It’s no secret how much RHCP drummer Chad Smith and funnyman Will Ferrell resemble each other. Most recently, this fact led to a hilarious exchange between the two after a Reddit AMA session where Ferrell said: “It has been acknowledged many times that myself and Chad Smith, drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, share a resemblance to each other,” he wrote. “A lot of people think that it’s me playing for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But that would be an insult to Chad Smith. The truth of the matter is there is no Will Ferrell. Only Chad Smith.”

Chad Smith responded shortly after with a post to Funny Or Die’s Instagram account: “Stop impersonating me! In fact…I need you…Drum battle, me and you. I’ve seen you. I’ve seen your skills. You don’t got ’em. Let’s go.”

Although it took him a few days, Ferrell has now responded to Smith’s challenge, logging on to the RHCP drummer’s own AMA to suggest the two take place in a drumming duel for charity: “Hi, Chad. Will Ferrell here. I saw your video and I graciously accept your invitation to a drum battle,” Ferrell wrote. “If we can raise $300,000 for Cancer For College I will face off with you in the greatest drum vs. cowbell showdown the world has ever seen. We can do it on stage at a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert or in front of a mutually convenient public library. Your call. Also, would you rather fight a hundred duck sized ducks or one horse sized horse?”
Smith has since accepted Ferrell’s challenge after calling the actor “a delusional imposter.”

“He needs to seek professional help because I am obviously more talented and handsome than he is,” Smith wrote in his AMA. “You know, his cowbell work is well-documented, but his drumset skills are nominal based on Step Brothers, the film. Other than wiping his testicles on the drums, which of course I give high marks to.”

All we know is — this is one drum battle we can’t wait to see!

A huge congratulations to long-time Gon Bops artist Luisito Quintero, whose recent album 3rd Element has received a Latin Grammy award nomination for Best Latin Jazz album!

Luisito released the following statement:
HOY AMANECI CON UNA EXCELENTE VIBRA !!! YA LA 2da FACE DEL OBJETIVO “3rd ELEMENT” FUE ALCANZADA… AGRADEZCO DE ANTEMANO EL APOYO QUE NOS HAN DADO Y EN ESPECIAL A TODO EL PERSONAL QUE VOY A COLOCAR ACONTINUACION, QUE MUCHOS PENSARON QUE ERA UN SUENO, PUES NO ES UNA REALIDAD Y A TODOS LOS QUE VOY A COLOCAR EN ESTÁ LISTA LES CORRESPONDE UN CERTIFICADO COMO MÍNIMO (POR AHORA) POR ESTA NOMINACION YA QUE VAMOS COMO:”MEJOR ALBÚN DE LATIN JAZZ”.

PERSONAL:
LUIS “LUISITO QUINTERO
LUIS “REDLOUIS” ROJAS
GUIDO DÍAZ
ALFREDO NARANJO
ALBERTO VERGARA
RODNER PADILLA
JULIO “JULITO” ANTILLANO
GONZALO TEPA
ALVARO PAIVA
RAFAEL GRECO
ELIEL RIVERO
MAYERLIN CARRERO
PEDRO CARRERO
YORMAN “CABALLO” MÉNDEZ
CARLOS “NENÉ” QUINTERO
LUIS QUINTERO “PADRE”
JAIR ACOSTA
YONATHAN GAVIDIA
BENIGNO MEDINA
FRANCISCO CEBALLO
JOSÉ LUIS MARTÍNEZ
HECTOR “MÁXIMO” RODRIGUEZ
OSCAR HERNÁNDEZ
ANDY GUZMÁN
STEVE KHAN
JULIO JAUREGUI
RICKY GONZÁLEZ
JAISON VILLAMAR
AXCEL TOSTA
REYNALDO JORGE
DOUG BEAVERS
NHOA BLESS
EDDIE VENEGAS
MIREYA RAMOS
RICHIE FLORES
ROBERT QUINTERO
ANDERSON QUINTERO
NESTOR VILLAR
FRANCÍSCO REQUENA
GABO SANOJA
ROBERTO VIERA
POWER QUEVEDO
BRIEN JUST
JESS PÉREZ
WILL
MARCO
LINO ROJAS
MIL GRACIAS A TODOS Y SEGUIREMOS INFORMANDO !!!

Gon Bops is happy to announce that Mike Dillon has joined its illustrious artist roster!

San Antonio Texas native Dillon (aka Mike D) is a percussionist, vibraphonist, bandleader, vocalist and songwriter. a member of Critters Buggin, Les Claypool’s Fancy Band and Garage A Trois, he has performed with Ani DiFranco, Galactic, Brave Combo, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Marco Benevento and New Orleans musicians Kevin O’Day, Johnny Vidacovich, James Singleton and more. During the ‘80’s Dillon also performed with local Dallas and Denton favorites Ten Hands. He has led Dallas-based Billy Goat, Kansas City-based Malachy Papers and Austin-based Hairy Apes BMX (HABMX).

“We’re really happy that Mike’s chosen to play Gon Bops,” announced West Coast Artist Relations Manager Rich Mangicaro. “He’s a local favourite in Texas, but his reputation is truly nationwide. We genuinely look forward to working with Mike for years to come.”

Dillon resides in Texas, but a busy touring schedule keeps him on the road much of the time.

