It was September 7th, a beautiful  hot & sunny day. I got to Guitar Center in Hollywood, about noon. We had many volunteers so we assigned jobs to everyone and took off. Our biggest scare was not being able to get into the Guitar Center's power supply. One of our saviors of the day was Rich Bartle who provided the sound, stage, and GENERATOR! Rich moved mountains all day, and I am extremely beholding to him.

        The first band was Peter Erskine's trio, with Peter playing a tiny cocktail kit. They sounded fantastic, as they did at the Armand Hammer museum in Westwood a month or two earlier this year. Next, Peter played with Steve Smith ,a duet of percussion conversations. Steve then played by himself, first swinging his brains out on an old vintage Gretsch kit, then moving to his bigger Sonor kit, pretty much playing the entire encyclopedia of drums, truly inspiring to us all.         (I have to save some good adjectives, as I have a lot more people to tell you about, like TERRY BOZZIO!!!!)

Next came the Mustard Seeds , Gregg Bissonette's brother Matt's band. They played new material from their latest cd, and definitely woke up the crowd. I love their music and they're all great players. Then came Myron Grombacher and Gregg Bissonette. They played a greuling duet flawlessly. From flying double bass to open time bending, they tore it up! (I played this duet with them a few years ago at Dean Zimmers benefit and its not an easy task).



At this point it was time for "The Mark's Brothers", yes it was my turn to try to play! The night before I decided to try it again in my garage. Two nights before I didn't feel like I should, but lo and behold I could at least keep a beat. Playing with me were Alex Ligertwood on vocals, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Mike Miller on guitar, Michael Fisher on percussion and Vince DeCola on keys, (Richard Baker was to play keys also but we couldn't get his gear running!)  Not a bad combo eh? And me on D.W. drums that D.W. DONATED, and we raffled them off.....The lucky winner?  My friend Ronnie Guitierrez, yet another great player. Doane Perry, my dear friend, sat in on one tune with us. Doane and I are speaking now, even though I stole his Jean- Luc Ponty gig and he stole my Jethro Tull gig.



After sounding a bit "human" we turned the stage over to Dave Garfield & Friends, John Pena on bass, Walfredo Reyes on drums, Ralph Humphrey on drums, and the mighty Garfield on keys. They don't come any better than these guys and they threw down!



        Here,  Mike Keneally& Beer For Dolphins showed us how to tap our feet polyrythmically, crazy stuff. I met Mike when I recorded with D'weezil Zappa.  Mike kept the time together while the rest of us copped the riffs. He's truly an amazing guitarist, & keys, & drums, & probably mutual funds as well! Mike is all over "Zappa's Universe", a posthumous video (Grammy winner) tribute to Frank.

In between bands we had a lineup of hosts. Peter Aykroyd,  was cracking us all up, raffling off "Adolph Hitler" signature sticks. Mike Piazza (former Dodger, now Met) also helped out and seemed to really be enjoying himself, being a drummer too. Carmine Appice gave away a Mapex kit to a young boy who begged his mother to stay for the drawing. When his number was called he shot straight up in the air, very cool!

LA legendary DJ. Joe Benson also helped out, just as he did ten years ago at our first benefit. Chad Smith, Ron Wikso, Myron, Gregg, Doane, Jay Rubin, Cheese, Jeff Ocheltree, & many more REALLY helped out.



        Enter the inimitable Eric Burdon, what can I say? These guys are my brothers,I had been playing with them for about 3 years until I had to pull over and wait for this double transplant.



Who took my place?  None other than Aynsley Dunbar! The great Aynsley Dunbar, who played a solo with a vengance. We  recently welcomed Aynsley to our "friendly club", as he has now moved to L.A.  It was so fun to see & hear that band again!

        To finish us all off, next came TERRY. Scott Garrison (of DW) brought Terry's kit out, along with the kit we gave away. John Good & all at D.W. WERE TRULY FANTASTIC in the help and soul departments.

As the sun was sinking, Myron had the foresight to have some spotlights set up. Most of us stayed onstage when Terry started. After giving away two kits, I guess we were in the mood to hear someone play drums like NO ONE ELSE CAN! 

Terry had his new Sabian cymbals, all pitched just right, so his melodies jumped out as well as his gymnastics. The thing he did with his feet, 2/16s with one &3/16s with the other was the pinnacle while soloing on top.

What a finish to a wonderful day.



Mark says "Thanks!"

        A special vote of thanks goes to my friend Bill Forth, who really put the whole thing together, as well as co-produced our CD with myself and Doane Perry. We couldn't have done it without Bill, no doubt about it. (And there are also a few people we couldn't have done it WITH if the truth be known.)  

So after a great Italian meal with Gregg, Myron, Terry, John Good, Scott Garrison, Aynsley, Steve, Doane, Janet, my cousin Steve, and other friends, I came home to my loyal hound Sandy. I felt so fortunate to have had a day like the one we just had. So much love and friendship and willingness. From the stage crew and the ticket takers,  to the  t-shirt & CD sellers...Thanks!  (Mark Perry). Thanks also to The Guitar Center and so many others that really pitched in. Cynthia Semone, Joey Kristin, Barry Schneider, Dean........ ALL OF YOU!!!! My point isyou all were there for me, and I love you for it. But also, I was able to allow it to happen to myself, and simply feel LOVED! That's it kids........

You all know how I feel
I'm very blessed
Life is a celebration
Thank you all
Expect good things
Make the Connection

Cheers,  Mark

 

MARK CRANEY & FRIENDS
A Day of Drums, Pt. II
 

Companies donating equipment to the event:

Drum Workshop, Inc.
Mapex
Premier
Yamaha
Tama
Remo
Latin Percussion
Zildjian Co.
Paiste
Sabian
Pork Pie Percussion
Pro Mark
Porcaro Covers
Los Angeles Music Academy
Modern Drummer Magazine
 

Hosted by:      Peter Aykroyd
                        Joe Benson
                        Chad Smith
                        Jon Lindstrom
                        Mike Piazza
                        Carmine Appice