The Coalition for Clyde Stubblefield ~ GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME!

[David Stanoch]

Greetings to all of my Drummer Cafe friends,

By now I'll bet you've seen the widgets floating around the site and I hope you've had a chance to read the news item Bart also has posted:

http://www.drummercafe.com/music-industry/news/the-coalition-for-clyde-stubblefield.html

GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME! is a donation campaign created by The Coalition for Clyde Stubblefield, an alliance of music artists and industry founded by Stanton Moore, Johnny Rabb and myself, to raise awareness of Clyde Stubblefield's current medical needs and provide a safe and simple way for caring and concerned individuals to contribute to helping him out.

Please visit the website we've created to collect donations at chipin.com, a service tailored expressly for this purpose, to learn more about Clyde's challenges and determination and the effort we are proud to put forth on his behalf.

http://clydestubblefield.chipin.com/clyde-stubblefield]http://clydestubblefield.chipin.com/clyde-stubblefield

There's also some detailed bio information on Clyde I think you'll find interesting and a few rare video clips as well.

This effort is very personal to me. Clyde taught me by his own example. I learned so much through his mentoring when I moved to Madison in 1980 to begin college.

Going to the jam sessions he hosted in town, two nights a week, became like a religion to me. His bands were killer and when he started calling me to sub for him, and then the cats he played with starting calling me for gigs as well, I really felt like I'd accomplished something.

What's really interesting to me is I've seen him do this time and again for up and coming players - and not just drummers. He's a very special guy. Over the years we've had a lot of fun together and I'm proud of the fact that I've produced, performed and recorded a variety of music with him. Clyde has always encouraged me.

When word of his current condition broke last year I put out the word to mutual friends so they could contact Clyde with messages of support. Johnny Rabb and Stanton Moore stood out to me immediately because they both wanted to get involved in doing something significant to help. They weren't short on ideas, either.

Johnny and Stanton are both, as everyone at a place like this knows, uniquely talented drumming artists and beyond that they are true and thoughtful gentlemen. They both have the gift of imagination and relentless energy in following through to make their ideas reality. I am proud to have them as friends.

We've worked very hard on this to develop the best possible option to assist Clyde. Our coalition is growing fast. Vic Firth, Inc., is hard at work with us on this, as are several other percussion industry groups, and folks like Bart Elliott have been stellar in helping us spread the word.

A formal press release is forthcoming and we are proud to have the support of folks like Mike Clark, Steve Jordan, Andy Newmark, Butch Vig, and more to help us raise awareness. The response has already been wonderful but we still have more work to do. Stay tuned.

Please donate - and spread the word! No contribution is too small and every penny makes a difference. 

Clyde Stubblefield helped change the way that drummers play and approach funk and groove drumming. He created many innovative and creative grooves that are still challenging drummers today. That's mind-boggling on many levels for those of us who love the power of the drum.

He is also, at age 67, coping with a lot of stress to stay working. He has to. You can make a difference. We all can. Please join us. Thanks!

[Daniel Heier]

This is great Dave! I was really pleased to see how much the chipin dollar amount has jumped and will continue too. Clyde deserves it. He is a great guy and I will never forget the time some drummer friends and I got to hang with you and Clyde after the Randy Sabien gig a year back or so. His stories of touring with James Brown were priceless to hear from the funky drummer himself.

Of course the other great thing was hearing the groove pour out of his soul and through his sticks. My only reaction was "WOW!" All of my friends and I were amazed by the control of all of those ghost notes. Often when I do a soundcheck I like to play the Cold Sweat groove and bass players go crazy and they want to sound check to that groove every time.

Thanks to you Dave and everyone involved with The Coalition for Clyde Stubblefield. It is obvious Clyde has helped out so many musicians and giving back to Clyde is the least we can all do.

[Bart Elliott]

Hot of the Grill

http://www.drummercafe.com/music-industry/news/new-artist-coalition-formed-to-assist-clyde-stubblefield-the-funky-drummer.html

[David Stanoch]

Thanks Bart, for your stellar support.

Today was momentous for us. As you know, we've been trying to find the "right fit" to benefit Clyde for over a year. Today, with the press releases and the news that in the past few days Steve Gadd, Questlove, Steve Jordan, Keith Carlock, David Garibaldi (AND Tower of Power as a whole) all signed on, along with the rest of our already stellar support list, to The Coalition For Clyde Stubblefield, represents a victory in the vision we share to spread the word and benefit our brother, our mentor, our friend.

Today was also the day that Vic Firth, Inc. posted this article in the Exchange that I was invited to contribute to support the cause by VF's Mark Wessels:

http://www.vicfirth.com/exchange/2010/09/09/where-old-school-meets-new-the-timeless-rhythm-of-clyde-stubblefield/]http://www.vicfirth.com/exchange/2010/09/09/where-old-school-meets-new-the-timeless-rhythm-of-clyde-stubblefield/

I hope folks here will take the time to read and enjoy it and perhaps consider lending a hand and spreading the word.

I can't say enough about how much the family at Vic Firth has helped us behind the scenes, especially Joe Testa, who was relentlessly energetic in helping to connect us with several of our new "heavy-hitters". Their presence raises the profile of the event to a higher level and we appreciate their generosity, just as we appreciate yours.

Cheers!

http://clydestubblefield.chipin.com/clyde-stubblefield]http://clydestubblefield.chipin.com/clyde-stubblefield

[David Stanoch]

Greetings all,

A few new events coming up I'd like to bring to everyone's attention...

