(PRWEB) April 17, 2006 -- Local drum designer, Kevin Reed and his mother, Jane, co-owners of ThunderEcho Drums, are excited to be exhibiting their Trash Kat drum at the International Association of Pan 2nd Annual Steel Drum Convention and Festival in Akron, Ohio.
“We share many similarities with pan builders,” said Reed. “They construct a melodious instrument from a 55-gallon oil drum, while we build a resonant floor drum out of a 20-gallon garbage can,” adding with a smile, “ I guess you could say we are all in the recycled music business!”
Steel drum orchestras have been steadily gaining popularity in the US since the 1940’s. More recently has the use of the Trash Kat, although in somewhat broader styles of music. Not only has the Kat been endorsed by one of Chicago’s popular steel drum bands, Od Tapo Imi, world-class drummers such as John Mahon plays one in his personal studio, and Adrian Young is drumming a Kat in live venues with his side project, the punk/pop group Bow Wow Wow.
ThunderEcho Drums will also present one of the music clinics offered at the Convention. The varied sounds and versatile use of the Trash Kat will be demonstrated by percussionist, Tom Fries, on Sunday, April 30th at 10:00 am. Trash Kat's creator and drummer, Kevin Reed will also be introduced with a brief story of how drumming was the focus of more than 2500 therapy sessions during his remarkable recovery from a catastrophic work accident and 75-day coma.
The International Association of Pan (IAP) 2nd Annual Steel Drum Convention and Festival is open to the public and begins with opening ceremonies and a Caribbean carnival fashion extravaganza on Friday, April 28th at 7;00 pm in the Radisson Hotel Ballroom. The convention, concerts and clinics will be held at the John S. Knight Center on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th. Admission fees will used to support the ongoing programs of IAP. Group rates are available.
For more information about attending the 2nd Annual Steel Drum Convention including the Friday opening night ceremonies and festival please call Angel Bice, International Association of Pan, 330-351-1152. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday events scheduled at the John S. Knight Center may also be purchased online at
www.JohnSKnightCenter.org.
For more information about The Trash Kat or ThunderEcho Drums, please call Jane Garson Reed, 330.225.1488 or visit their website at
www.ThunderEchoDrums.com “ThunderEcho,”
“Trash Kat,” and the Trash Kat logo are trademarks of ThunderEcho Drums.
About ThunderEcho Drums:
ThunderEcho Drums’ workshop is located in Medina, Ohio. Co-owners Kevin Reed and his mother Jane have been building and selling the Trash Kat nationally since May, 2005. Reed created the drum while recovering from a catastrophic work injury and ensuing 75-day coma.
