Topic: Doug, Vinnie & Alex

[David Stanoch]

Welcome to the basement, Doug - the "inner sanctum" of the Cafe!

I know you're a huge Vinnie fan since you started that thread "Vinnie, Anyone?" that I managed to almost tank simply by posting a clip of VC playing w/Tal W.

Anyway, I'm curious about the pic on your DC bio page of you, Vinnie & Alex Acuna, in clinic in Canada. That had to be quite a day. Can you tell us the story behind it when you're able?

And, before I forget, "Hello," from Elliot Fine, who is a another great admirer of your educational work.

Cheers,
D.

[Doug Tann]

Hi David, and congrats on your fine book!

The Vinnie pic is a story all it's own.

In the late 80's I managed the Drum Shoppe in Toronto.  It was a small pro shop
that catered to the top players.  We were the ones that imported Neil Pearts first
Protype double pedal when he ditched the second kick.

Anyway... We were the top Yamaha sales team for several years running and with
the help of several key players, put on the first "drum" day.

Alex kept to himself, but I got to gang with Vinnie for 3 days.  I picked him up
from the airport and after taking the red eye into Toronto, Vinnie asked if the drums were
set up.  When I reminded him, gently, that it was 6 in the morning, he kind of shrugged
took a pair of sticks out of his jacket pocket and serenaded me on my dashboard all the
way to the hotel.

I have a mono mix of the clinic, the mix isn't great, but Vinnie is killing. He had just signed the Sting
deal a week or so before we had him up.

Thanks for asking!