You didn't ask, but...

September, 2005

You didn’t ask, but…

I’m nominating Nick Attanasio for the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame!

(This is the initial email I sent out. If you can support this nomination please feel free to write a letter. Both snail mail and email are acceptable means of sending your letter. I thank you in advance!)

Hello Everybody,

We all receive emails that we immediately delete without reading in their entirety, but please make this one the exception. You are all receiving this message because I think your support WILL make a difference!

I'd like to nominate Nick Attanasio for the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame. Some of you might be saying "what place does a rudimental bass drummer have in the PAS Hall of Fame," but I'm going to try to persuade you to support my efforts and get this inspirational man recognized on a stage like never before!

(NICK KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THIS!)

If you ask dozen people who the greatest drumset player in the world is, you'll probably get a dozen answers. If you ask who the greatest marimba player is you'd have the same results. In almost any category you pick the results would be the same. If I ask 100 people who the greatest, most influential rudimental bass drummer in history is, I'll bet 99% would say Nick Attanasio! (We'll save one percent for those who live on another planet!)

In the late 40's and early 50's, Les Parks and Bobby Thompson became friends with Nick. They were charter members of Brooklyn 's legendary Sons of Liberty fife & drum corps and it became their mission to get Nick into the corps to anchor the drum line on bass. When he finally joined they became what many people consider to be the finest drum line in any form of rudimental drumming...period!

Les & Bobby were two of the top drum corps instructors of the day. After drumming with Nick for only a short time, Bobby Thompson's drum lines went from only having bass drums that kept time to adding rudimental bass. Les's lines also followed this trend. And so did everybody else’s drum lines. That means that Nick Attanasio influenced the direction that the modern marching percussion section would follow for years to come.

From a professional drumming standpoint, where have Nick’s students gone? His students have been performers in The Old Guard, The Hellcats and The Disney Corps? Kenny Green is a college professor. His students coordinate and present work shops and clinics promoting the art of rudimental drumming. They are rudimental drumming composers and teachers. And the champions? Let’s just say that Nick’s students have more championships than should be allowed. It is an unwritten rule-if you are serious about studying with Nick, you will win!

When guys from Switzerland come to town they go to Nick for lessons. When the military wants guidance, they call Nick. When Disney needs a bass drum feature, they call Nick. When ANYONE receiving this letter wants to know how to breakdown rudiments in the correct manor or learn the art of bass drumming WE all know we must call Nick!

Whether it is a formal lesson at his home or private bass drumming lesson in his hotel room at PASIC or drumming in the parking lot at a parade, Nick is the man!

If you are still not sure I suggest you immediately contact PAS about purchasing the soon to be released video of the Drummers Heritage concert featuring Nick Attanasio as a soloist. Upon hearing he play you will have no choice but to write the letter!

Nick Attanasio should be in the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame!

I contacted Michael Kenyon, the executive Director of PAS and asked him for advice on getting Nick into the hall of fame and here is part of the message he sent me.

I have found the more information the better as long as it is pertinent and does not get into specific events or get too detailed. If you are able to garner support from others and they send in nominations or letters of support, I believe that always has an impact. I hope this helps and I look forward to seeing you in a just a few weeks.

Michael

I have to be honest with anyone who has read this letter to this point. You will continue to get email messages from me every week until the hall of fame deadline passes unless you either send me a "nomination or letter of support" or you say you disagree with me and Nick Attanasio is not worthy. Then I will abide by your decision and not bother you with the subject again!

This is something I am passionate about and truly believe is a worthwhile effort. Please do not waste time and say I'll do it when I get a chance. DO IT NOW! Write a letter and mail it to me at:

Dominick Cuccia

49 Longfellow Road

Carmel , NY 10512

If I have left somebody off of this list who you believe would be a supporter of this effort please feel free to forward this message or give me their email address and I will contact them myself.

Thank you so much for your time and support on this important topic. Nick Attanasio has been the greatest for a long time, now he should be recognized that way!

Enough of my talk...get writting!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the spirit,

Dominick Cuccia
http://www.dreadeddrummer.com/