things I did all year.
In October, 2006 we performed for Women In God's annual conference. It was one of my favorite performances. It was the first
time we tried the popular 'featured performer' format where we backup featured performers rather than play one drum piece
after another. In September, 2007 we were asked to perform at the Common Ground Fair. They put us in the biggest tent available.
So many people gathered to hear us play that there were 30 to 40 people listening at each entrance because there was no more
room inside the tent! They asked us to play the Main Stage in 2008.
During the winter of 2007 we provided the music for an incredible show that featured the Poet Laureates of Maine and of
Portland, Maine. We continue to be asked to provide music for church services of various faiths. I'm always proud to point
out that we receive invitations from the Catholics, the Pagans and everyone in between! (A testimony to the power of drumming
as a bridge-builder.)
In February, 2007 we were featured in "Drumming and Rumi: A Celebration of Love" which took place in Portland, Maine.
Here we played to a capacity audience with readings from the poet Rumi's love poetry between our drum pieces. Several of the
videoclips you'll find on this page are from that evening...
