Texas BigBeat

 Drummers Unite to Make a Difference
for Our Youth, Our Families and Our Communities!
Sunday, November 2, 2008


Texas BigBeat is a drumming charity event raising funds to provide music and educational programs for underprivileged, special needs and at-risk children so that they can create a positive and productive future for themselves. Proceeds from this event go to Cherish Our Children International (COCI) a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization for educational programs in the greater Houston area.   

Texas BigBeat 2007:

·         The 1st Annual Texas BigBeat event was held on Sunday, October 21, 2007 at the Humble Civic Arena.  438 drummers from as far away as Mexico gathered to play drumsets simultaenously in an attempt to break the current Guinness World Record held by the Woodstick event in Seattle.  In 2006 Woodstick set the record (their 4th year) with 533 drummers!  Seattle had 264 drummers their first year.  Texas BigBeat set an awesome record for their first year and still has the vision for claiming the world record. 

·         The Texas BigBeat honors drummers of all ages and all levels for their love of drumming and provides them with an opportunity to have their drumming make a difference in our communities.  Over $36,000 has been raised for an educational program entitled "No More Victims" which helps children whose parents are incarcerated to learn how to create a positive and productive future for themselves.  Donations are still coming in due to the many drummers who created their own "Drummer's Page" at www.firstgiving.com/cherishourchildren.  You can still make a donation in honor of one of the drummers who participated in Texas BigBeat 2007.

438 drummers gathered at the Humble Civic Arena on Sunday to express their passion for drumming while raising money for Cherish Our Children International.  Over $36,000 was raised to support the “No More Victims” program in providing educational programs for at-risk children who have grown up around violence and can now learn how to create a positive and productive future for themselves.  

Rod Ryan, 94.5 “The Buzz”, kicked things off with a Texas size welcome and drum roll and played throughout the event right on stage.  Although we fell short 96 drummers (we needed each and every one of you!), the energy, enthusiasm and experience was priceless.  We set an awesome first year record for Texas.

Under the direction of Dr. Aubrey Tucker, conductor of the Houston Dynamo pep band, the drummers played along to Deep in the Heart of Texas, Sharp-Dresssed Man, Cold Shot, Hawaii Five-O, Wipe Out, On the Road Again, We Will Rock You, Kashmere and the Texas BigBeat 101.

There were drummers of all ages, all levels, including “Ringo Rod” and Sharkey from the Aquarium Restaurant.   Two drummers flew in from Mexico just for the event and drummers drove in from as far away as Louisiana.

Thanks to ALL THE DRUMMERS who came out to be part of the first ever Texas BigBeat event! We look forward to seeing all of you again next year!

Thanks to all the sponsors who helped to make this event possible: Rod Ryan Show -94.5 “The Buzz”, Promark, Yamaha, Zildjian, Mapex, HPCustom Drums, Paiste, Sabian, Gretsch, Toca, Remo, DrumFun, Evans, Gibraltar, Houston Band Coalition, Barry Sea Paradox, Laff Spot, T.F. Hudgins, Inc., Ken Moore Insurance Agency, Steven Kay Media, Ballyhoo Screenprinting & Graphics, Aquarium Restaurant, Oce Printing and Imaging Solutions, Heartland Payment Systems, Nicole Compte Photography, Dave Ely Photography, Moving Image Productions, Markula Movies, Hampton Inn Humble, Continental Airlines, Pierpont Communications, Society for the Performing Arts, Allen Samuel Dodge Katy, Alliance Strategic Business Services, Bellaire Men’s Club, Giles Communications, Wicked PR, and Sealy Properties.

And the incredible volunteers who donated countless hours including Arlene Levy (Cherish Our Children), Rosie Johnston, Veronica Butler, Kathy Steck, Staci Stokes, Sara Gonzales, David Duerr, Eric Smith, Shawn Morris, Angelina Johnston, George McCarthy, Randy McKinney, Paul Barone, Steve Arnold, Lyn Green, Lou Wilcox, Gene Luna, Brian Waites, Dave Ely, Candace Jordan, William Leu, Brian Pappas, Linda Ely, Craig Brandenburg, Raul Mendez, Wilberth Romero, Joel Moreno, Jennifer Isadore, Ellie Demis, Mary Demis, Andrew Surratt, Christine Hall, Chris Harris, Heather Robertson, Lance Smith, Ida Balderas, Marisala Rodriguez, John Ellis, Leah Jorewicz, Hanai Orozco, Biania Vasquez, Jennifer Levy, Jerry Levy, Tzan Alexander, Tim Beaugh, Joy Symington, Tracy Wilcox, Clarette Emmanuel, Alyssa Springer, Bryon Springer, Zachary Sellers, Boris Guerara, Debra Linn, Tina McIntyre, Lorelei Becktell, Chris Befeld, Ryan Arnett, Larry Shudra, Alex Almanza, Rosalinda Alexander, Joy Beaugh, Hannah  Beaugh, Gracie Beaugh

Special thanks to Mike Henry, Earnest Potts and Jim Calvert from the Percussion Center for working way beyond their normal hours and normal duties to pull this event off.

Special Thanks to Rod Ryan, 94.5 “The Buzz”.  Rod, Theresa, Jessica and Mark – YOU ROCK!  Thank you, Rod, for emceeing and being on stage with us, for promoting the event, seeing the vision!   Thanks to Theresa for being there to play the Texas BigBeat.  You look awesome playing the drums!  Thanks to Mark for coming out to the event as well and taking the great photos and video of the event!  And thanks to Jessica for getting us on the air and helping to get the word out to your awesome listening audience.  WE COULD NOT HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT YOU GUYS!  We want you with us again next year!  WE WILL break the record!

There are 140 photos of the Texas BigBeat posted at http://rodryan.thebuzz.com/pages/drum.html  along with 2 videos of the event.

Congratulations to the Texas BigBeat top fundraisers:  
1st Place – Mario Rodriguez
2nd Place – Mike Evans
3rd Place - Joanne Balagtas
4th Place – Della Mullan
5th Place – Patricia Gras
6th Place – Sara Gonzales