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My Pearl Story - Calvin Rodgers
WHY PEARL?
WHEN I WAS A YOUNG KID, I DIDN’T OWN A DRUMKIT.
At that time, the Guitar Center’s drum departments were like a dream. There was a Pearl Drumkit on a riser, sitting in the window.
At night when they’d close, you could drive past that store, and the see the drums all lit up through the glass window. I dreamed and dreamed about playing those drums. I got a chance to play that kit - it was an MMX. I always said whenever I get a big gig,
I’M GONNA SAVE MY MONEY AND BUY MYSELF A PEARL MMX.

FIRST PEARL KIT?
As fate would have it, my parents went to that same Guitar Center, when they decided to purchase me a kit. It was 1986, and i was 8yrs old. My dad knew I loved that Pearl kit in the window, so he decided on the Pearl Export. I played that kit everyday, for years.
I RECORDED MY FIRST ALBUM ON THAT KIT AS WELL.
FAVORITE PEARL GEAR?
I love EVERYTHING Pearl makes…I love the fact that I don’t have to seek out different brands for snares, and hardware, and percussion...That being said, if i had to say there was one piece of gear that was my favorite, I’d probably have to say the SENSITONE HERITAGE ALLOY BLACK/BRASS SNARE DRUM.

Related Article
My Pearl Story - Miguel Lamas
I officially started playing drums at the age of 4, but even before that, around 1994–95, I was already hitting my uncle’s old black Pearl Export kit. SO PEARL WERE THE FIRST DRUMS I EVER PLAYED IN MY LIFE. I still remember when my parents used to take me to his place… I always wanted to go straight to his studio and spend the whole day playing. Then, at the age of 6, I went to my first music school and did my first live performance. The drum kit was another Pearl Export, this time in maroon. The toms were bigger than me (12”, 13”, 16”), and you could barely see me behind the kit, BUT I REMEMBER BEING THE HAPPIEST KID IN THE WHOLE WORLD. I also remember watching VHS tapes of Dennis Chambers playing those amazing big Pearl kits. Then the yellow kit came out, and it completely blew me away. The beauty and the sound of those drums, man! At school, I barely paid attention to the teacher because I was always dreaming about that kit and drawing it in my maths books… I OFFICIALLY SIGNED WITH PEARL IN 2015, and my first performance as a Pearl endorser was at TamTam DrumFest in Seville, Spain. I was doing my performance, enjoying a beautiful red Reference Series kit, and when I came off stage, Dennis Chambers was there! He was also playing at the festival, but I hadn’t even realized it until that moment. We spent the whole night talking about life and drums, and I still remember it as one of the best moments of my life. Today, I have the joy and privilege of playing Pearl every single day, and I still enjoy it just as much as I did when I was a kid. WHEN YOU GO TO A CONCERT AND SEE A PEARL KIT ON STAGE, YOU JUST KNOW EVERYTHING IS GOING TO WORK! Nowadays, I use different Pearl series, and every one of them works perfectly across all kinds of styles and situations. One of my favorite things is traveling around the world and getting the chance to play different Pearl kits that have been exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, humidity, temperatures… and somehow, they always sound great and have something special about them!IT’S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY TOGETHER WITH THE BEST BRAND IN THE WORLD, AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF PAGES LEFT TO WRITE TOGETHER.HAPPY 80TH ANNIVERSARY, PEARL!THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE PART OF YOUR HISTORY.
Pearl 80th Anniversary Giveaway “My Pearl Story”
To celebrate Pearl’s 80th anniversary, we’re launching our special giveaway campaign, “My Pearl Story.” Share your story with Pearl—whether it’s a special memory, an unforgettable performance, or a story about the Pearl drums that have been part of your musical journey. Special prizes and Pearl 80th anniversary items are waiting for selected participants. For full campaign details and how to enter, please visit the campaign page below.▶ Learn More About “My Pearl Story”https://pearldrum.com/en/80th-stories
El Estepario Siberiano × Pearl US Giveaway Campaign
Pearl Artist El Estepario Siberiano is hosting a special giveaway campaign! Four lucky winners will each receive a Primal Snare Collective Copper snare drum personally signed by El Estepario Siberiano.For full giveaway details and entry instructions, check out the video on Estepario's YouTube channel. Don’t miss your chance to enter! Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW4fNgeevAAEntry Form:https://pearlprimalsweeps.com/
BEST SNARE, HARDWARE AND PERCUSSION
These Pearl products won the Slagwerkkrant Readers Award 2019 The votes have been counted and we couldn't be happier to announce that these three Pearl products won the hearts of the Slagwerkkrant magazine readers in 2019. Best Snare Drum: Pearl Modern Utility Floor Snare Best Hardware: Pearl ICON Rack System Best Percussion: Pearl Primero Guiro Cowbell Moreover, these incredible Pearl Artists from Benelux were awarded too! Best Drummer Benelux: Cesar Zuiderwijk Best Fusion/Crossover: Lucas van Merwijk Best Percussion Group: Slagerij van Kampen Best Drum Event of the Year: 2000 drummers aan zee by Cesar Zuiderwijk Thank you very much for your support and for all your votes!
