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Gary Schooley: Publisher & Editor of Future-Link - Amateur hand drummer & re-educating my long lost electric bass playing skills. - Paraplegic

The Past: My claim to fame as a musician Paraplegic was a three year stint as a drummer with the Mad Dog Drummers of Mu, (dis-banded over ten years ago) We were a 16 to 21 person percussion orchestra led by Fulbright Award winning Tabla Drummer Daniel Paul, graduate of the Ali Akbar College of Music.

I played metal and ceramic Doumbeks and fame drums. The music genre: East Indian compositions, both traditional and original, using Persian/Mid-East notation and drumming techniques. Drumming rehearsals & classes two days a week for almost three years were a blessing for me. The pulse and beat slipped into my body, and in some ways made up for not being able to feel 50% of it! When drumming, there is feeling deeper than skin deep. The performances were so charged, that even when down with bladder infections I showed up and did my part.

Before becoming a Paraplegic I played bass guitar with a half dozen rock bands in the San Francisco area in the late 60's early 70's. I sold it all just before becoming a paraplegic - and didn’t pick up a bass again for 20 years - and went 'back to the land' with some great folks on 50 acres plus several hundred BLM acres behind our 50 in North Eastern Washington State. The years passed as they do... Now: The bass has returned & I play at home refreshing my memory. 

The Mad Dog Drummers of Mu circa 1992

Me: lower right corner; that was then...

Now & The Future Now, February 2008 Things change we change our dreams our intentions plans ideas all change and more change is in the wind.

Now I'd call myself a hobbyist leaning towards being a half ways proficient bass player. I have a Fender American Standard Jazz bass (Special edition, Maple neck and blonde Ash body) a Fender Aerodyne Jazz  bass and recently I bought a 4003 Rickenbacker Bass, something I always wanted, but always thought that I couldn't afford, but when I found a new black one at a wildly discounted  price at a local music store I had to buy it and I love it.

Setup:

The Future raises it's mystical/mythical head again! - My wish list:

I've been playing the bass for at least five hours a week, not enough, but enough to bring good feelings into my mind soul and body. I'm leaving out the physical conditions of my body after 30 years in the chair but you have to dig how tiring it gets; keeps me from going at these endeavors with gusto...

...this is now; Hair B Gone 

Most of my hand drum collection has been sold, kept two favorite drums that I get into playing for maybe an hour a week keeps me connected.  So, the beat goes on; the years pass, and as long as the heart beats I'll try to drum; drumming releases stress, keeps the internal fire going, has me smiling, and keeps me in balance.