San Jose, Calif., November 20, 2008—Eighteen years ago, two drum/percussion magazine professionals, Andy Doerschuk and Phil Hood, lost their jobs with a prominent publishing conglomerate. In an economy that was certainly not thriving, the two men made a commitment to establish their own drum/percussion magazine business.

The result was Enter Music Publishing and over nearly two decades, the company has paradiddled, rolled, and buzzed (never a “rest,” mind you) through every challenge: The result? Today, the company’s drum and percussion magazines, DRUM!, Traps, DRUM Interactive, and HOW TO PLAY DRUMS, are considered some of the best publications in this highly competitive music trade magazine niche. And Hood and Doerschuk have garnered a strong reputation throughout the drum industry.

That’s how Enter Music Publishing, publishers of hip, drum/percussion magazines worldwide, has published the 150th Issue of DRUM! Magazine, its flagship title. One of its biggest issues, DRUM!’s 150th features the top ten cover stories of the magazine’s past fifteen years. Special coverage includes a diverse roster of drummers and percussionists, such as: Pete Escovedo and Sheila E; Chad Smith, Tre Cool, Carter Beauford, Travis Barker, Neil Peart, John Dolmayan, Tommy Lee, Joey Jordioson, Lars Ulrich and many others. The issue, quite possibly, is a great effort toward summarizing modern drum and percussion history in 138 pages.

“I’ve been reading DRUM! Magazine for several years now and it just keeps getting better and better,” said Bart Elliott, founder of www.drummercafe.com, a well-respected online drum community. “I’m especially enjoying the recent 150th Issue, Special Collector’s Edition. They did a really good job in terms of selecting the Top 10 DRUM! cover stories for the issue.”

“It’s been quite a ride (all puns intended),” said Phil Hood, publisher of DRUM! Magazine. “But I don’t think we would change anything that we have done in terms of the evolution of DRUM!, from its editorial to layout. We’ve always been open to changing the magazine’s format and content, which has kept us on the cutting edge. I think this issue documents that fact and we’re quite proud of our result.”

A good example of the magazine’s editorial strategy of innovative reporting is the recently added percussion mini-magazine. The Hand Drum section debuted in the middle of 2008 and has been well-received by the hand drum community. In the 150th Issue, what could be better than taking a percussive stride with Santana’s Percussion Team.

“Hand drumming is the root of all percussion” said. Andy Doerschuk, editor of DRUM! And, “we’re looking for ways to integrate it along with all the styles of music we cover, the gear, lessons and other features of interest to drummers. No other drumming magazines is doing anything like that.”

Well, noted, indeed.

The 150th issue of DRUM! has hit music stores, news stands and Barnes and Noble worldwide.

Credit: Article Found and used from bigdrumthump