Woodstick 2009
Sunday, November 1st 2009, Juanita Field House, Kirkland WA
By:  Tim Robinson

Woodstick, as most of you know from our previous write ups, is a massive drumming event where we try to set a world record for most drummers playing at once, but more importantly, put on to raise money for varying, worthy, causes in and around the greater Seattle area.

This event has been running since 2003 and just keeps getting better and better every year. This years artist line up included Ray Luzier, (Korn), Jason McGerr (Death Cab for Cutie), Chris Slade (AC/DC), Jeff Kathan (Paul Rodgers, Spick and the Impalers), Doug McGrew, Jon Bolton (The Beatniks), and Matt Jorgenson. All great drummers (all of who I've asked for interviews with!). We also got to jam along with Spike and the Impaler's to some classic tunes.

Last year after Woodstick we interviewed one of the primary people behind the event, Donn Bennett of Donn Bennett Drum Studio here in the Seattle area. This year I wanted to get some inside scoop from the man who originally conceived this great event and is there on the stage every year behind what is probably the best looking Sonor kit I have ever seen.

Drumrock:  What spurred the idea of organizing an event like Woodstick?

Chris Kimball: Two things: Back in 2001 my wife, Vicki, and I were looking through a Guinness Book of World Records and saw the record for the largest group of people playing drums simultaneously. We noticed it was hand drums, not full drum sets. We wondered what the record was for drum sets, so I checked and found out it was only about 130 or so. For a while I didn't think much more about it. Then, in 2003 the Tacoma Rotary #8 club to which I belonged was looking for a signature event to raise money for Rotary International's "Polio Plus" campaign--their drive to rid the world of Polio.

I suddenly remembered the Guinness record, and thought how fun (and unusual) it would be to try to break the existing Guinness record of drummers simultaneously playing drum sets, while at the same time raising money for such a worthy charity as Polio eradication.

I suggested it to the club president, and he thought for a minute, and then said, "Sounds good to me! If anyone can pull it off, you can..."

The rest, as they say, is history.

DR: You approached Donn Bennett with the initial concept of Woodstick - what was his initial reaction?

CK: When I realized to what I had just committed myself (and the Rotary Club), I knew I'd need some help. My dad, Ken, was a fairly prominent jazz pianist in the Seattle area, and he had a drummer friend he'd known for years named Kieth Purvis. Since Keith owned a drum store, my dad thought it would be a good idea to approach Keith to see if he could help.

I'll never forget what Keith said when I went to his store and told him about the drum event. "That sounds like a lot of fun, but I'm way to old to get involved with that sort of thing. You should talk to Donn Bennett out in Bellevue. He's always involved with that kind of stuff."

I had heard of Donn and his store (Donn Bennett Drum Studio), but I'm ashamed to say having at that time been drumming for 43 years, I'd still never been there! I found out where it was and paid Donn a visit. When I got there I felt like a kid in a candy store. Nothing but drums! The first thing I noticed about Donn was that he was just as much of an "A type" person as I am. When I explained the concept (which at that time was called "A Drum Set March" since the event was scheduled for March, 2003), Donn's eyes lit up like a pair of Zildjian "Brilliants." He enthusiastically volunteered not only his time, but the resources of his staff and the drum companies with which he worked. His connection with celebrity drummers and drum companies is what has allowed Woodstick to grow and flourish. Truly, if it weren't for Donn Bennett, Woodstick wouldn't be where it is today. In fact, over the last few years he has taken on the Lion's share of the preparation and work involved with what has now become an international event. It also doesn't hurt that Donn's enthusiasm is absolutely infectious. It's impossible not to get excited about Woodstick when hearing Donn describe it.

DR: What charities have been sponsored over the history of Woodstick?

CK: As mentioned earlier, the event originally was used to Benefit Rotary International's "Polio Plus" campaign. The first year, the event was held in a 15,000 square-foot airplane hangar donated for the day. The turnout ended up overflowing the hangar, with over 260 drummers spilling out into the parking lot, doubling the current world record. Seattle Symphony's Maestro Gerard Schwarz volunteered his time to direct this sea of drummers. When he arrived and first saw the spectacle, you should have seen the smile on his face! I remember observing all the strange vehicles, many with equally strange drivers, unloading all shapes and sizes of cases, crates and carpets. It reminded me of something, and then it hit me; the event would HAVE to be called "Woodstick."

The second and third years we held the event at the Tacoma Dome. These also benefited Rotary, and we broke our own record with 504 drummers. We were also able to give some of the donated drum equipment to local schools. The drum and cymbal companies have been incredibly generous, donating thousands of dollar's worth of equipment each year to help us raise money. In addition, participants are encouraged to raise money, too. The highest pledge-raisers are awarded amazing prizes.

In 2006, Rotary opted out of sponsoring the event, partially because that year we moved the festivities to the Quest Field Events Center in Seattle, and the Rotary Club was in Tacoma. The proceeds for 2006 were used to purchase drum equipment for underfunded schools, and also to help an organization called "Network Services," which assists homeless families with children to get out of homelessness, into housing and finally back into society.