Bringing the Artist to you.
e/MERGE Bringing the Artist to you.Get a Free One-on-One Masterclass with a Top Artist Already for 75 years, Pearl has been working on bringing the best musical experience to drummers around the world. To support you in present troubling times Pearl Europe teamed up with some of our international Top Artists to offer you something unqiue! When you buy a Pearl e/MERGE drum kit -- you will get a one-hour personal drum lesson as a gift! The drum lesson will be on-line by one of the Top Pearl artists below. Select the artist you want to take lesson from and contact Pearl Europe at campaign@pearleurope.com with the proof of the purchase and serial number of the module. Valid: Starting today until March 31st 2021. Exclusive selected e/MERGE dealers:Thomann – https://www.thomann.de/de/index.htmlDrum-Tec – https://www.drum-tec.de/Just Music – https://www.justmusic.de/Musik Produktiv – https://www.musik-produktiv.de/PPC – https://www.ppcmusic.de/ Andertons – https://www.andertons.co.uk/Gear4Music – https://www.gear4music.com/ Key Music – https://www.keymusic.com/nl/Maatwerk in Drums – https://maatwerkindrums.nl/ Bax-Shop -- https://www.bax-shop.nl/Musical Box – https://www.musicalbox.com/Merula – https://www.merula.com/ Tam-Tam Percussion – https://www.tamtampercusion.com/es/Alfasoni - https://alfasoni.com/ La Baguetterie – https://www.baguetterie.fr/Woodbrass – https://www.woodbrass.com/La Boîte aux Rythmes – https://www.drumshop34.com/ Dirk BrandGenre:(prog)rock, jazz, pop, metal Lesson available in language(s):EnglishGerman Social media links:https://www.instagram.com/drummybrand/https://www.facebook.com/dirk.brand.14https://www.dirkbrand.com/ Quick introduction:As a versatile all-rounder you can see/hear Dirk Brand performing on many international Drum-Festivals and working with tons of famous international artists from all types of genres and music styles and all over the world. For instance as an official band member of famous German metal group Axxis he toured all over the world and played at famous Wacken Open Air, Bang Your Head, Masters of Rock (CZ), and many more festivals. With Belgium dance super group Milk Inc. he is playing at some of the biggest dance festivals around and collaborations with mega stars like SEAL or A-ha happened. And in China and Japan he played with Marty Friedman from Megadeath and Japanese Keyboard wizard Tatsuya Nishiwaki!In 2015 he joined German prog-rock group "Subsignal" and recorded several highly acclaimed albums. Some albums were voted No.1 at many international genre specific radio stations and music magazines, and got nominated for best Prog-Rock Album in 2015 & 2018.As an on-demand drummer he played also many musicals like "Evita", "Linie 1", „Feet of the Flames" or "Hair"… just to name a few.Dirk Brand is author of highly acclaimed drum books "1000 Faces of Drum Styles", "Future Drumming", "Chart Reading" and "Pocket Rhythms for Drums" and also a DVD "A Band Concept". For German drum magazine „Drums&Percussion" he writes a monthly column about „Electronic and Hybrid Drumming" and “Double Bass Drum Playing”.As an international clinician and product specialist he has demonstrated and performed all over the World, sharing his wide style of different drumming skills on tons of drum festivals, like: TamTam Festival (Spain), Warsaw Drum Festival (Poland), Drums&Percussion Paderborn (Germany), Bag’Show (France), India, Vietnam, Singapore, Music Russia, Music Fair Norway, Music China, Malaysia, Dresdner Drum Festival (Germany), Drummer Meeting Koblenz (Germany) and many many more.Dirk Brand is also closely working together with Pearl Drums for their electronic systems, like: e/MERGE and MIMIC Pro.For 8 years he has been a member of the Westfälische Wilhelms University in Münster and since 2009 he is the Drum Department Head of the Rock-, Jazz-, Pop-, Academy called short RPJam in Gießen close to Frankfurt. How I Can Help:I have in-depth knowledge about the e/MERGE, am product specialist already for 20+ years when it concerns e-kits, am also a very versatile drummer, therefore completely flexible and open to talk about any drum topic you wish to know more about. For the lesson I will use:e/MERGE Drum Kitseveral cameras, therefore being able to create different perspectives Pearl artist page for more info and details:https://pearldrum.com/eu/artist/dirk-brand/13191 Miguel LamasGenre:Fusion, pop Lesson available in language(s):EnglishSpanish Social media links:https://www.instagram.com/miguellamasdrums/https://www.facebook.com/miguellamasofficialhttps://www.miguel-lamas.com/ Quick introduction:Miguel