Mother Rhythm ::: Drums & Imports

As a kid growing up in Southwest Michigan during the early to mid 70’s, the neighbor kid was my best friend who had an older brother with shiny metallic blue drum set. I used to go to his house, listen to Rock'n'Roll records, and watch his older brother play. At such an early age, I actually felt chills running up and down my body experiencing the heart pounding rhythms induced by aggression, speed, agility, but yet grace. I knew the experience was doing something special to me, but I didn’t quite understand the significance behind it.

Some days I would lay on my bed with the window open and hear his timely rhythms travel 300 yards across the field to my receptive ears. The rhythm moved me – it made me feel alive. I knew at that point I wanted to play the drums. My parents weren’t big on the idea as they saw it as nerve racking “noise” and were already annoyed with the neighbor kid jamming day after day. Piano lessons were the prescribed musical instruction of their day, which I rebelled ten fold in my persistence to want to play the drums.

Time went on, and through peers, many of which were highly informed regarding the musical scene, I found exposure to great bands. Despite everyone’s love for a good lead guitar, I was particularly intrigued with drummers – the back bone of the band. Throughout my entire teenage years, one drummer stood above all the rest in his 360 degree line up of every imaginable percussion instrument at his disposal, and watching him spin around in his chair striking so many different objects with such speed, grace, and precision was absolutely amazing to me. Neal Peart was his name, and the Canadian Trio was Rush. I still appreciate Neal’s phenomenal contributions to this day.

After High School, an enlistment in the U.S. Army, various factory jobs, and raising a child while attending college to earn a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science, I found myself presented with a wonderful opportunity to work as an Environmental Health Specialist for the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota. I have historical family roots in northern Minnesota, and the calling was undeniable – it was time for me to leave Michigan and connect with this calling. As a white man, I found myself to be a minority for the first time in my life accepting employment with Ojibwe Tribal Government. Due to my ignorance, the culture shock was intimidating. It took me a while to adjust, and when I did, I experienced fellowship with some of the most beautiful people I have ever known, and experienced many Pow-wow gatherings, which further reminded me of a deeper significance behind drumming – it was spiritual. The flowing spiritual energy I experienced during Pow-wow drumming was incredible – it literally made the hair on my arms stand straight in the air. It felt warm, inviting, inspiring, and once again……..it made me feel alive!

Several summers ago I had an epiphany while attending the Winnipeg Folk Festival. Drumming circles were the norm at just about every camp fire gathering, some of which were very large in size, all of whom knew how to keep a killer rhythm. I looked into the eyes of people as they drummed and it appeared to me that they were in a totally different world – an integral part of the spiritual world through the language of rhythm. It was the most primal and universal experience of my life. It made me feel universally connected - unified with everyone around me despite the fact that I didn’t know anyone – it was a common language that everyone understood. Once again, I felt the presence of a much deeper realm, and all I knew was that I wanted to be part of that realm. My friend brought a cuica drum, which I began to stroke. Each stroke and friction induced rhythm blended so incredibly well with the ensemble. People were intrigued and inquisitive: “What is that? Where is that sound coming from?” This new sound inspired people to play louder and faster, more in synch with one another, and the flowing energy was nothing other than moving, joyful and positive – it was something I had never experienced before in my life, and I was part of it. It was at this point when drumming became a permanent spiritual influence in my life - life is rhythm, rhythm is life.

Over time I picked up a few djembe’s, bongos and congas and began feeling my own rhythms……wherever my spirit lead my hands to move, and my musical tastes evolved outside the mainstream finding exposure to Babatunde Olatunji, Micky Hart, David and Steve Gordon……….the list goes on. I recognized drumming circles as a strong and growing spiritual movement, and felt compelled to spread this joy I brought into my life. I wanted to make my contribution to the movement, and what better way than present the instrument itself, bringing spiritual and healing power into the lives of others to make our world a more unified peaceful place to coexist.

Long hours were invested locating a reputable manufacturer who places environmental conservation as a priority in their operation. This is extremely important to me given my profession in the Environmental protection field. During my research, I was dismayed at the number of manufacturer’s consumed by greed who cut corners, bypass governmental regulations, have blatant disregard for permitting and conservation laws, and use illegally harvested black market wood obtained from ecologically sensitive habitats. My persistence finally lead me to an ethical Indonesian based manufacturer who recognizes the symbiotic ecological and economic equation, and importance of proper management and sustainability of natural resources by adhering to conservation laws, permitting and utilization of plantation wood - wood specifically grown and harvested for the handicraft industry. This makes sense - it’s responsible, and this is the type of operation I insist being affiliated with. Over the past year I have established good business relationship, and became an importer of handicrafts, placing emphasis on ethnic musical instruments including Djembe and Ashiko hand drums, Cuica drums, Didgeridoos, Flutes, Handheld Percussion, and accessories. My business is in its infancy, and it is my goal to spread the primal power of rhythm by offering high quality traditional musical instruments at competitive affordable prices indicative of fair mark up. My name is Gregg Anderson, owner of Mother Rhythm Drums & Imports, based in Bemidji, Minnesota – the head waters of the Mississippi River – the Nations Ice Box! Welcome! I invite you to browse my web site.