Gene Okamoto has left the building! Tomorrow will start his retirement from a monumental career as Product Specialist for Pearl Corporation. Starting in Sales at Drum World in CA, Gene would become a global figure in the drum industry.
standard noun \ˈstan-dərd\ 1. a level of quality or attainment. 2. an idea or thing used as a measure or model in comparative evaluations. This is the word that comes to mind when I think of Gene Okamoto. Over the last 18 years, I’ve witnessed Gene’s constant endeavor to make things better. There’s a reason his knowledge of drum history is revered throughout the industry (and is amazing to witness in person). I’m eternally grateful for everything I’ve gained from simply being in his presence. His retirement is greatly deserved and I wish him a long and adventurous life.
It would be really difficult for me to choose one story that encompasses Gene setting the standard… it’s just something he did every day.
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The Late Night drumming bar is about to get set higher with Kim Thompson on board with Late Night with Seth Myers. Her spot in the drum chair is a continuation set by former late night female drummers (the incredible) Terry Lynn Carrington and Shauney Baby... me and about a billion other drummers will be tuned in to see all that! My cousin recently found a copy of my freshman year annual and sent it to me. I only had my graduating yearbook so I was getting to see it for the first time. Biggest discovery so far: A 22-year old Bill Hicks played one of our proms! The text read that he had been performing since he was 16 and he liked to think of himself as an "amusement engineer" because it looked better on his resume. |
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