Stories from the road...

I travel a LOT and see a lot of interesting things around the world. This section is where I can share some of those experiences with you.

Hi there,
Hope everyone is doing well. Thought I'd write a little about what's been going on.

After a year of teaching and playing with many different artists I'm now sessioning once again for a young talented Orange County artist. We started work on his album a few weeks ago and I'm due to supply more drums later in the month. It's a very interesting project and inspiring to be working with such an original new young songwriter, liking a cross between Pink Floyd and Radiohead.
Another talented singer/songwriter who I've been having great pleasure in co-producing as well as drumming is Tom Ricci.(tomricci.net)
Earlier in the year I was playing in LA with Miss Julie Neumark (Myspace/Julie Neumark) and her band. Julie has an album out and promoting it with band gigs and solo slots throughout the United States. We played West Hollywood's infamous Troubadour club alongside a few other LA clubs. There was also a festival date out near the Joshua Tree desert in Palm Springs. That too was a lot of fun!

Earlier in May my great friends at Zildjian Cymbals (who are the cymbal experts of the world) in LA invited me and the rest of the West Coast endorsers to a centre stage in Burbank, where the people from the East Coast who produce the cymbals were exhibiting their new wares and testing them with all of the invited drummers. Drummers - you would have been in seventh heaven, believe me! A whole new line of new unannounced Zildjian's were there for inspection by the professionals before they get anywhere near the stores.
I made many new drummer friends that day, one being Stanley Randolph. Stanley's a beautiful person and very passionate about drums and cymbals. We were talking for quite some time before he told me he was drumming with no other than Stevie Wonder. I thought he'd landed the best gig in the world! To play those timeless classics with the original artist. Crazy!! Stevie Wonder is an amazing drummer too. Stanley and Stevie do a drum duet during the live show. Check them out if you get the chance!

Chuck Silverman (chucksilverman.com) another friend and confidant is one of LA's great teachers. A leading Latin/Cuban drum educator - and a very funny man indeed!
Ok so I'm name dropping, but while we're at it there was a group photo shoot taken with illustrious illuminaries such as Sheila E, Peter Escovedo, Denny Seiwell(Wings) Smitty(Jay Leno) Myron Grombacher, Jim Keltner, John Tempesta, Danny Seraphine, Kirk Covington, Joe La Barbera and of course myself to name a just few. I was in good company and all part of the close Zildjian family.

My drum teaching and coaching is becoming busier than ever, from teaching beginners to coaching many working drummers.
Finding my way as a an educator has really been a testing and rewarding experience. Concentrating on drum mechanics is something I 'd been promising myself for quite awhile. But for busy touring and session work was very hard to achieve.

As well as teaching I offer learning insights into the music industry/ ie, record companies, music publishing, how to join/form a band, recording, production, music management, how to audition and the psychology attached to being a performer.
After many years of being a signed artist with record companies such as RCA, EMI, BMG, Polydor, IRS, Sony, Phonogram, Anchor, Southern Music, Warner Chappell, A&M as well as the many smaller independents. It seemed like good sense to use this experience to offer expertise for others making roads into the industry.

Thanks to everyone for checking in the guestbook every so often.
It seems to have turned into a kind of 'Friends Reunited ' sort of thing at times, hearing from people I haven't heard from in quite sometime. (to say the least)

Ok, au revoir mon amis.
(That's a 'Whats up" to all my buddies!)

Ray

Hi Everyone,
With many events this year it's been hard for me to concentrate on the story section, but here I am again!

Incredible to think that Octobers flying in already.
Yet looking back it's been a long and very eventful year.

Performance wise I've been playing shows with many different bands and artists losing track at times.
I played a stint in Palm Springs earlier in the year with Melissa Totten. She performs in a Madonna show and bares an uncanny likeness to Madonna, and she has great band too.

I played recently with guitarist/singer Chuck Alvarez.
A gem of a player and singer. We played a club date in Long Beach, there's more coming up later this month and for December.

2000lbs of Blues is a 50's style jump blues outfit with a hint of 'Red Devils' (if you're familiar) are another band I've enjoyed playing with. I recently noticed tons of filmage on 'youtube'. Singer Mike Aguilero is a real showman and looks like Captain Beefheart. A great night of blues and definitly worthwhile checking out.

My very talented singer-songwriter friend Daniel Kristof has been playing shows at the House of Blues in Anaheim as well as other spots around Orange County. Daniel has his own myspace. We're set to record some of his songs later this month and playing again the Coachouse in San Juan Capistrano December 20th.

Talented singer Jason Feddy(jasonfeddy.com) from Yorkshire and now resident in Laguna Beach plays every thursday at Mozambique Laguna Beach. I join him playing hand percussion and djembe. Jason's making this into a very cool Thursday club night. He told me he opened for WA several times in the Yorkshire region, the Leadmill in Leeds and Rotherham Classic Rock Society.

'Shipwreck Town' who I played the Coachhouse earlier in the summer are listing more dates. Original songs with a Dylan/REM type of flavour.

My guitar player buddy Pat Hennessy that I've played with on many occasion and also the odd wishbone ash jam. Is lining up some shows to play Hawaii over a 10 day period in January 2008. We'll be joined by the bass player from the Joe Bonamassa band to make up the trio.

