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Steel Drum Music News
So far this year is continuing to improve as far as the number of live steel drum gigs go. Seems like people are having more parties, events etc and having more entertainment which is great for everyone. Live music adds so much to any event (my humble opinion). Onward!!!
A Brand New Year
2012 just got started and already it seems that things are off to a great start musically speaking. Really looking forward to this year. Already have several gigs booked and have been getting more calls and inquiries than this same time the previous year. Things are looking up. I finally feel that the economy isRead more..
A Beautiful Winter Day
Taking a break on a gig in Huntington Beach, CA. A beautiful winter day. You can see Catalina Island off in the distance.
James Bond Song on the Steel Drums
Hey there kids. This song “Under The Mango Tree” heard here on the steel drums was heard in the very Bond movie titled Dr. No Steel Drum Music on Youtube
Christmas Steel Drums
Here is a new video which tells about our Holiday Steel Drum Christmas Music cd. Click here for our Youtube Steel Drum Channel
Some Steel Drum Jazz
Here’s a tune called My Little Suede Shoes that was written by Charlie Parker the great jazz alto sax player. Some jazz influenced steel drum music for you to check out. Enjoy! Steel Tropics Steel Drum Music Channel on Youtube
Steel Drum Gig Antics
This was on a recent gig in the Laguna Beach area. Flying Shark! Click here! for Steel Drums on Youtube
Youtube Steel Drums
Here is some footage of a recent steel drum gig. Here I am playing an old Calypso tune called Under The Mango Tree Steel Drum Music on Youtube!
Bob Marley On The Steel Drums
Here is one of my latest Youtube Videos of me performing Bob Marley’s “Stir It Up” on steel drums at a recent event Our Youtube Steel Drum Band Channel
Steel Drums at Albertsons
Yep thats right….Steel Drums at an Albertsons grocery store!!! They put on this really cool event that went all day long. Lots of vendors, food samples, wine companies, pro chefs etc. Lots of fun activites for the kids as well. Here is a picture of me on the steel drums during the event. Was aRead more..
A Steel Drummer’s Diet
This is an important part of any serious steel drummer’s diet. I call it the 5th food group
Steel Drum Sunday
Spent Sunday in Huntington Beach filling in for a good friend at his brunch gig. Was a really beautiful day today. Here is the view! Steel Drum Sunday
Leisure Time Away From The Steel Drums
Here are my two favorite people. My wife Susan and my Daughter Isabel. A little down time from gigs, writing music and recording is a much needed thing. Helps to keep a good balance
Steel Drum Music in Newport Beach, California
View from my gig in Newport Beach, CA on a beautiful Sunday Evening! Awesome event
Steel Drum News: 15 Seconds of Fame
Well I’ve just peaked: I got my picture taken with the world famous Chester Cheeto! This was on a steel drum gig that I did for an Albertsons store.
Steel Drum Music on Youtube
Click Here to get to our recently updated Youtube Channel which features our Steel Drum Music
A Very Memorable Steel Drum Gig
We got called last minute to play at an event on this past Saturday. It was a celebration of life, honoring a gentleman’s wife who had recently passed away. It was a really beautiful day in Newport Beach. The turnout was rather large which says volumes about this lovely woman who passed on. We performedRead more..
Steel Drums Music, Poker, iphones and ipads
Finally decided to hop on board and we all(the family) recently got brand new iphones. I do have to say that they are very cool devices. Took just a little bit of getting used to but our daughter as do most kids, figured out anything that we weren’t sure about doing with them. Kids reallyRead more..
Steel Drum Music etc
Been noticing a trend this year as far as parties go. More and more people are doing a lot of their own catering, decorating etc. I think that people are finding that they can do a lot of the work for their parties all on their own, especially if the party is not too bigRead more..
Soul Surfer
Little off topic from steel drum music but I really wanted to write about this. My wife Susan and I just took our 11 year old daughter to see the new movie out called Soul Surfer. The movie is based on Bethany Hamilton a girl who was attacked by a shark while surfing off ofRead more..
Writing Original Songs, ASCAP and Music Publishing
This is a follow-up post in regards to an earlier entry that I made about getting one of my original steel drum songs in the movie called “The Back Up Plan” which featured Jennifer Lopez. The movie came out in 2010 by the way. A few things to start; I highly recommend for any composersRead more..
What Size Steel Drum Band Works Best?
I often get several questions asked by a client inquiring about our band when they are interested in using steel drum music for their particular event. Typically a prospective client wants to know just how much it costs for the band, how long we normally perform, does a solo steel drummer sound better than a steel drumRead more..
