Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sam Rabourn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Sam, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
As I sit there staring at my students’ hands trying to do a thing, I inevitably visualize a new invention right there on the spot. By the next morning, I’ve usually got a prototype whipped up, and for the next lesson there’s a physical solution to our problem. The sawdusting and super-gluing is real.
Right now my entire living room has been transformed into a comprehensive “drummer’s gym.” Of course, I teach piano, music theory, composition, and all that jazz—but the percussionizing is where it’s at. Back in 2002 at the Drum Corps International World Championships (aka “the Drummer’s Olympics”), 31 other drummers and I, as a drumline, won the gold (Cadets). Quite the feeling.
My goal is simple: train as many hands and feet as possible to make cool beats. I provide private and group lessons out of my home studio in West Atascadero, and I travel all over the state to schools and other venues, giving presentations tailored to each audience. Demonstrations, multimedia, hands-on. I also do corporate team-building events, private parties, and the like. Whatever. I’m game.
In a big cardboard box in my bedroom closet sit about 8,000 white, 3″x3″ stickies, each with a fleshed-out idea and a label in the bottom-left corner. Half are still a jumble in the box, but the other half are stacked into neat, binder-clipped piles. Together they spell out an entire business plan for taking a major-operation show on the road—big rig and all.
The show itself? A two-to-three-hour event, designed primarily as a social mixer with funny icebreakers and rotating groups so everyone gets to connect at least once with everyone. Second, it’s designed to get all-comers drumming: how to properly hold a drumstick, how to strike, how to read music, give pro musicians an opportunity to show off—and then we all JAAAAAAAAMMM!!! Optional after-party, maybe with a dance floor, maybe with a box of kittens ready to adopt. Definitely merch. Definitely a table for swapping business cards. The current working title of this event: the “Meowface Music Experience” (MMX). =^.^=
MeowfaceMusic.com
YT: MeowfaceMusic
IG: @Meowface_Music
FB: MeowfaceMusic
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
The pages of MeowfaceMusic.com:
Home
– Services, videos, social media links, events, mission statements, mottos.
Album
– My 2015 music album, “Meowface.” Bust out your headphones.
The Brand
– All about the Meowface brand, pictures, FAQs, my favorite musicians.
Musician Museum
– Curated list of YT videos showcasing world-class musicianship. Mix of stuff.
Contact
– Shoot me a text ; )
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The cool thing about being a maker is getting to make a cool life for myself.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Drum Educators
– Benny Grab
– Cliff Almond
– Paul Rennick
Thinkers
– Seth Godin
– Sir Ken Robinson
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MeowfaceMusic.com
- Instagram: meowface_music
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeowfaceMusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samrabourn/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MeowfaceMusic/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/meowface-music-atascadero?osq=meowface+music
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sam-rabourn-performance
