Blog: A Medium-Sized Dog Shakes, Rattles and Bangs a Drum

“I just never stopped shaking, rattling, squeezing, banging, and beating on stuff!” That’s how Charles Lowrey, aka Medium Size Dog, describes himself.

I met Charlie when he responded to my Eagle Rock Patch blog post on the Work@Homers networking group, about which I’ve posted previously. We’ve had a variety of people show up for networking, from hula hoop instructors to film producers, from fashion and beauty consultants to hypnotherapists. The first time Charlie came to Work@Homers, he was the last to introduce himself. It was an hour-long meeting, and he’d sat quietly while we shared about our legal plans, yoga classes, and nutrition supplements. 

I hoped he wasn’t too bored. When Charlie said, “I make cajon drums—I’m a drummer and I teach drumming,” I knew then we had a lot to talk about. I had tried to host a drum circle on my last birthday, and it wasn't easy. I realized then the value of a skilled facilitator.

On a whim, I asked him to facilitate a kid-friendly drum circle at the very next Work@Homers gathering (it was the week of Spring Break). Without asking for specifics or time to check his calendar or even money, he said “sure.”  We had that drum circle with the kids, and they loved it. We all did. So I asked if he would consider facilitating a larger gathering, one at the Eagle Rock, on the night of the full moon, and, again, without blinking an eye, he said, "sure." 

I asked Charlie, who's entirely self-taught, how he came to be a drummer. He said that when he watched the Tarzan movies starring Johnny Weissmuller, which included stock footage of jungle scenes, he was enchanted by the sounds. “As one of five kids we did our share of banging on pots and pans and things we made,” Charlie said. “As I got older, I didn't have money for a real drum set, but I could nickel and dime my way up with small percussion instruments and things I made so while I didn't have that much skill, I had wacky noises and sound effects. When I finally did get a drum set, my playing was informed by the 'other percussion' background. When I was getting my Beatles and Doors and King Crimson records, I was also getting Balinese, African and other field recordings on the Nonesuch and Folkways labels. I also took lessons from the wonderful Nigerian talking drum master Francis Awe which knocked me into a whole new realm of rhythmic sensibility."

Charlie's carpentry skills developed after graduating from college with a psychology degree. He was painting houses with a couple of buddies and was the guy who did most of the wood repair on the older and often historic houses they painted. This started him on the path to finish carpentry, cabinetry, historic preservation and now to the cajons and other instruments he makes.

He recently participated in the World Labyrinth Day festival at the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena and solemnly serenaded the Walk as One at One labyrinth walkers. I was one of those walkers, and I was moved by the sacred reverence of his drumming.

Charlie’s business card reads “Noises from around the World—Sound Textures from Mellow to Maniacal.” I have seen the mellow side of Charlie. I’m wondering if the maniacal side will come out for the Full Moon Drum Circle.  If you’re curious, too, I invite you to join us this Sunday, June 3 at 7 p.m. in Richard Alatorre Park.  Whether you've never laid fingers to a drum or were born drumming, you're welcome.

Don't have a drum? Some will be provided, but if you have one you can share please bring it. Prefer to hoop? Bring your hoop. Just want to listen in? You're invited. This event is free, though I recommend you be prepared to tip the facilitator. You just might feel so inspired. And, yes, howling at the moon is not only allowed but wildly encouraged.

Note that there are no services in the park, so bring water and any refreshments you may want. Restrooms may be available at the nearby Eagle Rock Recreation Center. Richard Alatorre Park is in Eagle Rock (L.A. 90041) just north of the 134 Freeway between Figueroa Street and Eagle Rock View Drive. Set your GPS to 5490 Eagle Rock View Dr. in Los Angeles for directions.

Charles Lowrey, aka Medium Size Dog, offers his carpentry services, handcrafted drums, drumming lessons, and drum repairs from his Mt. Washington home. To hear some of Charlie’s music, see the accompanying YouTube video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG_4Ajwmaew).
To contact Charlie, call (323) 960-8916 or email mediumsizedog@yahoo.com.

For more about Work@Homers, see www.meetup.com/WorkAtHomers or www.facebook.com/WorkAtHomers