The New Year is always an exciting time for musicians. Not only do we finally get to see all the new gear the drum companies have been hiding from us, but manufacturers also release their itinerary for the various drum clinics and events throughout the world. The 2008 year was very good to Orlando,FL in particular as Drums 2 Go brought us performances from artists such as Russ Miller, Dave Weckl, Thomas Lang, and Chris Coleman just to name a few. This year promises to be even better as Drums 2 Go kicked off their 2009 clinic year with Yamaha artist Teddy Campbell. Spectators were eager to get there early as the line almost reached out of the front door!

 

 

Although Teddy has played with entertainers such as Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and the Backstreet Boys, his most recent success has come from laying the groove behind the house band of the hit TV show American Idol. Teddy began the clinic with a brief introduction and then played along to several instrumental tracks before opening the floor to receive questions from the audience.

 

 

During the Q & A Teddy emphasized that being a drummer makes you the focal point of the band because your groove lays the foundation for every song. “It doesn’t matter how good the other guys are around you,” he says, “You could have the best singer, guitar player, bass player, keyboard player…..but if the drummer is whack, the band is whack!”  Teddy then expounded on the idea of “music” being a conversation and that everybody has their say. As a drummer, realize what it is you want to say, but you must also allow the other musicians to express themselves as well. “When I play, the drums are the voice I use to speak and that’s what I do. I’ll have a conversation and talk to the other musicians through my instrument. I don’t yell because if you do that it’s not a conversation anymore. A lot of the younger generations of drummers these days tend to overplay.”

 

 

When offering advice to beginning drummers Teddy made a point for them to seek musical instruction. Learn to read, and take drum lessons from an instructor that you admire and respect. Growing up Teddy admits to not being much of a reader and shared a few stories about how it eventually caught up with him at a particular gig which required him to read charts. From that moment on Teddy challenged himself to read music in order to evolve in the studio and as an overall musician. “With my background coming from the church and gospel music scene I always had big ears. I could listen to a song and pretty much have it after that, and that worked for a while. But I’m working on gig now after American Idol where we have to know 1,000 songs in 2 weeks! And trust me I would not have been able to do this gig if I couldn’t read. So reading is fundamental.”

Campbell then returned to the kit to yet again marvel the audience with his playing talent. Laying down a fat pocket groove with his meticulous work on the hi hat, his technical ability is nothing short of extraordinary. Having to cancel his previous clinic date due to a knee injury, you never would have known as Teddy’s feet were as fast as ever! “I used to practice with ankle weights and tighten the spring on my kick pedal as much as I could. I guess it’s just a church thing,” Teddy replied when asked about achieving foot speed. “Or a God given gift that all Gospel drummers have a fast feet. Playing at a church where all they sing is shout music-that will definitely give you a fast foot!”

                                                      

After chants for an encore rang out from the audience Teddy obliged the crowd with one more song before meeting everyone out front for autographs and pictures. Thanks again to Shane, Michelle, and the Drums 2 Go staff for kicking off this year’s clinic season with a bang!