Raymond Cyr: Drums, Rudimental Drumming, The Shofar Horn, Founder

Raymond Cyr says, “A drummer’s goal should be to provide a steady, supportive heartbeat for the music of the band, causing people to tap their feet, smile, dance, and simply have fun. The most successful drummers I have known maintained the tempo heartbeat of the music with each song, creating a synergy that unites everyone in the room to join into the groove of the music and dance.”  In the 1960s, a young boy’s heart was captured by the sound of a drum line in Lewiston, Maine. While at a parade, Ray walked near the Scarlet Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps marching down the main street of his hometown. The director extended a life-changing opportunity for him to join the drum line. The following year, Raymond Cyr was featured on his first drum corps album, and for over three seasons during high school, he traveled and competed throughout several New England states.  “For over 40 years, my music lessons have taught drum students essential drumming techniques, focusing on keeping a steady beat, proper drum techniques, and balanced positioning on the drum kit. My method has helped drummers successfully play any style of music with any band that desires a steady, fun, unifying drumbeat.”  Drumming for his first rock and roll band, named “The Innkeepers,” Ray performed throughout the Northeastern states from Maine to New York City. During the 1960s and 70s, he developed an original style of drumming that made people move and dance. Competing in The Battle of the Bands for Stardom among 1200 U.S. and Canadian bands, The Innkeepers ranked in the top 20 and were featured in a report in Billboard Magazine.  “I love the smile I see on the faces of the people dancing together to our music and my drumbeat.”  At 21, Raymond Cyr, along with three other men, founded North Central Productions in Madison, Wisconsin. After auditioning hundreds of musicians and contracting 25 bands over seven years, Ray’s team built one of the nation’s largest talent and booking agencies, scheduling American and English bands across 40 states.  “My passion is teaching my students how to create a unique artistic style of drumming while being entertaining.”  Ray has traveled and performed in over 35 states for nearly 250 days a year at both small and large venues, has done recording studio work from Maine to California, and has recorded on 8 albums. Thousands have enjoyed his drum solos, including one that can be viewed on YouTube at InnKeepers Gimme Gimme Good Lovin or www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhfnLVsCjNk. His styles of drumming encompass rock, blues, country, jazz, and Christian worship.  “I seek to teach my students to be confident yet sensitive as they perform. Students must understand that fellow band members will depend on them to produce a steady beat that is both creative and fun. They need to be ‘accountable,’ organized, and strong, especially if they join a band and need to pack up and set up their drums.”  The names of the bands and music organizations that Ray has formed or played in include The Innkeepers, Alpha, U.S. Pure, North Central Productions, McMillan and Cleary Talent Agency, Sound Street, CIRCUS, Hemisphere Recording Co., Rim Canyon Band & Productions, Pointe Band, American Music Productions, Brass on Ivory Band, New Life Church Band, All Peoples Tabernacle Band, MERCY Band, Chief Musician Productions, Glenn Hilliard Band, and he is currently the owner and administrator of Studio 237 Music School.  “I love to see the excitement of accomplishment in my students’ eyes as they synchronize the movement of their legs and hands in a rhythmic manner to the heartbeat of the music. My mantra is: Relax, be cool, stick to it, and be confident, and you will be able to drum with any music.”