T.G. Sheppard - Livin on the Edge

"Doncha?" was a Top 10 song by country artist, T.G. Sheppard, appearing on his 1985 album Livin' On The Edge. Doncha? reached #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1985 (Columbia 05591).

This groove is a programmed drum track ... you can tell by the sounds of the drums as well as the layering of the percussion voices (ie. cross-stick and Tom Toms).

The groove has a lilt to it, so the written sixteenth-notes should be swung slightly throughout. I've notated the cross-stick along with the main drumset part, even though it would be impossible to play everything as written — unless you choose to leave out a few notes.

T.G. Sheppard - "Doncha?

If you are performing this tune live and not planning to program the electronic Tom sounds, as well as the cross-stick, here are a few options for you:


  • Play only the basic drumkit part; Kick, Snare and HiHat. This is most definitely the easiest approach ... and probably the smartest.
  • Play the basic drumkit part using two hands on the HiHat. This will allow you to work out a way to play the cross-stick part (left hand) while covering the Snare part (right hand) and most of the HiHat part.
  • Leave out the written HiHat part so you can cover the Toms, Snare and cross-stick parts; Kick drum as well, of course. If you miss hearing the HiHat too much, play an eighth-note pulse with the left foot on the HiHat.

Have fun ... and good luck! Laughing