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The first time I ever heard Bohemian Rhapsody was in the classic scene from Wayne’s World. I thought it was the best rock song ever. I may still think that, and this video only helps to solidify its rank. Special shout-out to my mom at 57 seconds into it.

When was the first time you heard Bohemian Rhapsody?

In thinking more about pursuing drumming in a way I haven’t done before, I’ve given more thought to those players that I admire. Should any of these guys run across this post, please don’t take offense at your placement. I’ll have no qualms bumping you up the list should you contact me.

• 10. Darren King, MuteMath
  

  Have yet to see him live, but any drummer that has to duct tape headphones to his head has to either have serious chops or a muscle control problem. It’s most of the former, as far as I know. Wikipedia says he’s “well known for intense drum beats that showcase a vast amount of energy.”

• 9. Will Champion, Coldplay
  

  Steady. Deceptively simple yet evocative. As with all those in this list, he’s a perfect fit for the band he’s in.

• 8. Keith Moon, The Who
  

  Some might think, “Really, Moon is this low?” Well, I’m not well aquainted with The Who oeuvre, but I know he had the chops. And have you heard about the Keith Moon biopic staring Mike Myers?

• 7. Larry Mullen, Jr., U2
  

  A working-man’s drummer. Steady as a rock. Never overplays. Does exactly what is necessary. In some respects, he reminds me of Ringo Starr: the bedrock player for the world’s biggest band.

• 6. Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters
  

  A quintessential rock drummer. A perfect blend of simple complexity. Aggressive without being overbearing. Just knows how to rock.

• 5. Stewart Copeland, The Police
  

  A musician, then a drummer; a rare breed indeed. Purposefully and tastefully plays nearly anything that isn’t four-on-the-floor, snare-on-two-and-four kinds of beats. Inimitable.

• 4. John Bonham, Led Zeppelin
  

  Because no respectable drummer can make a list like this and not include Bonzo. A drummer to be emulated (at least stylistically).

• 3. Dominic Howard, Muse
  

  Fat. Powerful. Heavy. Orchestral. Emotive. Impressive. The more I listen, the more I want to be that kind of drummer. And possibly placed so high in the list because he’s a recent influence.

• 2. Carter Beauford, Dave Matthews Band
  

  Carter was one of my early drumming heroes. One of the most technically skilled drummers in the business. He plays busy, but it works perfectly as part of DMB. I always have and always will marvel at his abilities.

• 1. Brandon Graves, Waterdeep
  

  [Upper left in photo] You probably haven’t heard of Brandon. The first time I ever heard him play a solo, on Waterdeep’s Live at the New Earth, I was sure I was going to quit playing drums because I couldn’t imagine ever being that good. Alternately, I thought he might have been a multi-armed Hindu deity, until seeing him perform live. (He’s not). To me, his style, technical proficiency, and flat-out ability to rock are what I aspire to.

I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere in the last few years I lost my love for playing music. I lost the thrill and the joy that comes from creating something entirely new from nothing, from stewing in a jam until it boils into something delicious.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve played drums for worship services for a very long time now and have enjoyed it, but there’s something about playing other people’s music that stifles creativity. In other words, I don’t think I’d do well for the long haul in a cover band.

But it was a Coldplay concert about a month ago that kicked me in the face with reality. I can do that, I thought. And why not? What’s holding me back?

For the longest time I doubted myself, thinking I could never be good enough to play in a band, on the weekends, out in public, despite the words of praise received from others (to which I would just shake my head and think, You must not know any good drummers then).  Then I recalled: I play for about 1500 people every week. I’ve played for almost 14 years. And if I weren’t getting the picture, a large swath of disparate musical friends started asking me, separately but all within the recent same time period, “We need to get together and play.”

And a spark lit an ember.

The possibility of making music, the re-engagement of that feeling I had when playing, the hope of making more of this gift… it made the future bright. And I find myself listening to music with a new appreciation, with a motivation to practice (which I’ve seldom had before), and with a certain amount of giddiness, like the first time I ever wailed on my first set.

A group of musicians (and friends) are hopefully getting together this Friday, simply to play music. No agenda. No purpose. Just fun. Just music. And we’re hoping to make a regular thing of it. (And if you want to join in, leave a comment). In thinking about who to invite, I realized I know a lot of good musicians. That has to mean something, right?

And other events are occurring that make me think I’m on the right path, things that might make that ember blaze. But that’s all I can say right now about that…

To close: Find an outlet for the thing that cries to be released from your heart, no matter if it’s part of your job or not. Paint if you have to paint. Write if you have to write. Take photos if you have take photos. Find your outlet. You have too little time left not to.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot and Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek have teamed up to create Fiction Family. I don’t even have to hear the music to know I’m going to like it. I’d buy it sound unheard. But, they’ve released one song for free.

Or you can just watch the video:

Fiction Family – When She’s Near from ATO Records on Vimeo.