Earlier in the year Gary Leek was in the studio. I supplied the drumming on 2 of Garys compositions.
Gary has already received airplay from public radio in the US.

On top of the playing there's my teaching side that's been proving a lot of fun.
Many thanks to Kenny Williams at 'Kenny's Music' in Dana Point. And to Jeff and Chad at the Laguna School of Music for their support.
The Laguna School are introducing Online Teaching that I'm proud to be part of. We filmed the first of our many to come sessions recently.
They should be available soon.
Checkout thelagunaschoolofmusic.com for more info

And thanks to everyone who's been into the guestbook and left kind notes. Especially all the loyal WA crew, old friends and aquaintances also that stay up surfing the net! From Glasgow to Tokyo - Holland - Thailand
- China - France- Germany - South America, all over the USA back to blighty and so on..

Checkout my schedules for gigs and events.

Thanks for checking in.

See you later,

Ray

Hi Everyone,
I'd like to introduce you to the love of my life as well as the most important person.

My wife .... Kelly Marie (Weston)
We were married May 18th '07 in Laguna Hills, California.
A short but beautiful ceremony in front of a small number of close family members and friends.
Thanks Leslie, Jason, Ryan and Lucas, you were all superb!

I'll be giving another update shortly of all the upcoming events and activities.

Thanks for checkin' in.

Ray

Hi Everyone,
Thank you all again for your kind words and support.

The original plan was that I take a step back from Wishbone so not to burn any bridges and keep doors open for the future.. so who knows!

I have always been a drummer that likes to explore different musical settings and play with different people, it keeps me fresh and dynamic. With the busy Wishbone touring schedule over the last few years it was impossible to find this time.
Consequently I was losing desire and enthusiasm, and that falls short of what I expect to give and what you deserve.

Home of course is in Southern California. I've had little time until now to really fit into my community. I am still very much playing here in Orange County and in Los Angeles. I'm also teaching drums at The Laguna School of Music.

Another thing I'm excited about is working with guitarist Gary Leek. We've been getting together and working on original songs, a little comparable at times to the older melodic guitar side of wishbone ash, but not by design.
We're planning to record so you can hear something. I'll be putting samples up so you can give us your feedback.

It's been my pleasure in getting to know all of you.

Keep checkin' in.

Talk to you all again soon.

Ray

Hi Everyone, and a very Happy New Year from a snowy Berlin in Germany.

The Wishbone Ash tour of 2007 has been very successful so far with better and more sold out performances than ever.
So many good nights thanks to enthusiastic audiences and the band performances. For pure on stage vibe with a fabulous over enthusiastic 1000 people, the Fabrik in Hamburg was probably one of the best.
We shot a film of the concert for dvd release, which should be available sometime later in the year. It definitly was a great night I can tell you, and will be delightfully interesting to see again when it comes out.

I had every intention of practicing on this tour. I had my drums set up in the garage at home over the christmas holiday time, and trying to get in at least an hour a day practice time. It was my intention to keep it up while touring- even on my pad. But road travel prevailed!

While I was drumming at home I was enjoying a non strict series of lots of rythmic jamming with myself. Starting with a basic 4/4 at a moderate tempo and after awhile when the groove was swinging I'd move it into 6/8, then 12/8 keeping the time constant and not really filling out. After awhile it felt amazing. In fact - It felt as though I'd been bustin' chops. One thing it assured me of was that I have good groove and can swing with it too.

I got together with my friend and drumming guru, Kofi Baker. He's Gingers son of course, and a drum nut! He is the business and means it when he plays. He showed me a couple of African style rhythms. For example the hi hat foot playing 6's, over the kick on the 4's. then playing off beat toms. Very much a Ginger Baker trademark, and with a little patience magic can be achieved! I'lll move back onto rudiments when I get back home after this tour. It always works!
I have a couple of friends that I get together with back in OC. We meet usually once a week and just jam!
Taking it right out too. I think we'll maybe record and make some song ideas come alive soon.

I have some stories I told a couple of musician friends that they found interestingly amusing.

One was when I got booked by a regular producer friend of mine, Tot Taylor, to do session in Abbey Road studios for a Japanese film soundtrack. I was being brought in as a percussion addition to a piece that was in a later part of the session. And the London Symphony Orchestra themselves performing the music.

About 45 musicians in all. And the conductor and Japanese arranger as well as the film director and his entourage.
I quizzed Tot about the reading involved when he was initially booking me. (I was a better sight reader several years back, sad but true to say) He told me the part I was required for was like a lament and had a military snare part to it. And that I should only bring a small section of my drums. "Ok, sounds like a good job".

When I got there, they orchestra were having there lunch break at the restaurant in the studio. It was like the busiest place ever. I got my equipment in and miked before they got back so no time was wasted. Every musician is on musician union rates, so it adds a lot if you don't keep a drill.

