19th Chicago Drum Show on May 16 and 17, 2009

The (19th Annual) Chicago Drum Show, the world’s largest and longest-running event of it’s type, will take place on May 16 and 17, 2009 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St Charles, Illinois, 35 miles west of downtown Chicago. This time in a new building offering more exhibit space. A world-class clinician roster has been assembled for the 2009 Chicago Drum Show. MC Gregg Potter will be presenting: Solo marimbist Jane Boxall, funkmaster/educator Zoro, show fixture Donny Osborne, Bermuda Schwartz (Weird Al), Will Calhoun (Living Colour), and the legendary Danny Seraphine. Seraphine, currently with the band CTA, was the original drummer with the band Chicago– this appearance marks a homecoming for the rock-jazz giant.

W.S. “Fluke” Holland will be attending the show as well as participating in a special interview presentation. He will be bringing some of the vintage drums he made music history with. Fluke was “there when it happened” at Memphis’ Sun Recording Studio, laying down his unique style of drumming on such international and timeless hits as Blue Suede Shoes, Matchbox, Honey Don’t and other Carl Perkins recordings. He toured with other trailblazing artists like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison. Having the distinction of being the first musician to play a full set of drums on the stage of the world famous Grand Ole Opry and the only drummer Johnny Cash ever had, are but two of the accomplishments of Fluke Holland over his 50+ year career. The Master Class program introduced in 2008 will be expanded, with Master Classes presented by clinicians Will Calhoun, Zoro, Donny Osborne, and Danny Seraphine. Additionally, Jerome Deupree will present his “KickSnareHat” program in Master Class format and the GhostNote Forum folks are presenting a snare drum building Master Class. Master Class sponsors include DW and Prentice Practice Pads. A new building has been constructed just a few yards from the building the show has been in the last few years. Exhibit space has been doubled. The new exhibition hall will include a Clearsonic Isopac acoustic isolation booth, allowing show attendees to audtiion drums and cymbals away from the exhibit area ambient noise.