#386 The Beat Goes On

Things happen in our lives that make us stop and take a look at ourselves.  It’s good to periodically reflect on how you live your life and how things affect you.  But the time comes to leave the past in the past and move on.

I was reminded of this last Friday night.  Last week while listening to The Bob & Tom Show they interviewed Kenny Aronoff.  At that time the only thing I knew about Kenny was that he was the drummer for John Mellencamp (was, he’s not anymore) and he plays drums on the Kennedy Center Honors, of which I watch every year.  Other than that, I knew nothing else about him.  He was a good interview and then mentioned he would be speaking/performing at Butler University Friday.  I looked it up online and saw that it was free.  What?! 

I immediately IM’d my musical friend Heidi and asked if she wanted to go.  She and her friend were already going, so I joined them.  We arrived an hour early and got great seats at the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts.  Q95’s Laura Steele began his introduction promptly at 7:30 p.m.  We then heard the intro to Jack and Diane while looking at the stage curtains.  It probably lasted a minute when the curtains parted and Kenny was playing on a drum set.  So cool! 

The evening was a mix of him telling stories about how he got where he is today, and then stopping to drum to songs he’s been a part of.  From Mellencamp to Belinda Carlisle to Meatloaf.  He’s a jack-of-all-trades, performing as a session drummer and touring with various bands.  This summer he toured with the BoDeans and John Fogerty. 

He’s 61 but looks and acts much younger.  He’s got tons of energy and is in really good shape.  Anyone who drums that much has got to have some guns, but he also talked about staying healthy and staying relevant in today’s times. 

He is billed as the hardest working drummer in the music business and after listening to him speak, I believe it.  He spoke about the setbacks he’s had in his career and how he learned how to re-invent himself and make himself into a highly sought after drummer.  Hard work, passion, enthusiasm. Make a plan and carry it out.  Simple things we all know about.  Much harder to actually put them into practice. 

Talk about working hard, the evening lasted until a little after 10 p.m.  And after the “show”, he changed and came out to sign autographs.  He was so nice and gracious, and so cute.  He resembles Stanley Tucci a bit.  Midway through the night he shed his signature sunglasses and they were still off when he met with all of us.  He shook everyone’s hand and asked them their name.  He posed for photos.  They even gave away t-shirts!  I love the back.  

We even got a pic with the lovely Laura Steele from Q95.  It was a really fun, inspirational night! 

A little blurry - but still pretty good!

Three rockin' chicks!

Yes, things happen in life that might make you stumble and take a different path.  But you get up, dust yourself off, and start on the new path.  And the beat goes on.