Gon Bops is thrilled to announce the newest member of our illustrious artist roster, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith!

“We’re very proud to welcome one of Rock’s greatest drummers to our family of artists,” exclaims Gon Bops Artist Relations Manager Rich Mangicaro. “Chad has now officially added the Gon Bops brand to his arsenal of instruments, and our Red Rock Bell will shine brightly on his kit”.

Chad Smith needs little introduction. His funky, deep down grooves drive the Red Hot Chili Peppers with incessant muscle, and a spacious sense of taste. He’s a powerful player whose diverse influences, from the jazz of Buddy Rich to the big bonzo beats of John Bonham, and the zany go-for-it attack of Keith Moon enhance his playing with a strong sense of swing, great pop/rock sense, and an intuitive instinct to nail the groove deep within the pocket but keep it fun.

On March 10, 2014, the percussion world lost one of the true greats, David “La Mole” Ortiz. Known as the “Quinto Master” — master of the quinto drum in Puerto Rico, David’s influences includes some of the greatest percussionists in the world as his students, including Alex Acuna, Giovanni Hildago, Richie Flores and many more. His reputation in Puerto Rico was legendary, mastering the styles of Tata Guines, Mongo Santamaria and Patao and created his own unique style. He was able to convey his knowledge to other players, helping them to develop their own individual voice and go one to become great percussionists. He was a rare, giving teacher and he will be missed by everyone in the Gon Bops family.

“In Puerto Rico, David was a low profile player because he chose to teach the new generation, and to bring the recognition he knew he did not receive to some truly great young talent. When we met in 2002, he immediately gave me excellent exercises for my left hand because he noticed my surgery, and I have since been developing it to the max. Thanks David…RIP.” — Alex Acuna

GON BOPS is thrilled to announce that seminal Jazz and Fusion musician Billy Cobham has joined the company’s International Artist Program. Generally acclaimed as Fusion’s greatest drummer, Cobham’s explosive technique powered some of the most important early Fusion recordings – including groundbreaking music by Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra – before he went on to become an accomplished bandleader in his own right.

Throughout his stellar career, Cobham has worked with a hugely diverse group of artists that includes Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Freddie Hubbard, Jan Hammer, Jack Bruce, Larry Carlton, Oscar Peterson, George Benson, Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, John Scofield, Alex Acuna and even Buddy Miles – and this is the abbreviated list!

“Joining the Gon Bops family was an easy decision for me,” writes Cobham. “The design and craftsmanship that goes into each and every Gon Bops instrument is superb, and for me, the connection between Gon Bops and SABIAN is synonymous with quality at the highest level.”

“We’re honored to have Billy Cobham in the Gon Bops family,” says Vice President Lane Davy. “He is truly a legend, and his discography has influenced almost anyone who has played since. His decision to play Gon Bops instruments is a testament to the quality of our products.”

Currently a resident of Switzerland, Billy Cobham’s most recent project is Palindrome, featuring a sensational ensemble of European musicians. They will be touring the US in the fall of 2010.

Modern Drummer, the worlds largest Drum and Percussion magazine, announced that Daniel de los Reyes of three-time GRAMMY award winners “The Zac Brown Band” wins PERCUSSIONIST of the year!

“I would like to thank the readers, the Zamily and everyone who voted for with out your support I would not have been able to win this incredible and prestigious award. Modern Drummer Publications Percussionist of the year,” commented Reyes.

For more information visit the Daniel de los Reyes FaceBook fan page and LIKE it to follow Danny on the road with ZBB and at home with his DayGLOW Music Camp™. Interact with Danny personally and see what goes on in the mind of a masterful percussionist, both on stage and off. Summer is here – sunshine, BBQs, swimming, friends, music, dancing – so Jump Right in to June with Danny on his FaceBook fan page for exclusive contests and giveaways all summer long!

Montreal Drum festival attendees — or anyone else in the Montreal area — will get a chance to participate in a Cajon workshop featuring the incredibly talented GUILLERMO ‘MEMO’ ACEVEDO!

The renowned and beloved Memo is a New York City-based drummer and percussionist, and a native of Bogota, Columbia.

He has recorded and played with great stars such as:
– Tito Puente
– Gregory Hines
– Louie Bellson
– Crystal
– Bruce Cockburn
– Joss Stone
– Klimax and so many more!

He has also performed in the Broadway shows The Lion King and Civil War.

Please join us on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the KoSA MUSIC ACADEMY, 2207 Beaconsfield (corner de Maisonneuve, NDG) from 7.00-9.00 PM. Admission is $30. For more information, please call (514) 482-5554 or e-mailinfo@kosamusic.com

Be sure to reserve your spot… you won’t want to miss this!

Gon Bops is happy to have pivotal Nashville drummer Chris McHugh join its legendary artist roster! McHugh’s work can be heard on numerous platinum and Grammy Award winning recordings from a virtual who’s who in the music industry. It is estimated that his involvement in the making of nearly 50 albums has played a role in the sale of upwards of 100 million worldwide.

A New Jersey native, Chris moved to Nashville in 1985 to start his professional music career. He has since recorded, produced and audio engineered for the likes of Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Jewel, and more. He has also served as Keith Urban’s musical director for the past two years.