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| Darryl Bonebrake (right), General Manager of Ressurection Drums in Hollywood and percussionist for ‘Band No. 12’ with store owner Jeffrey Lee who is bringing legendary drummer Dave Weckl to Hollywood Playhouse for a drum clinic on Sept. 23 while drumming up big plans for a nationwide event in November. |
Resurrection Drums is a business in Hollywood that marches to its own beat.
The city’s only music store is also the largest drums-only shop east of the Mississippi, staffed entirely by dedicated professional percussionists, and a veritable haven for drummers from throughout South Florida and beyond. At any given time, a customer will walk in off the street, sit down and start jamming on the drums.
"It’s just like a club," said owner Jeffrey Lee, who played drums professionally for 25 years.
Customers’ passion for percussion is one that is shared by Lee and his knowledgeable and experienced staff, many of whom have gone on to make their mark on the music industry as professional performers.
Resurrection Drums’ solid reputation and popularity with the drumming community long precedes its move from Hallandale Beach, the store’s home since 1983, to Hollywood in February 2007. From its humble beginnings 25 years ago in a small warehouse in Fort Lauderdale, where old beat-up instruments would be almost magically "resurrected," Resurrection Drums has grown into a world-class drum shop that offers the best in new, used, vintage and custom drums.
Lee was a loyal customer for many years when he played professionally. "I would only buy my drum gear from Resurrection Drums," he said.
Lee liked the company so much that he bought it 10 years ago. Since then, Resurrection Drums has only strengthened its commitment to both the drumming population and the community at large, with an emphasis on service, selection and music education. The company was recognized for its outstanding customer service with a prestigious 2005 REX Award from Music Inc. magazine, and is one of only 38 independent drum stores across the country to boast membership in the elite Five-Star Drum Shops network.
Resurrection Drums supplies area schools and colleges with their percussion instruments and offers a "parent-protection plan" to help students either sell back their gear or upgrade it. Resurrection provides repair, restoration and recovery services, and even sells its own brand of custom drums. The impressive array of instruments also includes major lines and products from smaller boutique companies.
In addition, Resurrection offers in-store private lessons, participated in Career Day at Hollywood Central Elementary last April and conducts drum clinics at local schools, as well as at the Hollywood Playhouse on Washington Street, where upcoming guest artists include legendary drummer Dave Weckl on Sept. 23.
"Having the clinics in Hollywood is so great. It’s a beautiful thing, to bring music and education into the community," said Lee.
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Steve Smith, former drummer for Journey at a drum clinic held June 9 at the Hollywood Playhouse. Over the past 20+ years, Smith has played on many hits with such diverse artists as Mariah Carey, Bryan Adams, Zucchero, Andrea Bocelli, Ray Price and Savage Garden.
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The clinics attract percussion enthusiasts of all ages and experience, from seasoned drummers to novices, giving them a unique opportunity to watch and learn from the pros. Rock legends that Resurrection has featured since relocating to Hollywood include Jojo Mayer, Giovanni Hidalgo, Thomas Lang, Sonny Emory, and Cindy Blackman. A recent clinic with Journey drummer Steve Smith drew a standing-room-only crowd.
"It’s a chance for people to see rock-and-roll legends up close, to listen to them and to get motivated about music," Lee said. "They get to see what a career in music is like and ask questions. It’s inspiring, especially for the kids."
Another inspiring event – and one that Lee and other organizers hope will make history in the Guinness World Records – is being planned for Nov. 2. The Five-Star 1st Annual Big Beat is envisioned as a mega "drumathon" that will take place simultaneously in nine U.S. cities and Toronto to benefit music education in local schools.
Lee said members of the Five Star group came up with the idea as a way to channel their frustration over budget cuts affecting music programs into something positive. Monies raised will help purchase instruments for schools in South Florida and other event locations.
Interest already is growing in the drumming community, with famous musicians expected to participate in the Big Beat event, and Ringo Starr has agreed to donate a signed Beatles-logo drumhead for a national raffle.
Lee said it will be the largest drumming event in history and, eventually, "We’re hoping to have it become ‘Drums Across the World.’"
Despite any national attention from record-breaking events or retail industry awards, the focus at Resurrection Drums remains passionately on the local community.
"It was important for me to move to Hollywood," Lee said. "Hollywood has always supported live music, more than any city in South Florida. Live music and music education are vitally important. That’s what we believe at Resurrection."
Resurrection Drums is open daily at 1323 S. 30th Ave. in Hollywood. For more information, call 954-926-0204 or visit www.rezdrums.com.
