Welcome to Bang On Custom and Vintage Drums Monthly Blog. An opportunity for us to connect with our clientele and collectors.
Our intention will be to inform and update drummers on new arrivals, upcoming clinics, “How To” Instructional Videos, drum lessons and more.
We are excited to be part of the Golden Horseshoe Business Community and look forward to your visit.
So, how did Bang On Drum Shop get started? Shan Bricker, Owner and Drummer, began playing at age 5. Began his professional playing career at age 14 in his Parent’s Dance Band, Tapestry. Throughout his 20s, toured and recorded extensively.
That lead to many years of buying and selling drum gear. Increasing fascination with Vintage Drums (particularly North American Brands) became a sizeable collection of numerous kits, snares, cymbals and hardware. Finally, Marissa demanded her basement back and voila Bang On Custom and Vintage Drums was born.
This month, we wanted to pay tribute to Gary and Karen Tomlin. Two very dedicated players and teachers who influenced many drummers, percussionists and instructors in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Many of those musicians have gone on to greater musical heights throughout the world.
Gary began his fascination with drums at an early age growing up near Waterloo Park and hearing numerous Drum Corps, most notably Preston Scout House, rehearsing in the park. Gary loved a parade! As time progressed, Gary took up drums playing in the high school music program at KCI. By age 15 Gary’s experience had him playing professionally and touring throughout Canada with the George Kadwell Trio and the Bill Gillard Jazz Band.
As Gary’s notoriety grew as a drummer, he began playing drums with Pat Ludwig on the Elaine Cole/Betty Thomson Show on CKCO-TV. Another highlight of Gary’s performance career was when he, along with Pat Ludwig and Dave Drew, were accepted into the Oscar Peterson Advanced Contemporary School of Music studying with Oscar Peterson, Ed Thigpen and Ray Brown. Throughout the years Gary played with many bands including Johnny Kostigian’s Big Band, The Fritz-Patrick Trio, Tyroler Brass, Tapestry, New Vibes Jazz Quintet, and the John Zadro Quartet.
Gary was hired by the Waterloo Music Company as a salesman but was equally busy providing percussion clinics to high schools throughout Ontario and beyond. Gary’s experiences as a clinician for Waterloo Music opened up the door to his lifelong career as a percussion educator.
Gary began the Tomlin Studio of Percussion providing instruction to students of all ages and levels. Gary mentored a number of other teachers at the studio including Karen who would eventually become his wife. Gary’s teaching skills caught the attention of Mike Bergauer at the Waterloo Region Separate School Board who hired Gary as a percussion specialist teacher and thus began a long lasting relationship between the School Board for both Gary and Karen. Gary and Karen developed a highly regarded progressive percussion ensemble program which culminated in a command performance for Governor General Madame Sauve’ along with guests the Duke and Duchess of York.
Gary and Karen also spent time coaching and judging for the Ontario Drum Corps Association where Gary became the Chief Judge for a number of years. They taught a number of corps including Ventures, St. Johns, Kiwanis Kavaliers, and Dutch Boy Cadets. Gary went on to adjudicate throughout North America for Drum Corps International but due to family commitments, it became increasingly difficult to travel for judging. As their family expanded, Gary and Karen concentrated on family first. Continuing to teach and perform became second to spending time with family.
Sadly, we lost Gary in the spring of 2018 but his legacy lives on in many artists around the world. Here is what they have to say about their memories with the Tomlins:
Gary was my drum teacher during my teens. To those of you who know me, it is obvious to see the impact that he had on my life.
I started taking lessons in Grade 6 with Karen Tomlin, Gary’s wife (what a team!), and then I moved on to Gary and he has been a part of my life ever since. Both Karen and Gary have given me a lifelong gift that, to this day, gives me such enjoyment, and has helped me through tough times.
As I sit here in the studio trying to put these words together, I feel his presence here. I really do. Its because of this feeling I’m writing this as if Gary is still around. The essence of him still is. And he always will be for me. That has always kept me on track and has also pushed me to keep evolving. He taught me to do the best I can.
He taught me, “put the hard work into it, and you will see the rewards.”
And I have. I have.
Thank you Gary.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jeff Cowell, Drummer, TBH Band, Drum Instructor
1986 was the year I had the good fortune of meeting both Gary and Karen Tomlin. In exchange for learning music theory from Karen, she felt it reasonable compensation to be given a bottle of wine – what a deal! As for the lessons with Gary, what I remember most clearly was his gift of making students feel like they were progressing and doing well. I wanted to match his investment in me as a student by impressing him, and learning as much as I could. He had the ability to make complex learning feel easy, and his impact across the region cannot be understated. Though he is no longer with us, we carry his spirit within us and he will live on in our memory.
