Vintage Old School
Gold Member
I was at a Big Beat event (where dozens or hundreds of drummer bring their kit and everyone plays the money beat together to raise money for school music programs) and the drum clinic was hosted by Jim Riley (UNT grad, Rascal Flatts).
Before the clinic, In the crowd of kits & drummers, there was a teenager playing speed metal very well. Jim calls out this kid, compliments him and asks him to play something. He does. A fast tempo double bass flurry of metal licks. Then Jim asks him to play a samba, and gives him an example. The kid couldn’t do it. Jim asks him to play the 5/4 beat from Take Five. The kid couldn’t do it.
Jim thanked him and said that he was very talented in one niche, and that if he wanted to make a living at it he’d need to be able to play a much wider variety of material.
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That wasnt very cool of Jim. Why possibly discourage the kid?
I think it comes down to Jim's intent as an instructor and a coach. I don't think it was to embarrass or discourage the young man. I would take any compliment from Jim Riley as a serious compliment any day. It was likely an educational moment for this young man--and others present--to consider broadening their scope in order to add longevity to their careers as working/session/touring drummers. It would be interesting to read this kid's interview 20 years from now in Modern Drummer Magazine and he mentions this as defining moment in his career.