An Engagement Party Done Right!
I did a fantastic engagement party for my new friend Cara last weekend. This party was a smashing success for a few reasons: 1. Planning: Cara and all her family & friends that helped her out were very organized with everything at this party. Theme, decorations, food, entertainment. Planning is super important for any event.Read more..
Steel Drums at the Gran Prix of Long Beach 2011
I have done this great gig every April for a large office building in Downtown Long Beach for the Gran Prix event. It is a great party and a great spot to check out the race. Here are a couple of pics from the event this year
An Interesting Steel Drum Picture
Was doing a steel drum gig a few nights ago in Dana Point, CA and brought my Canon Digital SLR Camera along as I do on most of my gigs nowadays. You never know when you might have an opportunity to get some nice photos while out on a gig so I always throw myRead more..
The Different Sizes of Steel Drums
Thought that it would be cool to show some pictures of the different sizes of steel drums. Bear in mind that this is not all of the many sizes that steel pans come in but showing you several sizes of instruments as some examples here. Tenor Bass Pans Read more..
Some Bluesy Steel Drums
At home playing around on the steel drums one day. Decided to set up the camera and just play a bit of blues.
So Just How Are Steel Drums Made?
I get asked this question a lot when out performing steel drum music- “So how are those things made anyways?” My usual answer has been condensed because usually when I am playing during a set it is hard to explain the entire process of just how they are made. All of my sets of steelRead more..
Where Do Steel Drums or “Steel Pans” Come From??
At one point in time many years ago, it was hard to find any steel drums or “steelpans” outside of the Caribbean region. Nowadays there are steel drum builders all around the world. Here in Southern California there are some great steelpan builder/tuners sprinkled throughout the region. In some upcoming blog entries I will beRead more..
Steel Drums and Ukeleles
Steel drums and ukeleles. Sounds interesting(and very tropical to boot). I have recorded 4 steel drum cds to date. On my 2nd recording, Christmas Paradise we used a combination of steel drums, marimba, flute, electric, guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, percussion and drum set. On the song Mele Kalikimaka from our cd I threw in someRead more..
A Little Caribbean Food With My Steel Drums
So finally tried making my own Caribbean style Jerk Chicken a few nights ago. Figured since I play Caribbean Steel Drum Music for a living I should familiarize myself with how to make some of the food items(instead of just eating them on some of my gigs). I have eaten many different Caribbean style foodRead more..
Steel Drum Happenings | Getting a Song in a Movie
2010 was an interesting year for me as far as steel drum music went. The economy in 2010 for live music gigs overall was still not super strong(at least for me that is) but there were still some unique opportunities happening. There were still live steel pan performances for me and the band going onRead more..
Calypso Music | Try Using Calypso Music For Your Wedding Cocktail Hour
Try using a Steel Drum player to perform Calypso music for your guests during the cocktail hour portion of your wedding. Not only is it unique but it sounds great and your guests will truly enjoy the tropical sounds. At your typical wedding there is almost always some down time between the time when theRead more..
Steel Drums Music | Using Steel Drums at your Wedding Ceremony
Having steel drum music for your wedding ceremony is a great idea. I have played the steel drums at many weddings in my career and not only have the bride and groom loved hearing the music but all of their guests also loved hearing the tropical steel drum music being played. Many of them neverRead more..
My Daughter Wants A Pet Tarantula!
No kidding. My daughter Isabel who is 11 years old(who is a jewel of a daughter and a person)says she wants so get a pet tarantula. She is really afraid of bees but loves spiders. She has never been stung by a bee but has always feared them for some reason. Maybe it stemmed fromRead more..
Caribbean Steel Drums | Some Mellow Steel Drums For You
Playing some mellow solo steel drums at a special event. Awesome party. Food was killa, people were super nice and they loved the steel band music. People just love listening to Caribbean steel drums. One gent even said it reminded him of some steel pan music that he heard while he was in Aruba! ServingRead more..
Steel Drum Bands | Trinidad Panorama Steel Drum Band Winners 2011
Check out some really cool steel band music here. Calypso music is so infectious! A full steel pan band performing at Panorama in Trinidad. This steel drum band flat out rocks!
5 Top Reasons To Have Live Steel Pan Music At Your Event
Why have live steel pan music at your special event you ask? Well, I can think of a few good reasons to start with here. 1. Having live music playing right when your event starts. Real honest to goodness live music playing right when your guests start to arrive to your soiree can setRead more..
