Give the Drummer Some is a unique event presented by Tune In & Tune Up (T-2), an organization that offers medical and mental health assistance to individuals in the RI music business. Six reputable drummers and one percussionist will be gracing The Met stage on May 4 to celebrate the art of drumming, bring awareness to mental health, and raise funds for the newly confirmed 501(c)3 organization.
“DC (Don Culp) pitched this idea last fall in order to give overdue recognition to our local drummers,” T-2 co-chair Dr. Al Puerini said about the origins of the idea. “This idea came to me during COVID,” Culp explained. “I presented it to the board about eight months ago, and the whole thing started to come together.” The setup will be different from most performances. Drummers are usually in the back, keeping the beat while the players up front garner most of the attention. Give the Drummer Some flips that idea and highlights the drummer. Each drummer will perform three songs with a backing band of their choice, throwing a solo somewhere in their set. The event will be packed with everything planned to the minute. There will be a jam session led by Issa Coulibaly, a chance to meet the T-2 board of directors, and a presentation of a lifetime achievement award. “The event will start with a short speaking program and great drummer intros from DC,” Puerini says. “People can look forward to an atmosphere full of good music, fun, and networking.” “A lot of thought is being put into making this event memorable,” Culp adds.
T-2 is still connected with Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, but last year branched out on their own by becoming an independent non-profit organization. To help raise more money, they are raffling off a handmade Djembe drum signed by each drummer (made by Everyone’s Drumming Company in VT), and attendees can make an extra donation at the door if they choose. “We were encouraged to go our separate way and grow,” Culp says. “The progress we’ve made has been unbelievable. The strength of the board is like a band that has everything together. We’re not afraid to ask questions, and it’s all supportive. Everyone has a voice and a vote for everything.” Drums are an unforgivably loud instrument and concerts are usually high-volume events. Hearing loss is an issue many musicians and concert fans alike face. Hearing protection at shows isn’t as common as it should be. To help combat this, foam earplugs will be available to everyone at the show. “Consistent exposure to high sound levels at concerts can lead to permanent hearing damage,” Puerini says. “Wearing hearing protection ensures you can continue to enjoy music safely for years to come. Using foam earplugs at concerts isn’t just smart — it’s essential. Safeguard your hearing today to preserve your ability to enjoy music tomorrow.”
Culp says that the event name was taken from the song “Cold Sweat” by James Brown because of Brown’s homage to the drummer. “In this day and age of AI and technology being used, there’s less emphasis on the drummer,” Culp explains. “People sometimes take the drummer for granted. The foundation of the song starts with the groove and the beat. ”
Issa Coulibaly is a Master Djembe Drummer who began studying the djembe and djun djun when he was 11 in his home city of Bamako, Mali. He travels from Maine to Puerto Rico, facilitating retreats and performing as the lead drummer and Musical Director for a variety of African dance troupes. Issa’s CD debut, Foliba highlights his flamboyant playing chops, arrangement skills, and solid vocal style.
Rick Couto started in the ‘70s with the underground band Powerhouse, which expanded/morphed into Rizzz, one of the finest and most successful RI bands of the era. He is currently a member of Mark Cutler’s band Men Of Great Courage and drummer for The Schemers, with whom he was inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame in 2015. He also performs occasionally with Rizzz reunion lineups and was inducted a second time into the Hall of Fame with them in 2017.
Don “DC” Culp started out in the ‘80s with Rick Bellaire & The Backbeats, DC moved on to Steve Smith & The Nakeds with whom he was inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame in 2013. He went on to play with James Montgomery, Ken Lyon, Gary “US” Bonds, Mike Reno of Loverboy, and Jimi Jamison of Survivor. He is a music educator conducting drum circles and teaching rhythm/ songwriting workshops locally in public schools and around the country, including workshops with Gov’t Mule drummer Matt Abts. He currently performs with Allman Bros. tribute band The Troublemakers and tours with John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band.
Joe Groves began playing drums at 8 years old and hasn’t stopped since. He’s played with many area bands including Rick Mendes & Blueswagon with former Roomful of Blues members (1998-2002), The Senders (2002-2005), and since 2005, Steve Smith & The Nakeds, with whom he was inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Notable artists he’s performed with include Elliot Easton of The Cars, Clarence Clemons, Southside Johnny, Tito Puente Jr., The Cowsills, and Billy Gilman.
Mike Labelle’s career started out in the early ‘80s with Trixster, an ‘HJY-style cover band, but he quickly moved on to the blues with Marci Chevian & The Stone Crushers. In 2003, guitarist Neal Vitullo gave him the thumbs up to take the drum chair in Neal & The Vipers. Twenty-one years later, he remains with the band, and in 2019 they were inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame. Mike “Stumpy” Necktritz started out in RI bands in 1987 with Big By X-Mas with 2-time Grammy winner David Rawlings. He next joined The Flower Shop with Sarah Lupo, then the reggae/funk trio Sex Magic with John Booth and Peter Breen. In 1989, while playing with the Spinal Tap-informed Friendly Dragons, he was spotted by RI punk rock stalwarts Neutral Nation who offered him their soon-to-be vacant drum chair. In the late ‘90s, he formed the funk band Herbal Nation, at times an 11-piece group, featuring many local luminaries as well as members of James Brown’s band and Parliament-Funkadelic. They released an album in 2004.
“Our whole lives, we’ve been reprimanded for banging on things and making noise,” Culp concludes. “The drums are the foundation of the temple, which is the song. If the drums are weak, the song is weak. The drums are what makes people dance. There’s nothing more motivating than making people respond to a human being making them move. The drummer is hidden behind everyone, and people take them for granted. On May 4, we’re gonna give the drummer some.” •
Give the Drummer Some takes place May 4 at 4 pm at The Met. Tickets are $20. Visit tuneinandtuneup.com for more information.
