DRUM BATTLE ROYALE!

Drum solos may be out of fashion (I think of the drunk yelling out "Caravan with a drum solo!") but here are two great drummers from the old school, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, battling it out like the wizards in Lord of the Rings. These guys have been practicing their rudiments and paraddidles, as our school bandleader Mr. Fitzimmons used to say.

Go, man, Go!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, J. R. R. TOLKIEN

J. R. R. Tolkien, the Oxford professor best known for creating "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Hobbit," was born on this day in 1892. (it's also my mom's birthday -- Happy Birthday, Mom!) Recently, after a long, drawn-out legal battle, LOTR director Peter Jackson announced he will indeed be directing "The Hobbit," though it will take years to get to the screen. I know, I sound like a geek but I really enjoyed these movies and I'm looking forward to seeing "The Hobbit."