STEWART COPELAND

Stewart,
I thought this might be the best way to get this message to you and I hope it doesn't come across as incincere or trite.

I've played drums for about 25+ years now and always counted you as a major influence. Now I mean this in the purist sense of the word. I don't copy your style and my drums were never set up quite like yours...about the closest I came was the fact that I coincidentily played Tama Drums and Paiste Cymbals (Purely because I felt they were the best)

I sold my kit when I joined the Coast Guard in 1988 and haven't actually owned my own since (there always seemed to be one available when I needed it.) I always took it for granted that I could get back nto playing regularly anytime I wanted.

Then I injured my back in 2000. In 2005 I finally had to go forward with surgery. Unfortunatley it was more complicated than expected. I ended up with nerve damage and haven't been able to work since then. I sadly accepted that I'd likely never play the drums again.

My doctors have tried everything, including a spinal chord implant to send electrical impulses up my spine in an attempt to stop the pain signals...nothing has worked.

Then I saw you on the Grammy's..watched the Tivo'd opening over and over. The fact that the impossible had happened my favorite band had reunited!

I stopped feeling sorry for myself and became determined to play again. The pain's still there and likely always will, but I'm not going to let that stop me! I've purchased my first set of sticks and practice pad in years and use them daily and am already shopping for a new Tama set (boy Cymbals have really gone up in price since I last bought them!

We were able to see you at both the Fan Club and Opening night shows up in Vancouver and look forward to seeing you again tonight and tomorrow in Seattle!

So, this may not be the "thank you" you're used to getting but it is very heart felt.

Now THAT is a tale. Thanks for sharing that, hon...

Go for it Bat !!!

The mind can do amazing things if you are inspired enough. Sometimes it might get you down but like you said, watch the Grammy's and presto! motivated again.

You can do it, slow but sure. The longest journey starts with little steps.

We drummers (Copeland fans) here stick together.

Let us know how you are doing.
Cheers.

Since I hang out here I start to like drummers better - being a wanna-be-bassplayer myself!
And batitude - go for it! I guess it is better to feel pain and feel alive then to just feel numb and only dream of stuff you love.

[quote="batitude"]I ended up with nerve damage and haven't been able to work since then. I sadly accepted that I'd likely never play the drums again.

Holy crap; that is one hell of a story batitude! I have nerve damage all over my left arm from a car wreck nearly 10 years ago. It is nothing like your situation but I can relate to your frustration. The very little I know about peripheral nerve regeneration is that it grows about 2.5cm in a year or so and makes any progress seem, well....glacial.
I had little or no movement from just below my shoulder to the end of my fingers and perpetualy cold/numb areas that are only now just showing signs of sensation. I'm a south paw too so at the beginning I was writing with my right hand with a resulting illegible mess.
Now after a short 30 minute practice session it hurts like all hell but at least the pain is real and not a phantom sensation.
Best of luck with your recovery and yes, cymbals and just about everything drum related costs a bloody fortune. That's why I switched off of Paiste products for Zildjian and Sabian cymbals.

Rock on, batitude!

And phaty, this:

[quote="phaty"] it is better to feel pain and feel alive then to just feel numb and only dream of stuff you love.[/quote]

That's beautiful, man.

Cheers, batitude, great post...keep on rocking, as you can, which is all anyone can really ask for...I sure hope you have the rockinest time in Seattle tonight; a lot of us will be there with you in spirit! If you so feel inclined, let us know how your night goes!!

Tama is popular around here, so is Paiste (they are worth it) and you're in good company...this Lesson 25 is for you: llR L R rrl R L

rrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrl!

[quote="Spec A!"]rrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrlrrLrlrllRlrl![/quote]

Now Spec, Let's get those two hands at the same height and quality of sound! (unless the caps are actually accents) jk

Hahaha and I get to meet both you characters <cheers!> See, Batitude, drum geeks can feel way at home here <grin>

Wow batitude what an inspiration!!!

quote="phaty"] it is better to feel pain and feel alive then to just feel numb and only dream of stuff you love.[/quote]
I couldn't of said it better myself

batitude your story is very emotive.

I hope you the best in your return to drumming!