Endorsements and Gear
I've been fortunate enough to have some companies sponsor me with endorsements in the past and I thank them for their ongoing support. It's nice to recieve gear free or at a big discount. It helps the pocketbook.
 
Yamaha Drums  Big thanks to Ken Infanti and Sean Browne of Yamaha Canada!
Sabian Cymbals Meductic, New Brunswick, Canada : Since 1996
Toca Percussion
Gibraltar Hardware
 
 

Gear

So here's what I use for the gigs. Depending on what the gig calls for, I use a different combination of gear. I feel that if a drummer wants to be versatile, he or she needs to be aware of what their abilities are, what the gig calls for, and what other peripheral equipment can she take to the gig in order to be able to offer more color to the material she's playing. I have always looked at drumming as a color palate for the ears. So in order to be able to provide a vast array of sounds, one must have the colors to produce them. Therefore, I like to bring some different percussion gear to the gig. I'll bring assorted shakers, tambourines, noisemakers so the others may get into the groove. A lot of times, I'll bring congas, bongos, or other drums that I'll set up beside my hi hats and have them available for whatever inspires me. It's a bit more hauling of gear but it will pay off in the long run. People will know you as a percussionist as well as a kit player. You will get more calls. More calls = more experience. That we all need.

My YAMAHA Maple Custom Absolute Kit.

 

Percussion

As far as the percussion set-up, it varries quite a bit. Depending on the gig, I'll bring any number of things to play. The main drums in the percs.set-up are ...

10" & 11" Toca Ltd. Edition Congas
1 set Gon Bops Bongos (circa '1975)
1 African Djembe
1 Home made Key Chime
Assorted cowbells, shakers, guiros, shekere, bar bells, talking drum, asst. tambourines, etc.

ARTWORK

Here's a few pics of some Kik Drum head artistry that my friend Ramona Knodel painted:

She's a great artist and has painted many drumheads for other players in the last few years.
Email her if you are interested in her work.