On Tuesday, March 29th, Clyde will be appearing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, backing up Chuck D. of Public Enemy.  http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/]http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/  (If you miss it live, be sure to check the NBC website later the same week to catch a rebroadcast!)

We look forward to seeing Questlove and his hero, Clyde, together on the same show!

If you are in the New York City area, check out Clyde performing live w/an all-Star band at the Brooklyn Bowl (where Questlove also DJ's) later the same evening after the show's taping! This will be a rare opportunity to see Clyde up close & personal, live in New York!

Here is information on this FREE event (which includes a party viewing of the Fallon show that evening as well!):

http://www.ticketfly.com/event/35667/]http://www.ticketfly.com/event/35667/

And, if you're in the Twin Cities/MN area on Thursday, March 31st, the school I teach at, McNally Smith College of Music, is sponsoring an event featuring students from our new Hip-Hop Studies program to help raise funds for The Coalition for Clyde Stubblefield's "Give the Drummer Some!" campaign at The Cause Spirits and Soundbar in uptown Minneapolis .

Here's the MSCM press release:

http://www.mcnallysmith.edu/newsevents/default.aspx?NewsID=248]http://www.mcnallysmith.edu/newsevents/default.aspx?NewsID=248

And a link to the club:

http://www.spiritsandsound.com/?p=579]http://www.spiritsandsound.com/?p=579

Please join us if you're able - I'd love to see you there!

And, if you would like to chipin at anytime, or help us spread the word, please know we deeply appreciate your kindness, caring and support.

http://clydestubblefield.chipin.com/clyde-stubblefield]http://clydestubblefield.chipin.com/clyde-stubblefield

Should be a great week for Clyde.  :)

[Hannah Ford]

Thanks for the update David!

Hannah

[KevinD]

Interesting article on Mr. Stubblefield in the NY Times today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/arts/music/clyde-stubblefield-a-drummer-aims-for-royalties.html]http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/arts/music/clyde-stubblefield-a-drummer-aims-for-royalties.html

A good portion of the focus of this piece surrounds the question of whether he is due royalties for some of his signature grooves that have been sampled in the past 20 years. That in itself opens up a whole other set of legal and royalty issues It also mentions his appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show.

[David Stanoch]

Interesting article on Mr. Stubblefield in the NY Times today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/arts/music/clyde-stubblefield-a-drummer-aims-for-royalties.html]http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/arts/music/clyde-stubblefield-a-drummer-aims-for-royalties.html

A good portion of the focus of this piece surrounds the question of whether he is due royalties for some of his signature grooves that have been sampled in the past 20 years. That in itself opens up a whole other set of legal and royalty issues It also mentions his appearance on the Jimmy Fallon show.

Thx for posting that Kevin, I just stopped by to do that myself. I go into detail on that subject in the piece I wrote on Clyde for the Vic Firth Exchange, which is linked above.

( http://www.vicfirth.com/exchange/2010/09/09/where-old-school-meets-new-the-timeless-rhythm-of-clyde-stubblefield/]http://www.vicfirth.com/exchange/2010/09/09/where-old-school-meets-new-the-timeless-rhythm-of-clyde-stubblefield/ )

It's a slippery slope historically and, of course, the musical situation at hand makes a big difference which is why you'd never see the drummer getting writing credit for their contribution in James Brown's camp (he never credited the musicians on the records either, for that matter, in his formative years) vs. a true band situation like Van Halen was in the beginning where they shared the writing and royalty credit for their songs.

It should be stressed, if I haven't said it here before, that Clyde has never complained about getting paid for the use of samples of beats he played on that he didn't own the rights to but rather disappointed that he hasn't received the credit. Being a musician who still works to pay his bills, he feels - and rightly so - that the credit would be helpful in advancing his potential to work on a continued high level.

The man has Medicare to assist his treatment. The Coalition exists to help cushion him when he might be indisposed from working for periods of time due to complications in his ongoing condition.

Questlove is a hard man to reach. He's onboard with supporting the Coalition, which we all appreciate greatly. If we could get him to tweet about the chipin campaign to his large amount of followers I'm sure we'd see an enormous spike in contributions. I know he's excited to play with his hero tonight on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, I just hope someone gives him the message. I'm sure he'd flip the switch to help.

Note to Bart: Thank you, brother, for including news of Clyde's Fallon appearance and reminding folks about the Give the Drummer Some! campaign in today's PRess Roll. Much appreciated!!!

[Hannah Ford]

David,

On a break with "White Noise"...just dropped "Q" a tweet regarding "Give the Drummer Some"...hopefully he'll check it before the show.

Thanks for all you do!!!!

Hannah

[David Stanoch]

David,

On a break with "White Noise"...just dropped "Q" a tweet regarding "Give the Drummer Some"...hopefully he'll check it before the show.

Thanks for all you do!!!!

Hannah

Thanks so much, Hannah! You. Are. Awesome. I hope he sees it!  8)

Last night NBC stood for "Nice Backbeat, Clyde!" It was heartwarming to see the props bestowed on Clyde Stubblefield by Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Chuck D., and the studio audience.

Questlove broke out a vintage Yamaha kit for Clyde who was set up for the show in a featured spot in front of The Roots bandstand. He was introduced by Jimmy in the opening segment and jammed w/the band on the breaks. Later he was featured in the musical segment w/the Copyright Criminals All-Star Band featuring Clyde, Chuck D., Questlove, Black Thought & Eclectic Method.

You can watch the whole episode here:

http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/tuesday-march-29-2011/1316671/]http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/tuesday-march-29-2011/1316671/

Enjoy!