When they all came back the conductor came over and introduced himself. I recognised the tuned percussion player to my right as Frank Ricotti. Frank's probably played on every motion picture soundtrack there is and was, as well as many huge hits. An excellent professional! Next to him was one of Irelands top Boudhran player. I was in good company.
Eventually after a couple of level checks the conductor started to get everyone in place and playing. The first thing that struck me was that everyone seemed to be out of time. It took me a moment to realise that this was an alien situation to me. I was used to being in control with the timing on a session, in this setting the conductor is. Everyone looks to him. Myself included.

Not all music is as metronomic and kind of straight forward as rock pop and even jazz for that matter. Then there was the look I got from the conductor when the piece started and I came in on my part. I was obviously too loud!

I stared closer at my part and it did not read fortissimo (loud, louder) Yikes! I'm sweating, 'do not lose your cool'. 'The whole orchestra is not looking at you', and 'I am not holding up a session which is costing thousands by the minute'.
After a take I heard the arranger ask me if I'd come in on the right place. I swallowed, 'I think so' I said down the mike. I could hear the Japanese arranger barking in the background. And then I heard "sorry, our mistake, it's good"!
I learned and very quickly a lot in a couple of minutes that maybe some drum and many other players never get the chance to experience. the motto is "Dont Panic"! and I'm glad to say that was not the last time I worked with that conductor and orchestra.

Anyway I hope that amused you a little. There's lots more to tell too, like playing to a click track for the first time on a Mickie Most session.. ha ha!
Stay tuned.
Ray

Hi Y'all,Well the Wishbone Ash UK tour(oct/nov 06) and US stint have just about come to a close for this year. With just one more commitment in Hamburg on December 9th (a tv show), that will wrap up the WA duties for 2006.
I will of course be carrying on with some other drumming back home in Southern California. checkout my schedule for details.
As usual great to see some fantastic people along the way. I think this was possibly one of the best tours that wishbone has done in a long time. We played great and enjoyed ourselves immensely along the way. I'd like to thank all the guys in the band. They're great players and push me to greater heights. Special thanks to my bro' Bob Skeat. I've never played with a bass player for as long as I have with Bob now, and it shows with us. It's that great empathy that most rhythm sections always strive to get-thanks Bobby!
2006 also brought the new record 'Clan Destiny'. We shared some writing credits on this one, and a great start with Muddy Manninen.. totally awesome guitar player and great bloke!
Back in Laguna Beach I've recently connected with The Laguna Beach school of music, which also features a great recording set up that Lauren Hill from the fugees and Lee Rocker from Stray Cats have been using.A possible exciting adventure to unfold!
I know I need to tell some more 'on the road stories', and I will when I get some more rest time. In the meantime stay tuned..

Ray

Hi y'all, Just got into the UK and rehearsals with Wishbone Ash are now starting. After a good 3 month break it all feels very nice working with my buddies again. We're working on some new material from the last release 'Clan Destiny', as well as some old favourites from the Wishbone 4 and Pilgrimage records. Capture the moment, Eyes wide open, Loose change, The Raven from the new cd. And Sorrel, Valediction, Queen of Torture have been picked from the old catalogue, plus experiments with others. 'Its all good! The rain is a fallin' here in South London, but it's been a very hot and glorious summer for me.. so no complaints! I brought some new Zildjian Constantinoples over with me for trial. And a Palmetto silver sparkle snare drum that my good friend Freddie made for me over in Greenville North Carolina.. Thanks Freddie.. it's sounding awesome dude!! I'll be giving more reports from the road as well as sharing some studio stories very soon.

ray

Well 2006 is just whirling in- In fact i think since 2003 time has had a very strange meaning with all the touring that WA has done. When i look at past itinerarys and see Brazil, Turkey, Europe, USA, Canada and the UK times over, it seems exraordinary! So many gigs, hotels, people, exotic food. (little chefs not included) Muddy (wishbones new guitarist) came into the fold with no real clue what was really going on-he's doing good! It's a lot to ask of someone who had not been professionally musicially busy for awhile. I have a slight different existence living in Southern California now to when i was living in London. For a start I am pretty much exclusive for WA now, as opposed to the sessioneer I used to be back in London. The change is partly due to WA's very busy tour schedule and the decreasing work for session musicians.

I'm grateful that in being a member of WA we have a very healthy fan base that allows us to continue, and as long as people want to come and check it out, they'll most certainly always be a band, and a creative force to produce new music. Thats what it's all about! As a musician you're always striving to get better- and when you feel like it's not happening, it tears at you, it can bring you down and your playing can show it! That's when you get smart. Start practicing more, listen to inspiring music, and get out there and get the fun back into it!

One of the most amazing and interesting things that my band mates and I notice is the new young audience starting to show. I love talking with young drummers and listening to where they're going.

There's a 'jam band' movement going on here in the US. Government Mule, Widespread Panic and The Allmans are among the 'A' list. This movement is very hip with the colleges, and it's the older bands and musicians who are leading the way. Check it out on the web and get on the mailing lists.. cool stuff, and I'm well informed - thanks LM

Thanks for checking out the site, we're still filling it out. Gary leek my 'main man' has been putting together the tech stuff, If there's anything you want to ask or say, email me at ray@raywestondrums.com and I'll get back to you. So in the meantime.. ciao - and talk to you again soon.

ray