Thomasville ‘launching pad’ for drum clinic

Published 2:59 pm Thursday, January 8, 2015

THOMASVILLE — Thomasville native Gareth Hunter, a professional musician, songwriter, composer, producer and philanthropist, will host a free drum clinic for musicians of all ages on Jan. 24.

“I do something like this every year, but I’ve never done it in my hometown,” said Hunter. “From now on, Thomasville will be my launching pad. I’ll test it in my hometown first.”

The event, called “The Groove Theory Drum Clinic,” in addition to Hunter, will feature guest clinicians Jermaine Hall (from Albany) on bass guitar and another Thomasville native, Stanyos Young, on keyboards. It is the first of four clinics, three in the South, between now and September.

The clinic will instruct on basic techniques of play as well as give demonstrations of those techniques in a band setting. A brief question-and-answer session will follow a live performance by the clinicians. But Hunter said the clinic is really more motivational than technical.

“I once was you,” said Hunter, “I walked down the same Thomasville streets, went to the same schools and I want you to know if I can achieve it, you can achieve it, too.

“Everything you need is available right in Thomasville.”

Hunter received his first composing contract at the age of 19 with H&H Records, a branch of A&M Music. Hunter was a child prodigy who played percussion instruments in his father’s band at the age of 3. When he was only 7, Hunter played with the Florida State University Jazz Band and appeared on “Today” when he was 10. His most recent work was “What Do You Do.” Written by Jeff Lewis, composed by Gareth and Leonard Tyson, and produced by Gareth, “What Do You Do” marked his debut as Executive Producer.

The music of the clinic is multicultural, according to Hunter, and has a little of everything, from blues, R&B, hip hop and jazz.

“They all have the same genesis,” said Hunter.

The clinic will be in the Michael Ray Owen Fine Arts Building on 200 North Pinetree Boulevard.

Hunter said, “The whole clinic will take place in the auditorium with a lot of interaction between the clinicians and participants.”

He said to bring “pens and pencils for notes and sticks if you’re bold enough.”

There is no age limit for participants, but Hunter wants to reach adults, in particular, who have put down their instruments and are “getting the itch to pick them up again.”

Hunter wants them to come out and watch and enjoy the music. Participants must register at www.groovetheorydrumclinic.eventbrite.com. This event will be filmed for the HerTube network, covering 14 countries.

Hunter thanked Dr. Dusty Konegay, Thomas County School Superintendent, who Hunter credits for reaching out to him and made the clinic possible. He also thanked Saundra Austin of The Boys and Girls Club/The Teen Center, Ken Staton Music of Atlanta and HerTube for sponsoring the event.

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