About our drum
The attractive and distinctly old-timey bass drum seen in the photo on the start page of our site is a truly unique instrument rich with local history, and deserving of description here.
Originally used by the band at the high school in Ravenna, Ohio beginning in the 1940s, the drum was eventually auctioned off, ending up in the window of the legendary Brady's Cafe in Kent, Ohio. It sat there as a display item until that establishment's closure in the summer of 2002.
When he learned that the drum was again to be put up for auction, Mark got the idea to rev it up after its long hiatus and put it to work in the service of old-time music. After winning the auction, he lovingly restored it and installed a set of genuine synthetic calfskin heads, bringing it back to playing condition after decades of disuse. It has a distinguished and majestic sound.
In 2003, the Bushwhackers commissioned the talented artist Jessica Jones (who happens to be the daughter of Renie) to execute the painting on the outer head, to a design of intertwined roses by Mark.
We are proud to be able to keep a small part of our region's musical history alive through the continued use of this antique drum as our group's centerpiece. We invite you to come see (and hear) it in action sometime!
