Billy Drummond | Gretsch Drums
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Billy Drummond

Country: 
US
Band or Affiliations: 
Freedom of Ideas
Current Kit Setup: 

14X18 in Bass Drum 8X12in Mounted Tom, 14X14 Floor Tom, 6-1/2X14 Snare, 3 Cymbal Stands, Hi Hat Stand, Snare Stand, Drum Throne, Bass Drum Pedal

Influences: 

Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Al Foster, Tony Williams, Billy Higgins, Joe Chambers, Roy Haynes, Jimmy Cobb, Elvin Jones, Billy Hart, Jack DeJohnette, Art Blakey, Pete LaRoca, Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, Lenny White, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter and many others.

We asked...Why Gretsch?: 

"I've been playing Gretsch Drums since 1978. My father, who was very influential in my musical upbringing and started me playing drums, always told me that he had Gretsch Broadcasters. He was very proud of that fact. At the time I started playing the drums, the drummers I listened to via my father‘s jazz record collection all played Gretsch, including, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, etc. The drummers I was into as I got a bit older, also all played Gretsch – Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Lenny White, etc. They all had that sound that I was drawn to and that's the sound I wanted. That's why I chose Gretsch. I still have my first hand-rubbed walnut Gretsch drum set and they still look and sound great. Gretsch is also my sound on approximately 300 recordings."

Advice to Aspiring Musicians: 

"Learn to play your instrument well, learn as much as you can about music, play as much as you can in as many situations as possible, and save your money for the ups and downs of the fluctuating music business!"