METAL DRUMMER AMONG NATION'S BEST

(2009 photo) Bob left a clear message for envious KANSAS band parents and their political backbone; a few public school officials.  Often quoting the indelible words of his namesake:  "I'm the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be."    Buddy Rich 

Just before leaving his witnessing audience, eyes fixed, pulses racing, jaws on the floor, standing in stunned silence faced with the harsh reality that prodigies are born, not made. 

While many will challenge, none can deny that 'Bobby Rodriguez' is an authentic drum prodigy.  Bobby leaves this parting message for envious high school band parents: "Tell your drumming sons and daughters to chase me, catch me, ifffffff... they can." 

Bobby sheepishly grins, winks, turns his back and holding his head high; walks away, confident that he has succeeded in asking, the impossible.  None will openly admit it, pride won't permit the ego to accept such senseless agony, history will record the harsh reality for these few and others like them.  Still they will sandbag through life hoping to gain the elusive edge, indeed, so elusive. 

COLORADO STATE DRUM CHAMPION                                 

Fort Collins, CO-Saturday, October 21, 2006-In an unprecedented display of sportsmanship and fair play, a panel of qualified professional musician judges selected from across the United States voted for Colorado's best high school marching bands.

Marching bandmates of ELCTRIKCHAIR drummer, Bob Rodriguez, were a clean sweep; winning awards for overall effect, music and high visual.  Bob's marching band represents one of the largest high school marching band classifications in Colorado.

DUST2DUST MUSIC NETWORK and ELCTRIKCHAIR congratulate Bob and his high school marching band.  COLORADO'S 2006 STATE CHAMPIONS!

Since relocating to Lawrence, Kansas, Bobby (drummer/percussionist) has continued adding to his growing list of commendations, never receiving less than a 'superior' rating in any high school jazz or marching band competition and recently being selected the 'Outstanding Soloist' during a competition at a major Kansas University. 

ELCTRIKCHAIR AND DUST2DUST MUSIC NETWORK EXTEND A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT WHOSE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK BOB'S METAL [JUDGES AWARDED BOB A 'GOLD METAL' FOR PERFECT DRUMMING DURING THE COMPETITION] WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE: 

DRUMMER, TIM COOK [The CO Band, RUSSIA] , DRUMMER AND VIC FIRTH STUDENT,  JOE HOLMQUIST [NE], SCOTT VICROY [NE], BOB JURKSCHEIT [CO] COS PHILHARMONIC, GARY ARRASMITH [CO], PHIL OLIVAS [CO], CHAD COLLVER [CO], EDDIE DOWDLE [CO], FORMER UCLA BRUIN DRUM MARCHING MASTER, CONRAD HANOVER [CO] WHO HAS PERFORMED PROFESSIONALLY  WITH FRANK SINATRA JR. & DOC SEVERSON OF JOHNNY CARSON FAME, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY MUSIC SENSATION LUKE CHAFFEE AND THE SELFLESS DEDICATED, SKILLED PROFESSIONAL, PHIL KARNS, ALSO A KANSAS MUSIC MASTER INSTRUCTOR.