Although Network Services provided some volunteer help, Rotary wasn't officially involved so the bulk of the work that year fell squarely on the shoulders of Donn and me. I remember how exhausted Donn and I were at the conclusion of Woodstick 2006. What made it worth it (besides all the fun), was the fact we again broke our own record with 533 drummers. Drummers came from all across the globe, from the Eastern United States, Japan, South America, and more. One drummer tried year after year to come from Nigeria, but his government wouldn't let him leave the Country! We even got the American Consulate and Senator Maria Cantwell involved, but to no avail. I guess the Nigerian Government knows that once someone experiences drumming in America, there's no going back! We're still keeping our fingers crossed, however.

I think that was also the year we had the Seattle Seahawks drumline involved with the event. To help publicize Woodstick, we had the opportunity to do a live demonstration during half-time of a sold-out game between the 49ers and the Seahawks. I'll never forget walking out on that field in front of 68,000 people and conducting 100 drummers with snare drums all playing "Wipe Out" accompanied by guitar and bass. Again, without Donn contacting all his drum students to help out, it wouldn't have been possible.

Since then, we have benefited the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (helping underfunded school music programs), Rotarians for Hearing Regeneration Research (a hilariously ironic cause for hundreds of loud drummers to support), and Camp Corey--a camp for very sick youth (their mission statement is, "To honor the courage, strength, and determination of children and their families who battle life-threatening and serious illnesses; and to provide them with a safe, friendly,medically sound environment in which to simply have fun and be kids. 

Over the years, I'm proud to say we've raised tens of thousands of dollars for these worthy causes.

DR: Where there other concepts that eventually led to the Woodstick idea?

CK: Only the idea I cooked up for the Rotary Fundraiser. A few years after we started Woodstick, there was a World Record attempt of guitarists playing "Louie Louie," but they never even approached the number of drummers we assembled. There's just something special about drummers. Interestingly, this summer England beat our single-location record with 588 drummers (although due to our international efforts we still hold the "total drummers drumming" record), so this thing is starting to spread even beyond our events.

DR: When you walk around the event each year, seeing all the kits and drummers of all ages, what thoughts run through your head?

CK: How do you describe 100 different emotions all happening at once? I feel thrilled that a simple (if a bit weird) idea I had has grown to an international event (11 cities this year from Florida to Toronto all hooked up via web cam). I feel humbled that it's been able to help so many great charities. I'm even more humbled that so many wonderful people have done so much for the event. I'm excited to meet and interact with some of the finest drummers in the world--the celebrity drummers that, every year, donate their time to come to Woodstick. I'm also absolutely thrilled just to be there. It's also cool to see my sons, David and Donald, out there playin' with the best of them. They've played at every one of these things. When we started, they were 8 and 10. To give you an idea of how time flies, David just bought his first car...

People come to Woodstick with every kind of drum set imaginable, from every musical background imaginable and looking like anything imaginable, but they all have one thing in common at Woodstick--smiles. It is an unbelievable experience you have to see--and hear-- to believe.

DR: Any new ideas for next years event you can or want to share?

CK: Each year Donn and I wonder if it will be the last for Woodstick--it is so much work! But inevitably, someone will approach us and say something like, "Woodstick is the greatest thing ever! I can't wait to see you again next year." It makes us realize that in some ways, for some people, Woodstick is a life-changing event. When considering that, it becomes very hard to think of letting it end. Speaking of life-changing, it was estimated that our work with Rotary resulted in the inoculation of somewhere North of 250,000 children overseas. That means those children will never get Polio. That's stunning, and that's humbling.

DR: Anything you'd like to say in relation to the causes that are supported by the event?

CK:  Donn and I often have slightly different preferences when it comes to the charities we support. That's why many times we'll split the net proceeds between two charities, although this year Donn suggested both. One of the things we look for is a group that is not only a great organization, but is also willing and able to provide volunteers for the event. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of people to coordinate something this involved. This year, the Camp Corey folks did a great job coming up with helpers. Krys, from Juanita High School, home of the Juanita Field House where we held Woodstick 2009, also marshaled a bunch of students to assist us. Without coordination, that many volunteers would be like trying to herd cats, but fortunately we have a wonderful woman to organize the volunteers. Her name is Lori, and she is one of those "Woodstick Veterans" who's been involved for so many years she knows exactly what to do. We're also fortunate that radio and television celebrity, Pat Cashman, has been kind enough to be our emcee for many Woodsticks (including the very first one).

As I mentioned earlier, Donn has ended up doing more and more work each year. I'm still quite involved, for instance I get to write the drum music for the record-breaking song each year, work on the agenda and help with publicity, but I told Donn, no matter what, I really only want two things. First, I would like to continue to have my drums on stage with the celebrities (despite the fact my playing might not warrant such a lofty position!), and second, I'd just like credit for starting the whole thing!

DR: Thanks Chris! Appreciate the time!

CK: My Pleasure!

I have to thank Chris again and Donn as well for giving our small site media credentials. This year was just as fun as any other and I am really looking forward to next years event.