Thank you, Gary.
Andy Gingerich – Drummer, Mudmen
Before lessons with Gary, I had already been involved with music. However with his world of wisdom, he could see every little mistake and technical hiccup.
His lessons took me back to basics. Words that ring in my head to this day; “If you can’t do it slow, then you can’t do it fast.”
Gary was a true teacher. He prioritized this. Our entire city/province was littered with a fantastic drum community. The standard of playing drums was high because that’s what Gary demanded of his students and demonstrated to his fellow teachers. A compliment from Gary was never entitled, you had to earn it.
This teaching practice is now instilled upon me and into everything I do in life. Is what I’m doing what I mean to do? Do I need to do it better? It’s pretty amazing to hear his voice in my head when I’m learning something new. He is the voice and teacher of critical thinking and aspirations of excellence.
Jay Leonard, Drummer, Romeo Sex Fighter
“I first met Gary as a member of Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum Corps. Gary was a judge in the ODCA (Ontario Drum Corps Association) and often judged the drumline. He was very well respected within the drum corps community, was always very pleasant and gave the best critiques. As my career developed in percussion outside of drum corps, Gary’s name often came up with my connection to Waterloo Region. I was often asked “oh you must know Gary Tomlin.” One of the original members of TorQ (Christa) was a student of Gary’s and spoke very fondly of him. Gary has a profound legacy on the music scene in Waterloo, and his former students that are now working musicians exude a similar excellence in their craft.”
Richard Burrows, MusM, MA
artistic director / percussionist / educator
Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound
TorQ Percussion Quartet
When I was 10 years old, it was recommended I take drum lessons with Gary Tomlin. I never imagined how that day would define my life and career. I proceeded to take regular drum lessons from Gary and was immersed in his percussion program which included weekly rehearsals with the 9 piece drum line. I also began with the percussion ensemble program, which I loved as I learned so much about making music, writing music, performing and just getting lost in the whole drumming experience.
I spent about 6 years studying with Gary Tomlin, who sparked the fire in me and gave me the confidence in myself to even think I could pursue a career as a drummer. My passion for drumming continues to this day, where I not only still play but I have also combined my talent for being an artist with my love of drumming.
Maureen Brown- Professional Drummer
Maple Blues Award Winner
Moe’s Art
Gary and Karen Tomlin have had a profound influence on my life as a musician and a person. I was under the Tomlin School of Percussion from the age of 8 through 18.
Gary and Karen worked hard to provide so many quality opportunities for so many of their students. To this day, many of the working percussionists in the Waterloo Region, and beyond, have roots in the Tomlin world of percussion.
In my adult life, Gary became a core member of the New Vibes Jazz Quintet that recorded and played to full houses at the Jazz Room, the Registry Theatre and other local venues. With Gary on drums and me on vibraphone and congas, each rehearsal and gig was an extension of my childhood lessons, steeped in the traditions of jazz.
Gary and Karen’s multi-generational influence is deep and far reaching. I have the deepest love, respect and gratitude for Gary and Karen who together, shaped my perspective on teaching, performing and being a caring human being.
Andy MacPherson – Drummer, Percussionist
Registry Theatre
In closing, both Gary and Karen have left a lasting legacy. Karen has moved towards a different teaching career where she has retired as an elementary principal with the Waterloo Region District School Board and is now working as the Vice-Principal at Canada’s National Ballet School. She assures me she still has drumsticks and a practice pad close at hand.
Gary was a drummer with feel. That was his greatest impact on me. Yes my technical and reading know how came from Gary but, it was my moments of observing Gary’s playing that affirmed, music truly is a passion. Clearly, music continued to serve Gary well even in illness as Karen recounts a story about their travels back and forth to Hamilton for medical appointments. Immediately after surgery to remove a brain tumour, Gary lost the ability to speak. As Karen and Gary were driving to the Juravinsky Cancer Hospital in Hamilton, listening to the radio, Gary started to sing along to familiar Christmas Carols. You see, the tumour was located in the left quadrant of Gary’s brain which some believe controls the capacity for speech; however, the right quadrant of the brain (untouched by the tumour) is thought to affect creativity and music. Gary could not speak a single word but he could sing along to many tunes from their past! Much of their travel time was spent singing in the car together and sharing music as they had done for many decades. Truly the gift of music!!
Watch out for our ‘Drum Tuning” Seminar coming in early December.
Check Out our YouTube Channel for product demos and our 3 Minute Lesson Series….
https://youtube.com/@BangOnDrumShop?si=7GvgP1MYTSRQhSJu