Drumming at the Edge of Madness

Jason Price

My life can be divided into three segments, before the Dead, during the Dead, and After the Dead.  Drums were a big part of my experience.  I remember when I got my first drums.  They were a set of large black fiberglass congas.  I bought them at a pawn shop when I was 16.  I had already been to a Dead show and realized what I wanted to do with my life, go on tour.  I was intrested in seeing the country, and thought the best way to do it was with a VW bus, a big black dog, and my drums.  I let the band dictate were to go next.  I found myself on a long strange trip for the next ten years that changed my perspective on the world.  These years have given me stories that entertain, depress, and enlighten me and my students to this day.  I have had my faith in humanity shattered, and restored on many  occasions, and am the better for it.  The whole time, old Sadie Mae, and my drums were there, even when I was going down the road feeling bad.