Bob Gatzen is highly respected as a product innovator and music producer. He is well known for is dedication to the advancement of the Arts. Bob, along with famed drummer, Billy Ashbaugh is spearheading the START project.
START is an outgrowth of the “Inspiring Drummers Video Series” Bob created and produced for Warner Bros. Music Publishing. The latest IDS release entitled, “Takin’ Care of Business”, features drummer, Bill Ashbaugh and the musical group, ‘NSYNC. The Video series is distributed worldwide.
As the TCB project developed, the Ashbaugh/Gatzen team had the good fortune of meeting the support of Johnny Wright Entertainment, Jive Records, and the ‘NSYNC group. A Close friendship ensued, and the two drummers have decided to combine their talent to motivate young children to think creatively through playing the drums.
TALENT
The core group is Billy Ashbaugh, the resourceful, dedicated, pragmatic, famous touring drummer, and Bob Gatzen, music/video producer, drum guru, inventor, idea man. Together they are a portrayal of two very different idea makers that make their ideas happen. Guest artists and celebrities will accompany the drum duo along their musical journey.
When student Branden O. Gayle, a 4th grader, was asked what he thought of the START program, his response was, "It really clicked with me. I don't play the drums now, but I would love to be a professional drummer some day, and this really inspired me."
Bob Gatzen, an extremely gifted, multi-talented individual known and respected throughout the Percussion industry as an “Idea Person” and a drum scientist. Bob is a creative who switches effortlessly between retail music sales, product design, music production, and performance.
Recently, I was asked the question, "What is the single most important objective of START?"
My reply was, "to inspire everyone, children and adults, to apply a creative approach in everything they do. As children we have this natural talent for creativity and if we use it, than a part of that 10 year old stays with us through life."
Musical accomplishments include:
Warner Bros. Music Videos, producer of the “Inspiring Drummer Series”
Featured artist on Warner Bros. Best selling video “Drum Tuning, Sound and Design”,and the new,“Drum Tuning Simplified”for early 2004 release
Beginning drum set video Series for 8-12 year old children
Music scoring for radio, TV Spots and national campaign ads.
Original music for audio CD in both education and entertainment fields.
Clinician presenting exposure programs in public schools, clinics in retail music stores, drum festivals throughout the USA, including multiple appearances at the Percussive Art Society Nation Conventions (PASIC)
Numerous spotlight in drum magazines worldwide
Numerous Features in the prestigious, Modern Drummer Magazine and appearances at their drum festivals.
Currently releasing a Warner Bros. solo CD project. entitled, “Prior Art” featuring the Baschet Sound Sculptures
Product Innovation /Design - Bob has made impressive achievements for his consulting and design work.
Noble & Cooley Drum Co.
Zildjian Cymbal Company
DW Drum Co.
Shure Microphones
Evans Drum Heads
Kaman Music Corporation
Regal Tip Drum Sticks
DrumSlinger Drum Cases
DrumFrame Ltd., his own company introducing a revolutionary new way to play the drums.
Bob holds numerous USA patents licensed to companies such as:
Yamaha Corp.
Mapex Drums
D’Addario Company
Noble & Cooley Drum Company
Kaman Corporation
Bob Continues to work as a design consultant for many other companies as well.
In 2002, Bob was awarded the prestigious German Messe M.I.P.A. Award and Gig Magazine’s Readers Poll, Most Innovative Percussion Product of the Year award.
In 2005, Bob received the Modern Drummer Magazine, "Editor's Achievement Award" for his vast contribution to the percussion industry.
Billy Ashbaugh has performed in front of more people than just about any other drummer in the world. He is the drummer for the ‘NSYNC band and has been with them from the beginning. Ashbaugh is an inspiring drummer because his hard work, dedication, and relentless pursuit for perfection has catapulted him from the local club scene to playing in the most popular band in the world. Billy is a stellar drummer that ranks with the industry’s best, and his career well on its way, he now feels compelled to give something back to the music industry by reaching out to the youth with the message; anything is possible with hard work and resourcefulness. His list of appearances and credits speaks for itself.
"START is designed to help motivate kids to think creatively. With the use of drumming as our universal language, we hope to send everyone away with the powerful message that 'thinking creatively' is something that can benefit every aspect of your life."
Performance Credits:
50+ TV appearances including:
Super Bowl Half Time Show
The Tonight Show (6 times)
The Rosie O’Donnell Show (6 times)
Good Morning America (3 times)
HBO & Pay-Per-View Concert Specials
Saturday Night Live
Disney Channel Concert Specials (2 times)
Grammy Awards
Blockbuster Awards
Billboard Awards
MTV Awards
Artist performed with:
SNAP
‘NSYNC
Britney Spears
Jordon Knight
Samantha Mumba
Aaron Carter
Pat Benatar
Product Endorsements:
DW
Paiste
Evans Drumheads
Vic Firth
DrumFrame
Latin Percussion
Shure Brothers
PureSound Perc.
E-Pad!
Levy Case Co.
Warner Bros. Publications
Received the key to city and a plaque from Osceola County School System for clinics
Worked with Radio Disney
Campaign to reach the kids – House of Blues, Respect Campaign
Clinic tour in May including Modern Drummer Magazine Festival
Performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) 2001
Featured twice in Modern Drummer Magazine & on MD online & Drum Magazine
News coverage on FOX 61 & various news papers
The "START WITH THE ARTS" program at my school had the children mesmerized.
The children loved helping to create the drum composition where they could choose from a menu of suggestions determining how the drum duo would play. Most of the students were in awe just being in the same room with two professional drummers and two drum sets. It meant a lot to the children when they were told that everyone had creativity and when it was discussed how ideas are made and developed. This program left quite an impression on my students; they are still talking about it!
After the program, we talked about other subjects where they could apply the creative process, especially in their writing. It meant a lot for them to hear about being creative and working hard from two people who just wowed them with their drum performances. The next time their reading teacher talks to them about developing their ideas in reading, they will have a much better understanding of what its' like to get an idea and how to develop it. Many of the children left the program inspired to do more in music and some now want to play the drums!
Jeanne Marker, Brunton Elementary School, Springfield, MA
