In fact, I think, while Kansas has never been a
huge top ten hits kind of band, they have always been a band with
talented musicians. Phil and the guys still play with the same drive
and heart that he did when he was 25. The only difference is that
now when we connect, we never talk about drums and bands anymore.
Our breakfast or dinner conversations nowadays center around blood
pressure, cholesterol, and his kids. We pass on the bacon and eggs,
for oatmeal and fruit. Gee, I wonder if prunes are next? Phil, Kerry
Livgren and Dave Hope led me to Christ, and made sure that my name
was always placed on the albums and recognition was given to me.
He is another classy person that God brought to be a friend for
life. He’s a great drummer, husband, father, and Christian
man.
I have a million stories. Maybe I’ll write
again sometime, but mostly I wanted to write what was on my mind
and heart. Who can explain how and why things happen. I can’t
say I did anything but live my life. I would have been happy just
to see Buddy play once. I never dreamed that I meet him, talk with
him much less build drums for him, and I never thought Id see my
name on albums that would go gold and platinum.
If the world of percussion was a university, at
Slingerland, we always thought of ourselves as “Delta House”,
the guys that the percussion world would love to put on "double
secret probation". We weren’t about percussion ensembles,
patches on the elbows of our corduroy jackets, or trying to make
building a snare drum as complicated as “rocket science”.
We had a small roster of great drummers that would talk and be nice
to fans. We were a bunch of people that loved drums. We were having
fun and always experimenting within limited budgets and conditions.
When it was over in Niles, I felt bad for the people,
and felt that it was like tearing down Yankee Stadium. It didn’t
have to end. It was a special place for those that love drums and
those that worked there. I drive past there occasionally and remember
the famous players that walked through those doors. The list is
huge.
So now maybe you can understand why it was special
for me and why it was better for me to leave it alone and move to
the next adventure in my life.
I believe that everyone can and will experience
special people, places, and events. When you do, and you are in
that special corridor of time, savor the moment and the people.
Enjoy and appreciate every little thing that comes from it. Be open,
focus, and continue to dream. Just remember that a little prayer
every once in a while may not hurt either.
Rick
P.
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