Lamas (Ferrol/Spain, 1993) is a Latin Grammy Award winning drummer and playing drums already from 4 years old.He has worked live and in studio with artists like Dani Martín, Melendi, Amaia Montero, Miriam Rodriguez, Abraham Mateo, Maldita Nerea, David DeMaría, Zahara, O'Funk'Illo, David Bustamante, Soraya Arnelas, Lérica, Andrés Suárez, Tomasito, Juanito Makandé, Pepe Bao, Canijo de Jerez, Lin Cortés, Nani Cortés... just to name a few.Sa far he released two solo albums and also an album with his trio together with Raynald Colom & Jorge Vera.He performed at some of the greatest drum events around the world, like: The UK Drum Show (UK), Bag’Show (France), TamTam Drumfest (Spain), Meinl Drumfest (Germany), La Rioja Drumfest (Spain), NAMM Show (USA), ZonaSoul (Argentina), Clinic Days (Peru)... and many others.Also did he share his expertise during several online lessons at OnlineLessons.tv How I Can Help:There are for sure some points that I‘d like to bring to your attention: Timing, Sound, Creativity and Precision.But I am also completely flexible and open to talk about any drum topic you wish to know more about. For the lesson I will use:e/MERGE Drum Kitseveral cameras, therefore being able to create different perspectives Pearl artist page for more info and details:https://pearldrum.com/eu/artist/miguel-lamas/19231 Riccardo MerliniGenre:Rock, pop, metal Lesson available in language(s):EnglishItalian Social media links:https://www.instagram.com/riccardo.merlini/https://riccardomerlini.com/ Quick introduction:Italian drummer, fastest hands on the planet, graduated at Conservatory, student of Mike Mangini in Boston, teacher, clinician, awarded world fastest drummer who discovered and developed the fastest hands technique reaching 400BPM with single stroke roll with drum sticks and 300BPM with bare hands. High profile and international renowned drummers from all over the world take lessons from Riccardo, like: superstar percussionist Eric Bobo (Cypress Hill), Mike Reid (drummer of Janet Jackson, Rhianna) and many others from around the world. How I Can Help:My technique is very useful and teachable to anyone from the first approach and it's very useful for every kind of expression and style on the drum set or percussions. It helps to reach more flexibility of wrist and fingers. Developing the right movements for a better control and grip functionality. My intention during this lesson would therefore be to explain you how my Super Fast Hands Technique works, at least for the first half an hour. I’ll show you many examples and give you exercises to develop and understand the benefits of this innovative method that helps you reach the fastest single strokes possible in a natural way, without tricks or shortcuts. Also I’d like to introduce to you one of my favorite tutorials: Hands&Feet Extreme Coordination… a system that I created to develop crazy independence and control of your limbs. But of course I’m also open to other requests like: just Double Pedal exercises (Doubles, Heel/Toe Technique, Singles…), Time Keeping especially at fast tempos, Chops etc… I speak English (C2 Level) and of course Italian. For the lesson I will use:e/MERGE Drum KitiPhone 11PRO front viewMac Book ProAction Cam HD for my feet Pearl artist page for more info and details:https://pearldrum.com/eu/artist/riccardo-merlini/14061 Cédric HilaireGenre:Rock, pop, fusion, alternative Lesson available in language:French Social media links:https://www.instagram.com/cedric_hilaire/https://www.facebook.com/cedric.hilaire.drumhttps://www.youtube.com/user/myckadow1?app=desktophttps://www.d-clickonline.com/ Quick introduction:"Cédric Hilaire a commencé à faire de la batterie ainsi que ses premiers concerts à l'âge de 17 ans.Il écume les scènes européennes avec différents projets (Zetlaskars, EARL, Fouad Nohra, Kulbuto, Konami Code, Bonobo Circus, Ape’s O Clock, Tomawok...) et cumule près de 900 concerts.En parallèle, le batteur développe une passion pour la pédagogie.Il rejoint l’écurie Yamaha en tant que professeur (la Yamaha Popular Music School près de Rennes) à l’âge de 23 ans et y donne des cours particuliers et collectifs pendant plus de 10 ans.En 2014 Cédric a créé son école de batterie en ligne, D-Click Online, pour transmettre ses connaissances et sa vision de l’enseignement au plus grand nombre. Il a déjà prodigué ses conseils à plus de 300 élèves à travers le monde.En 2019 il a construit son studio, le Studio DCO, pour pouvoir acceuillir des batteurs en stage sur un ou plusieurs jours pour qu'ils puissent progresser le plus efficacement possible dans un confort optimal.Depuis