On January 24, 2025, the Anaheim Hilton came alive with rhythm and celebration as Play Drums marked its 30th anniversary during the annual Open House at the NAMM Show. The event honored three decades of dedication to percussion education while recognizing two influential figures whose contributions have significantly shaped the drumming community.
Honoring Industry Icons
One of the night’s honorees was John Wittmann, Associate Vice President of Yamaha Artist Relations Group. Starting his career as a high school band director, Wittmann later became a touring drummer and clinician, sharing his expertise at NAMM, PASIC, and beyond. His unwavering commitment to music education has impacted both students and professionals, leaving a lasting legacy in the drumming world.
Another honoree was Rick Latham, a renowned percussionist and educator whose ability to master multiple musical genres has made him a respected name in the industry. With over four decades of experience, Latham has worked with icons like B.B. King and the Edgar Winter Band. Beyond performance, his influence extends through masterclasses, clinics, and groundbreaking instructional books, inspiring generations of drummers worldwide.
A New Chapter: PlayDrums.com Relaunch
In addition to celebrating these industry legends, Play Drums introduced a major milestone of its own—the revamped PlayDrums.com website. A key highlight is the innovative Drum Lesson Locator, designed to connect aspiring drummers with local instructors and music stores offering lessons. This initiative reinforces Play Drums’ mission to make quality music education more accessible and widespread.
Thinking back over the evening, Play Drums Board Chair Dave Jewell added, “The high point of our year is hosting the Play Drums Open House party at NAMM Show in Anaheim.” Next, in, Executive Director Antoinette Follett added, “For almost 30 years, this nonprofit has put sticks in hands and added to the count of drummers out in the field.”
Looking to the future
Forward, Play Drums is all about one thing: inspiring, educating, and connecting drummers. With the terrific new platform at PlayDrums.com and convenient tools such as the Drum Lesson Locator, they’re ready to go and continue developing talent and sparking that passion in the drumming community.
So, interested in checking out new tools and discovering drum lessons in your area, the new and updated PlayDrums.com has a wealth of information for new and experienced drummers in your search for sound.