The Rhythm Alliance

I just stumbled on this organization: The Rhythm Alliance
Their mission is: "to raise the level and awareness of drumming as well as support for drummers through education and cooperation."

Here's an excerpt from their recent press release (1/15/2010):

"After supporting many of the world’s most popular and influential musicians with their spectacular time-keeping and impeccable musicianship in the studio and on the road, a group of today’s top drummers have joined together in an effort to support their fellow drummers. The organization is called the “Rhythm Alliance” and its principals, Gorden Campbell, Teddy Campbell, Gerald Heyward, Marvin McQuitty, Aaron Spears and Nisan Stewart, are all worldclass drum artists who have performed and collaborated with a host of world-class entertainers from Earth, Wind & Fire, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige and Michael Jackson to Fred Hammond, The Winans, Usher, Backstreet Boys, Jesse McCartney, Timbaland, P-Diddy and Jay-Z plus the American Idol show on TV and on tour.
The Alliance’s mission is to raise the level and awareness of drumming along with support for the drumming community through educational materials such as magazine articles, flyers, posters, books and videos as well as appearances at educational events including drum shows, festivals and conventions. As the first step towards fulfilling its mission, the Rhythm Alliance will perform at the 2010 International Drummers for Jesus Celebration, March 26 - 27, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. Drummers For Jesus (drummersforjesus.com) is dedicated to creating a worldwide network of drummers and percussionists who use their drumming to spread the positive message of Jesus Christ and past DFJ events have featured Sheila E, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gregg Bissonette, Zoro, Tommy Aldridge, Louie Bellson, Danny Seraphine, Luis Conte, Chris Coleman, Russ Miller, John Blackwell Jr., Will Kennedy, Derico Watson, Paul Leim and many others. Plans for additional Rhythm Alliance activities will be announced as they are confirmed.
The Alliance drummers are also committed to working with the companies whose products they endorse to develop and promote instruments and accessories that will bring fresh sounds to a wide range of contemporary styles and increased access to a diversity of players. These companies currently include Drum Workshop, Modern Drummer, Pro-Mark, Remo, Roland, Shure, Vater, Vic Firth, Yamaha and Zildjian. As the Alliance continues to grow, its members intend to contribute a portion of their income from event fees and product sales back to the drumming community in the form of scholarships and donations to music education programs."

So while it appears that initially this organization initially consists of a group of well known commercial kits drummers and percussionists, I would encourage some of you to reach out to this fledgeling organization and see what you can contribute to it's growth, success and inclusion of world drumming.

Links: http://www.drummersforjesus.com/html/dfj_celebration.php