Ashton Neckar is 7 years old. He’s the son of one of my childhood friends, and qualifies as the youngest player I know. To my surprise, when I recently asked him who or what inspired him to play drums, he said it was me. In 2005 Ashton and his Dad visited my wife and I in our then Santa Cruz mountain home. The views at this place could inspire anyone to do just about anything. Ashton was very drawn to the remote scenery and to the idea that Big Foot might be lurking in the wooded surroundings, as I recall. As Ashton recalls it, he really liked my drum kit, a 6 piece Premier Signia set. He tells me that it was during this visit that he decided that drumming looked like fun.
Today Ashton plays in a band with his father Lance and 12 year old brother Cameron. I had an opportunity to catch them at a rehearsal a few months ago, during which they covered tunes by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Zeppelin. Ashton was playing on the huge 8 piece drum kit of a friend. Once I got past the visual of his tiny 7 year old body sitting at the helm of this monster Pearl drum set, I quickly noticed his affinity for holding down the grove. I was also pleased to notice that he had little fear for experimental fills. The fun part, however, was getting him to act silly while he was playing, a skill he hasn’t yet mastered to the point of being able to hold good time simultaneously.
Ashton practices at home on a borrowed vintage Pearl set. He informed me that this will soon change, as he’s about to acquire a new trap set, most likely a Pearl kit. He tells me that one of his favorite drummers is Vinnie Paul of Pantera fame, with whom he is a hometown neighbor and acquaintance. Ashton is a young player that I’ll be keeping an eye on. His potential and natural gift is frighteningly good.
Roberto
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