One time back in high school, I was at this hotel party and heard that REO Speedwagon was staying there. Me and a friend went down to the bar and I met Brian Hitt. I was sitting at the bar between him and the keyboard player, who kept telling me all kinds of dirty jokes. I didn't get kicked out for being too young but I didn't try to order a beer either.
Growing up in a small town near Omaha, Nebraska, I was always visiting Joe Voda's Drum City. 311's Chad Sexton worked there for a while when he was just out of high school. His mom also worked there. I later worked with her at Mars Music when it was still around. Now, she manages Chad Sexton's Drum City in North Hollywood, California. She sent me a free hat. Chad is still one of my favorite and most influential drummers. I never really "knew" him but knew who he was before he was famous.
Just from hanging out at Ranch Bowl (bowling alley/sand volleyball court/billiards bar/rock club/recording studio) here in Omaha (it's been bulldozed and is now a Walmart), I've met a lot of different guys. Ive met Anthony Watson from The Wailers, Philip "Fish" Fisher from Fishbone, John Pessoni from The Urge, as well as John Stanier from Helmet. They were all very nice people. I should also mention that 311 used to play there every Monday for a little while before they moved to Los Angelas.
Thanks to locally sponsored drum clinics in Omaha and Kansas City, I've been able to shake hands and briefly talk to the likes of Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Virgil Donati, Terry Bozzio, Bob Rock, Mark Schulman, Greg Bisonette, Rod Morgenstein, and Dennis Chambers.
I don't live in a major music hub like some of you so I feel pretty lucky to have had the exposure that I've had. Although I try to be as cool as possible whenever I meet any of these amazing drummers, I'm pretty sure I've been on par with the most annoying of fanboys. I just can't help it. I'm easily star-struck.