X8 Drums Community Spotlight: Andrew H.

I do a number of Drum Circles in my community, including the one in the video below at our community recreation center. This is with the developmentally impaired community. I have a team of four men I work with in our community venture. We bring joy in our wake.

Why do I drum? I was born to drum. As a young child I was drawn to rhythm. I sharpened the edges of my mother’s Revere wear pan lids using them as cymbals. I used boxes, coffee cans and pencils for my first kit. In 5th grade in school I was pushed to play coronet. My mother rented one and due to my persistence she also bought me a pair of sticks, and the sticks won.

Rhythm was an early love. I played in school bands and in rock bands. One day, after years of being cold and hungry, I quit and got a day job. As time passed, my Spirit seemed to be lost. In a Spiritual quest, I kept running in to drums; they seemed to be everywhere in all corners of the world in many shapes and sizes. I was just drawn to play.

Today, I have a collection of drums from around the world that I share with my community. I have drums made from whatever a hide could be stretched over, i.e., "sewage pipe" and water pipe (“The Bride and Groom” - my own invention ) with hide to shakers and rattles, djembe, ashiko and whatever else finds its way in to my collection. I find there is a physiological, physiological, Spiritual and sometimes just a darn good feeling in the playing in a circle. The meaning of life the universe and everything is community rhythm.

Creating new instruments and drums is always an exceptional tribute to the beat! Thank you for sharing your story with us, Andrew! Drummers, tell us why YOU love drumming and drum circles! We'd love to share your story, too!