Our Nick D'Virgilio Clinic on April 26, 2008
When we decided to host another clinic for our one year anniversary, we decided we wanted to go above and beyond the average clinic
and host one that would be memorable for many years. I think we succeeded.
After working closely with Mapex and Meinl, we were honored to select Nick D’Virgilio as our featured artist who is endorsed
by both companies. In addition to having a clinic with Nick, we planned to have an extra memorable event that would last all afternoon and evening of
Saturday, April 26, 2008. The staff and instructors all agreed to participate and perform to add an extra three hours of entertainment to the event.
Scott Milliron said he would bring his band, Papa Wheelie and the Impediments, to event to perform a
handful of songs. Adam Young would also bring his regularly working band,
The Matt Koon Foundation,
and Chris Thomas and myself partnered up and worked up a unique act consisting of percussion and drum set that focused on
Afro-Cuban and Latin music. Sean Combes was fairly busy competing and traveling with the Powhatan Indoor Drumline so
he offered his skills as a lighting technician and show coordination instead of performing.
Nick D’Virgilio arrived at the Richmond International Airport Friday evening. We met up with Nick and Chris Adler (Lamb of God) and had dinner at a
restaurant called P.F. Chang’s. We had met Chris a few weeks earlier when he stopped in the shop for some gear and we invited him as a
guest to the clinic.
Nick D'Virgilio, myself, and Chris Adler
Nick D'Virgilio, myself, Scott Milliron, and Chris Adler.
The next day, the Just Drums staff met at the shop around 9am and began loading up the truck. We had a big day ahead of us and needed all
the help we could get. Not only did we have to set up the location for Nick’s clinic but we also had to set up an impressive display of Mapex drum sets,
a full Meinl slatwall display, and the stage had to be set up to accommodate four bands, as well as Nick’s drum set. Sound checks were
need for all acts as well.
Just some of the Meinl gear we brought with us.
It took several hours to load, drive, unload, and set up all this gear. The event was held at Powhatan High School since the scale of the event was
larger than the Just Drums shop could accommodate. The Powhatan High School auditorium was very impressive too.
We received many compliments on the facility and we plan on using it again many times in the future. Nick did a sound check around 3pm and
all was set to begin at 4pm. Chris Adler arrived at about 4pm if I remember correctly, and was there to support us and Nick.
He didn’t perform but gave many autographs and photo opportunities.
The percussion set up of Chris Thomas.
The Saturn set Nick performed on (minus a lot of cymbals).
Chris and my son Grayson!
Nick fine tuning his set.
Nick getting his tunes ready for a soundcheck.
Scott Milliron’s band Papa Wheelie, took the stage first at 4pm. All though all band members are seasoned performers,
this was their first performance as this band. The performed a couple of Led Zepplin, Rush, and Police songs. They performed them
extremely well and it was a true refection of their combined talents. It was a great first time performance for this band.
Scott Milliron. Yes, those are LP Temple blocks. He used in the Rush song The Trees.
Scott Milliron.
Surprise!
Chris Thomas and myself took the stage shortly after and performed for about 30 minutes. I played my Mapex Saturn drum set and Chris
played his congas, timbales, and hand percussion. We played a series afro-cuban and latin grooves. They were actually more like compositions and were
much more than just “jamming”. Each piece contained groove changes, time changes, and solos. It was a blast and personally,
I thought it was great to get out once again and perform since it had been several years since I performed live.
The set up of Shane Fowlkes and Chris Thomas.
Shane Fowlkes.
Chris Thomas.
Overhead shot of myself.
The next act brought down the house and was simply amazing. Adam Young told me about one of his students named Zach that he taught from his home.
He told me of Zach’s physical handicap (if I dare call it that) but he told me just how good this kid was regardless of having only one hand. As soon as I heard this,
I knew he would have been good for the show. We convinced him to perform a few weeks earlier and he did just that.
Zach is essentially missing his left hand so he set up a snare drum he played with a pedal using his foot. He also had a second snare off to his
right side so he could play a snare with his right hand when he needed too.
Zach Faison.
Handicapped or not, Zach rocked. He was simply amazing. I don’t mean he was good for a one armed drummer – he was a
great drummer period! It was amazing the sounds this kid was getting out of his customized drum set. He laid done some wicked funk grooves, rock grooves,
latin grooves, and I believe he threw some jazz & swing in there too. Me along with the other 200 attendees simply could believe what were
hearing. Not only did he play some great grooves (for 15 minutes non stop), his fills were solid and creative.
In short, Zach brought down the house and got a standing ovation. I’m hoping to post a video of him soon. It was amazing. All hail Zach!
Zach laying down some fantastic grooves.
Adam Young’s band, The Matt Koon Foundation was a joy to watch and listed to. Just the night before, they had a
CD release party so this was a special weekend for them. I loved this band thoroughly. They played a great mix of instrumental (I love instrumental bands!) funk, fusion,
and rock. It was very creative, energetic, and tight. I hope to see them many more times and possibly jam with them.
Adam Young.
The Matt Koon Foundation.
After the previous four acts, it was show time! The highlight of the show, Nick D'Virgilio, took the stage at 7pm and needless to say, he was great. He played and soloed to many of his own original music and
previous Spock’s Beard tunes. He grooved and soloed in odd meter time signatures like nobody’s business. I loved his playing and his selection of music. Simply beautiful!
Nick D'Virgilio.
Nick D'Virgilio.
Being that Nick is a talented song writer, vocalist, and guitarist as well, he incorporated these skills into his clinic. About half way through the show, he came to the
front of the stage and played guitar (compliments of Wholesale Guitars) and sang a song. He stressed how it was important to understand melodies and learn other
melodic instruments to broaden one’s musicality.
Nick on guitar.
He took many questions and ended his clinic with a medley of classic rock, modern rock, and Spock’s Beard tunes. Again he played
impressively for a solid 20 minutes and brought down the house once again. We ended the clinic with many door prizes, photographs, and autographs.
The finale.
It was a fantastic clinic and turned out greater than we could have hoped. Nick was amazing and a great, relaxed, fun loving guy.
He’s everything you want out of a clinician. If you ever get a chance to see him perform or meet him, you should do so!
And please check out his music
at http://www.ndvmusic.com
and http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Nick_D'Virgilio.html.
"Rock Star" Nick Miller winning a door prize.
Time for autographs.
Greg Woody getting an autograph.
Kevin, winner of a Black Panther Snare Drum getting an autograph.
The Just Drums crew with Nick and Chris.
Chris, Shane, and Nick.
Of course, I couldn't have done any of this without the help of many others. A special thanks goes to Scott and Judy Milliron, Sean Combes, Chris Thomas, Midlothian High School, Powhatan High School, Neil Landini, Scott Gordon, Adam Young, Lisa and my family, Scott Wells, Ryan Taylor, Travis Snyder, Zach Faison, Wholesale Guitars, Caution Sound Company, Chris Adler, Karman Gossett, Mat Britain, Joe Hibbs, Mapex Drums, Adam Anderson, Meinl Cymbals, Aquarian drumheads, Vic Firth Sticks, our loyal customers and students, and of course, Nick D’Virgilio.
-D. Shane Fowlkes
4/29/2008
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