ce studio il diffuse aussi des vidéos pédagogiques sur sa chaîne Youtube (25 000 abonnés) ainsi que pour sa rubrique mensuelle "Les cours de Cédric Hilaire" dans le magazine spécialisé ‘Batterie Magazine’.” How I Can Help:I am completely flexible and open to talk about any drum topic you wish to know more about… e/MERGE, it’s module, bass drum techniques, coordination, groves, and so on…Whether you are a beginner or an expert, I enjoy teaching to all levels, all styles and all ages and am a competent and very experienced drum teacher that will meet your expectations. For the lesson I will use:e/MERGE Drum Kitseveral cameras, therefore being able to create different perspectives Pearl artist page for more info and details:https://pearldrum.com/eu/artist/cedric-hilaire/1332196 Jason BowldGenre:Rock, metal, urban Lesson available in language:English Social media links:https://www.instagram.com/jasonbowld/https://www.facebook.com/jasonbowldmusichttps://www.youtube.com/c/JasonBowldhttp://www.jasonbowld.com/ Quick introduction:“Hey there! I’m Jase the drummer for Bullet For My Valentine of which I’ve been part of for the last five years now. I’ve toured worldwide at a stadium level for a long long time now and prior to Bullet. Some bands I have played with include Pitchshifter, Killing Joke, Fightstar not to mention Axewound - a cool side project with myself and Bullet singer Matt. I’m a keen educator too, being a writer for Rhythm magazine for the last 14 years and also having played many drum clinics worldwide. I teach privately/remotely from my home studio where I also compose music for T.V. sync purposes - Is there anything I can’t do? Well yes - I’m terrrrrible at Golf and you could deffo kick my ass at Crochet’ I hope to see you in 2021 when we tour our brand new Bullet album which features some of my deadliest drumming.Peace x" How I Can Help:In your lesson with me, I can cover subjects such as: double-kick, linear drumming, fill/groove ideas, rock, funk and Drum ‘n Bass - I can also teach Nu-fusions of world styles fused with modern styles that you love that will also further your technique. For the lesson I will use:e/MERGE Drum Kitseveral cameras, therefore being able to create different perspectives Pearl artist page for more info and details:https://pearldrum.com/eu/artist/jason-bowld/17326 Kai HahtoGenre:Rock, metal Lesson available in language(s):EnglishFinnish Social media links:https://www.facebook.com/kai.hahto.96https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu-0SJCRozg Quick introduction:Kai started playing the drums at the age of 6. Since he was 13 years old, he started playing in local bands till late 80’s… and after in the 90’s he got his name cemented in especially international heavy metal drum community as being part of Rotten Sound.But Kai also played with more Blues/Rock and Dixieland/Street Jazz music styled bands. Since Kai wanted to expand his technical abilities even more, he moved to New York for one Summer in 2002. His teachers were: Freddy Gruber, Joe Morello, Jim Chapin and John Riley and gave him a completely new direction in technique and drum set control. In 2004, Kai marked a new chapter in his life by co-founding Wintersun. And in 2009, he also became part of Swallow the Sun, having him record two studio albums with them and playing hundreds of shows around the world. In between touring, he has also been very active in the studio as a drum tech/tuning guy for bands like Nightwish, Children Of Bodom, Ensiferum… just to name a few…This leads us to 2014 when he was asked by Nightwish to play on their new album “Endless Forms Most Beautiful” and join on their upcoming worldwide tour… and he has been with Nightiwsh as official band member ever since.Kai has done tons of clinics and masterclasses, and has been highly acclaimed because of his live, studio and teaching work. How I Can Help:Get up close and personal with ‘one to one’ industry professional tuition.The lesson is designed around you to your needs. I will design your lesson using the information you provide me regarding your skill level be it beginner, intermediate or advanced. The number of years you’ve been playing, your favourite styles, your age, techniques and styles you wish to develop will all be factored into your lesson alongside insightful advice on becoming a session player (live and in the studio) and a stadium level live drummer. For the lesson I will use:e/MERGE Drum Kitseveral cameras, therefore being able to create different perspectives Pearl artist page for more info and details:https://pearldrum.com/eu/artist/kai-hahto/13196