Making connections through drumming
By Kim McKinney
James Brock’s first foray into the world of percussion started with beating on pots and pans when he was a child. Soon he discovered the washing machine — and saw how pounding it in different places created different sounds.
“It had that giant bass sound if you hit it in the middle, but you could tap on the corners and the pitch was a lot higher — so it almost sounded like a snare drum,” Brock remembers.
His dad has been a professional drummer for over 60 years, traveling internationally with major artists like Janice Ian. His mom was a professional singer, performing show band music and doing USO tours.
While his dad traveled, he kept in touch with James by sending him postcards from around the world. James understands how difficult that must have been — buying postcards, writing them, and then finding a way to get them mailed during a busy tour schedule.
“Drumming was a thing that I was connected to, I think from the get-go, but it was really sacred to me even as a little kid, so I was kind of afraid to let my dad know I wanted to play drums,” said Brock.
His mom took care of that. She recorded James playing and let his dad listen. His dad became his teacher and mentor. Jim gave James his first drum at age 7 or 8 — a Doumbek from Pakistan made from brass. He still has that drum.
James also has a recording of the first time he and his dad jammed together — he gave a copy to his dad (who had forgotten about it) on Father’s Day several years ago.
When his dad was home and doing sessions work, James went to the studio with him.
“That’s where I learned how to play music — sitting in the studio and watching all these great players communicate — and watch how music is crafted and how it is made and how there are parts and sections and as you move into the sections you change. You shift so that the music feels different as you navigate through the different parts.”
James dropped out of school his senior year, at age 17. He had opportunities to play and knew what he wanted his future to be. It paid off — he has always been a professional musician. Now at almost 40 years of age, he has built a reputation for talent and hard work.
He’s not a flashy player — you probably won’t see him throwing his drum sticks or playing to get the audience’s attention by doing anything else other than the actual drumming. There’s a spiritual element — he feels he communes with God, wherever he may be.
Brock’s biggest interest is in world music — specifically ethnic folk music from different cultures. Statesville has seen him play with Ugandan musician Chinobay. They have an album coming out in January.
Brock is starting a nonprofit to join musicians from around the globe to collaborate with him. He has already worked with musicians from India, Pakistan, Hungary, and Iran, to name a few countries. For example, Brock made a music video with three musicians from Iran and three from the U.S.
“I got a big kick out of that because our governments are enemies, and I like showing the fact that we can get along as human beings. That’s a big part of global music to me — give two guys guns and they have the mentality of the fight. Give two guys instruments and they’re probably going to start jamming. Tools are vehicles for the connection we have with one another. Instruments are the greatest ways to tie human beings together,” Brock said.
Brock is also a practical alchemist, working with herbs for about 15 years. He makes advanced tinctures and electro plant stones. He teaches for the N.C. Herbal Association and also gives private lessons. He also helps people find herbal solutions to certain problems like sleeplessness.
And then there is the leatherwork. Brock started making bags for his instruments about 10 or 12 years ago. A friend was working in a guitar shop and wanted some unique straps. Brock made them, and they were popular with customers. Word spread. One day he got a call from the guitar shop telling him someone was looking for Brock’s straps and they were sold out. Turns out it was John Shanks (of Bon Jovi fame). He ordered three straps from James, who put a rush on them and delivered them to his hotel.
Though the herbs and leatherwork are part of who he is, making music comes first. While many people banged on pots and pans as children — Brock never stopped. It’s his mission and his passion — and perhaps his way to change the world.
Photo caption:
James Brock started a nonprofit that brings musicians together.
