Hey Gang!

I'm the moderator of this Forum and the owner/Webmaster of this Forum/Site at TigerBill.com. I just thought I'd start things off in this new Forum - that's meant to tell us all about YOU - by using ME as an example. If you want an actual template that you can simpy copy and fill in with your information, look in this forum for the sticky post called Template! Otherwise, feel free to use the Instant BB Code available below this box to format your Thread. For example, to add a picture - click on the IMAGE code and enter the URL where your image exists on the Web. To enter an Audio or Video clip, click on the URL Code and enter the URL of the clip. Note that although all pictures and audio/video clips will seem like they are physically on this page, they are only linked here. They must already be on the Web in order to appear here. This has to be done to save expensive server space. If you don't already have a free Web space to upload your info to, there are plenty of free Web sites available including MySpace.com and Bravenet.com. If you have any problems or further questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Here's my example for you:

INTRODUCTION

MY NAME: Tiger Bill Meligari - The nickname "Tiger" was given to me by Joe Morello when I first started taking lessons with him back in 1970.

MY LOCATION: High Bridge, NJ USA

MY OCCUPATION: Drummer, Author, Publisher, Clincian, Webmaster, Producer, Computer Programmer, and Martial Artist. Yes, I have made a living from each of these disciplines and/or combination of them at one time or another and have often been referred to as a Renaissance man!

MY BAND: I currently work with the Vince Martell Band and dabble on the side with my own jazz/funk/rock group that I call The Mix.

MY WEBSITE: I currently have three: www.TigerBill.com www.TigerMix.com www.TensionFreeDrumming.com

MY FIRST INSPIRATION: Playing on my cousin's drumset when I was 4 years old. I played his kit all day long and became a DrumHead from that time on.

MY INSPIRING/FAVORITE DRUMMER: Gene Krupa was the first drummer who really inspired me to want to play professionally. And since the age of 13 when my Dad took me to see Buddy Rich play with his big band, Buddy has been my #1 favorite.

MY MUSIC STYLES: Although I love any style of music and have played all styles over the years, I favor jazz, rock, R&B (Blues), Funk, New Orleans, and Drum 'n' Bass.

MY SUPPORT/MENTOR: My Dad, who was my biggest fan, was my main mentor. Without his support, I would never have become a pro drummer. I also owe my former High School Band Director, Gary R. Wishmeyer, a debt of thanks for his encouragement at a critical time in my formative teens.

MY STORY: I started my presence on the Web back in 1998 as the drum expert under drums.about.com. After nearly two years, they were purchased by a major print magazine publisher who axed all sites they didn't have a magazine for, which including drums. Although I am still their drum expert, appearing on various areas of their site, the closing of my main site is what allowed me to take my original copyrighted material and start my own site at TigerBill.com at the end of 1999. At that time About.com ranked as high as the fifth most trafficked site on the Internet, which gave me fast exposure to a huge audience - most of whom came along with me when I opened my own drum site. Many of those original members are still with me today and some have even become Forum members here as opposed to the majority of DrumHeads who register only for the main site. Talk about dedication! I am extremely flattered and proud that so many members have stuck with me over the years. My dream of having a place for DrumHeads around the world to get together to talk about drums, drumming, and anything else on their mind has come true with this forum and all of its terrific members. When I first took to the web, almost no one had ever heard of Gladstone (GallStones, maybe!) but ever since I first posted my Monster Chops Series of articles, the web has been buzzing with it. I'm very proud of the fact that many of the departments and business models that I have originated over the years have been copied by other sites. Rather than looking at it like a competition, I see it as room for everyone. I feel if people are copying my ideas, then they must be good ones. People don't usually copy bad ideas! Anyway, I am so thrilled that I have been able to spread the word on correct drums and drumming and introduce so many DrumHeads around the globe - not only to some techniques that they might otherwise never get exposured to - but to each other as well. The Internet is the single best invention to have ever come along and this Forum, for me, is a dream come true. It truly feels like we're one big family here and I have to thank all of you for that! I will certainly keep on keepin' on!

MY PICS - GEAR - AUDIO/VIDEO

Tiger "Nerd" at age 15!

"That 70s Show" Tiger

Louie Bellson and Me (I made the Cover of Sam Ulano's Drum World

)

Me with All My Hair

in Concert with a Pre-Head Shaved Roy Haynes

AUDIO of my Extended Solo from the Above Concert (1978)
(Requires RealPlayer for Mac or PC. Don't have it? Download it for free.)

VIDEO Performance at NAMM 2003
(Requires Windows Media Player for Mac or PC. Don't have it? Download it for free.)

VIDEO Performance at NAMM 2003

VIDEO Performance at NAMM 2003

VIDEO Performance at NAMM 2003

VIDEO of my NAMM 2004 World's Fastest Drummer Competition Win

The Tiger as You Know Me Best!

VIDEO of TV Promos for NAMM Music and Sound Expo

VIDEO Excerpt from PAS Day of Percussion 2005

VIDEO Excerpt of Performance at Cape Breton International Drum Festival 2005

VIDEO Pintech Lids and Futz Review

VIDEO Excerpt from Concepts of Tension Free Drumming: Hand Technique

Performing at KOSA 11