15th Annual Chicago Show Coming in May

The 15th Annual International Vintage and Custom Drum Show (also known as the Chicago Show) is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, 2005 at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St Charles, Illinois. Show hours are from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and general admission is $10.00 per day.

According to show organizer Rob Cook, this year's show is shaping up to be the best ever with commitments for every inch of available exhibit space as well as a line-up of presentations confirmed months in advance. "2004 was a landmark for our show, breaking the 1,000-person attendance barrier for the first time," Cook comments. "For this year's 15th Anniversary show, there will be more clinics and more exhibits. And, so visitors won't miss a thing, there will be video monitors and video projection throughout the facility, which will feature clinic coverage, raffle information, schedule notes and highlights of past shows. In addition, a special anniversary program will be distributed free of charge to all attendees and exhibitors."

"One of the biggest highlights of the show will certainly be the drum clinics," adds Cook. "This year, all the featured artists are Chicago guys-- Bun E. Carlos, Gregg Potter, Joel Spencer, Donny Osborne, Todd Sucherman and Paul Wertico. A couple of them are now living elsewhere, but all grew up and started their drumming careers in the Chicago area. Plus, we've been able to put together an exclusive, multi-media presentation with Dick Schory, who was the marketing genius at Ludwig during their 1960's heyday and who coined the phrases 'Total Percussion' and 'The Most Famous Name On Drums'."

Another key event of the show will be a driving tour of historic percussion sites in and around Chicago on the Monday following the show, including the former homes of the Ludwig Drum Co., the Slingerland Drum Co., Gene Krupa's burial site and more significant locations. The tour has been offered only twice in the past 15 years.

As of press time, scheduled performances and events include:

Saturday

• Bun E Carlos (Cheap Trick)
• Gregg Potter (top Chicago studio/live rock drummer)
• Donny Osborne (Mel Torme) {DW and Zildjian]

Sunday

• Joel Spencer (top Chicago jazz drummer and teacher)
• Dick Schory (Former Ludwig Director of Marketing)
• Todd Sucherman (Styx)
• Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny)

Monday

• A driving tour of Chicago's historic percussion sites

Additional sponsoring companies include Modern Drummer Magazine, Not So Modern Drummer Magazine, Drum Workshop, Ludwig Drum Company, Classic Drummer Magazine and Rebeats.

The 2005 Chicago Show also boasts the largest roster of exhibitors in the 15 year history of the event; including companies such as Rebeats, #1 Drum Lessons, Daniel Martinson, JC Custom Drums, Max Heads, Jim Murray & Bill Miller, Cymbalholic, Beni Drum Co., ticsandbeats, David Huelsing, Conga Hut, Roland Corp., Tempus, Drum Cellar, Maryland Drum Co., CamcoDrummer.com, TRS Innovations, Chuck Scalia, Bosphorus Cymbals USA, Steve Maxwell Vintage & Custom Drums, Craviotto Drum Co.,JP2 Creations, Carl Woldman, Jim Krutz, Huber-Breese Music, Drum Workshop, Drum Solo, Thunder-Echo Drums, Jamie Solich, Phattie Drums, Mark Hamon, JamTec, Woodstock Vintage Drums, Lee Ernst, Classic Drummer Magazine, Vaughncraft Percussion, BEiiMEiiUP STUFF, LLC, Puresound, No t So Modern Drummer, Ludwig Drum Company, Play Drums, Tim O'Hara, RatTrap Drums and Bun E Carlos & Randy Rainwater.