Each year, the national Guitar Center chain sponsors a nationwide drum-off, searching for presumably the best drummer in the country. The winner wins cash, a lot of new drum equipment, and a considerable amount of fame and probably endorsements as well. With its legacy of soul, funk and gospel music, the city of Memphis has consistently produced some of the best drummers in the country. On Tuesday, September 20, 2016, several young Memphis drummers competed in the preliminary rounds of the local competition, seeking the right to represent Memphis at the Southeast regionals. I was particularly impressed with both Jonathan Chaffen and Desmond Harris this year, and enjoyed the competition even more since the rules were changed to ban octapads, triggers and loops, which had become intrusive in recent years. This year, drummers had to show their skill on the traditional acoustic drum set alone, and Memphis drummers definitely rose to the occasion.
Duwayne Burnside in Oxford at Rooster’s Blues House
https://goo.gl/photos/f3dAfDzaBmBAePXc9 https://goo.gl/photos/XQzUNF1qT1rdosS66 https://goo.gl/photos/DFq3G15mN2PuRSUXA https://goo.gl/photos/WwhhyMdA4p1K8dFv6 https://goo.gl/photos/BCvudRRHsn8cpd387 https://goo.gl/photos/Qm1Bh8NbHeQrZWHXA https://goo.gl/photos/L7dcmaSN1oSZ8Ynq6 https://goo.gl/photos/7weKTnkMc8hxohVX7 https://goo.gl/photos/HF5Wd4PGX1CAjcAC7 https://goo.gl/photos/UJBNaX5iMd9uC3zi8 https://goo.gl/photos/Dxmq8BwS2M3MaGQo8 Even though I love the blues, and even though I have been to Oxford …