Tommy Thomas - Gretsch Drums - Discount Music - Drivers License Denied - Go Karts - 211 E Amelia - 1967 Volvo 122S

1973 - 1974

318### Tommy Thomas Vibraphone 38 Words 1973/ I took my newly acquired vibraphone to Clearwater and started scratching about. It had a rugged collapsible wood frame with good bars. The electric motor operated with a switch and clear tube with liquid mercury inside. The liquid mercury would connect metal electrodes to activate the vibrato.

Tommy Thomas had given me many of his percussion books. I remember Phil Kraus mallet books and others. Tommy’s subliminal encouragement to get me on the path to become a percussionist, not just a drummer was in effect. I also had his brown Tommy Thomas Percussion Library envelope full of sheets. I value one of those sheets as a very special creation by Tommy. The title of Tommy’s sheet is “If you want to become a excellent drummer, acquire the following way of thinking” It’s a complete list of 38 words. A few of those words include: Spirit, Happiness, Confidence, Interpretation, Imagination, Ear Training, Music History, Ambidextrous, believe in Jesus Christ.

‘I had checked off a few of those words in 1973’

In 2024, I continue my effort to follow Tommy’s instructions. My spiritual adjustment in the world wasn’t my only battle. My newly purchased Gretsch drumset was tonally fantastic after unboxing and playing improvised solos, channeling Tony and Elvin. Top-40 music was different. Getting a sound for the commercial Top 40 music I was playing created a problem.

319### That Great Gretsch Sound – 1973/ In 2024, it’s still a common phase for drummers to buy a hero drumset and start the process of imitation. That Great Gretsch Sound unfortunately didn’t work for me in 1973, playing Top 40 music. My basic Rogers bass drum without a front head, ride cymbal, high hat and the rest, was a sound my bosses, bandleaders liked. I sounded good. That sound was recognizable. Though I had zero technique I was a strong backbeat groove player up to that point in time.

It’s rare when drummers choose to imitate Ringo or Charlie, proven solid timekeepers. Most are sucked into the speed and chops arena.

Exceptions are Jim Keltner, Levon Helm, Hal Blaine and Steve Jordan. I question my abandonment to improve my 4/4 playing. Grooves can always be deeper. I could not find The Great Gretsch Sound to play with Donnie Gregory. I tried every drumhead and tuning possible with those Gretsch drums, nothing was comfortable.

I eventually bought a second cheap import drumset from Jack Pitts at McKinney Music.

They sounded much better for the gig. My knowledge of Charlie Watts was not up to par or I could have pulled my bass drums front head off and added a couple Remo Black Dots. Add a nice flat ride and cheap china. When the Clearwater, Saint Petersburg, Tampa gigs all folded up, I headed back to Geneva, Orlando, Central Florida.

That was the last time I worked with Donnie Gregory. He came into Dexters, a little wine cheese, restaurant I was playing in 1992. It was ‘The 3 Mikes’ a very progressive guitar synthesizer, bass and drum trio. Donnie was playing a solo gig in town. We had a pleasant conversation about the past. He was serious when he asked me if I could still play backbeat music.

320### You’re Busted – The DMV – 1973/ I received a letter that my driver’s license had been suspended for one year. My ‘On The Road’ trips in my 1967 Volvo 122S included several speeding violations.

#54 $$$ Gig - 1974 - Day Gig Discount Music Center Orlando, FL/ Without a backup plan for catastrophe I applied for a day gig at Discount Music Center, 456 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida. They needed a drum guy. I was hired. It was a blessing to fulfill my time in need. The owner and manager were Christian friends I knew from my purchases at the store.

Tommy Thomas was teaching drum lessons there. Since 1967, I never had a day gig.

I thought it was demeaning. Real musicians didn’t have day gigs. They played their instruments. That winter of 1974, I started working 9 to 5, punching a time clock. I had a social security card from 1966. I worked the Springfield, Ohio - 1966 car wash gig after becoming a high school dropout.

321### Downtown Office – Bad Real Estate Deal #2/ Needing a place to play my drums and live, I rented a small office in downtown Orlando. It was a very cool building. I could play there and walk to my Discount Music day gig a few blocks away. I had a bicycle I rode to the YMCA to shower. I had most of my gear in that room. Tympani, drum-sets, keyboards, amplifiers, speakers and the Arp 2600 Synthesizer I’d recently purchased. I soon found my great apartment a few blocks away on Amelia Street. The office building was for sale at the time. Asking price was $75K. Today it’s worth 2 Million. “I Just Wanted To Play The Drums”

322### 311 E Amelia Orlando, Florida/ Working my Discount Music gig, I found a fantastic garage apartment within walking distance, three blocks from the Store. It was $80 a month. The owner lady was elderly when I moved in. She was great. She lived in the historical Florida blockhouse. I lived in the 2-story garage apartment. There was a narrow driveway for me to park my Volvo 122S.

Because I still didn’t have my license, I parked the Volvo in the garage, under my apartment.

The apartment had a bedroom, kitchen, screened porch and 2 bathrooms. One had a tub. The other had a shower. When the place was built it may have been divided as 2 tiny spaces. I loved that place and lived there from 1974 till 1981. I attended, graduated from Seminole Community College and authored my Quadragrip book while residing there.

I eventually turned my downstairs into a practice space. “Zac The Dog” resided there on and off. He did not like the mailman. Zac went crazy each day the mailman walked up my driveway to put mail in my box.

323### You’re Fired – 1974/ I got off to a slow start at my music store “job” I was told it wasn’t working out. I was professionally and politely “Fired” after 2 weeks. I really needed that gig and convinced them I could adapt if given a second chance, which they agreed to. I adapted and became good at my position. The store expanded and I became the drum department manager. Discount Music Center and Discount Drum World were very successful for many years.

324### Go-Karts/ With the money I was making and saving, I bought a racing go-kart. While working my Drum World gig a Walt Disney World Stage Manager, drummer came into the drum shop.

We got into conversation about racing. Because I didn’t have a driver’s license he became my mechanic and chauffer. I raced at Daytona Speedway and other tracks around Florida. I was fast and won several races and trophies.

325### License Denied DMV/ During my drivers license suspension I applied for a hardship option. It would allow me to drive for work travel only. During my interview with the DMV officer we discussed my driving habits.

It was probably not a good idea to tell him about my current pastime as a racing driver. I was denied the hardship option. My Volvo 122S continued to sit for 12 months in my garage. I walked and rode my bike as transportation.