Jarred L. Blackmer

The Story of My Life As A Drummer

I am influenced mostly by my dad who played drums in a band when he was 13. He played for Colmen Jr. High school's Halloween dance one year. My mom went to that dance and that evening met my dad as she saw him playing on stage. They hit it off and started dating. several years later as the relationship grew more serious, dad had little time to play any more, and the band was starting to flounder--mainly due to drugs. So, wisely my dad sold his Slingerland kit to my moms brother, who is now my uncle. Clever move, since dad would have been over there at mom's house anyway... (get money for the kit and still play it while visiting his girlfriend)

(30 years later)
(30 years later) My uncle was moving out of his house and had piles of stuff all over his living room including the drum set and all its origional hardware. I noticed people tripping on it and since I have always had an incredible fascination with drums, I offered to take it out of his way as he moved. I took it home, beat on them for a while, and determined if I would really play a set of drums if I bought them on my own. I loved it! and I got to see my dad play right in front of me. I gave the 35 year old drum kit back and bought my own Percussion Plus drum set and taught myself the basics. I grew complacent with my skills and thought I could be like Lars Ulrich if I bought another 5 piece Percussion plus and set it next to my other one to mimic his old 11 piece double bass kit. I had no idea how to use it, so I sold the shells and bought a 5 peice Yamaha Dp sieres. It was on ok starter kit, but i still wanted more. I sold that and bought a 6-piece Roland V-Custom electronic kit. It was cool for when I was in the dorm in college, but I still wasnt satisfied. After I moved out of the dorm, I splurged and went for the top of the line. The Mapex Saturn Pro. I am happy.

After 4 years of playing, and swearing that I would never join a band because of the pressure, and my inferiority, I am the drummer of this very cool band, making music, and having a good time and getting better every day. Now after 4 years of messing around, I am actually taking lessons and learing what I should have learned before I picked up a pair of drum sticks.

The coolest thing about it all is that I learned how to play on the exact same drum kit my dad played on 35 years ago and was present the night my parents got serious. I hope that if he were here today, he would be proud...and jealous..since i am better than he was.

Angela was looking everyday for jobs in the Oracle, and one day found the ad Kevin and Eric and Matt placed looking for fellow non-pothead. Dummer Wanted for local rock band. The fact that they cared enough to advertise for non-pot heads caught my attention. I held onto it for a few days and debated calling the number. My insecurity about my talent hindered my confidence. I really only called to find out if i was good enough.

I had them come over to jam out on some blues, and some basic rock grooves. I was so nervous, but i played everything i had. As they were walking out the door my impatience set in. I was so nervous and i couldn't wait till a later day to find out of i was in so I asked if this was an audition....Eric said "well if it is,...then, uh.... You Won!"

I like to win.