Born into a musical family, John Wackerman continues the musical legacy which started with his father and jazz drummer Chuck Wackerman, and proceeds with John\'s three brothers: Bob (bassist), Chad and Brooks (both drummer as well).

Over a decade ago John Wackerman developed a vision: one day he would create a duet project based on compositions arranged solely for drums. He would get the greatest drummers in the world to participate, and produce their performances in such a way that they would be musically interesting to music fans in general. Recalls John in Music Connection Magazine:

\"People thought it was a crazy idea. They couldn’t imagine who would be interested in it outside of the drum world.\"

Nonetheless, Wackerman pursued his dream project and since 2003 he has been playing and producing his first Drum Duet album featuring duets with monster drummers like Steve Gadd, Alex Acuña, Clayton Cameron, Adrian Young, John Ferraro, Ricky Lawson and Josh Freese. Of course John plays a duet with Brooks, Chad and Chuck Wackerman as well.

Traveling across the country to lay down the tracks, Wackerman recorded each of the drummers in their hometown:

\"I had to coordinate with their schedules in order to get everyone I wanted. I put my heart and soul into it. And, I’m extremely proud that I managed to finish it.\"

John Wackerman approached each session with a planned composition that he had written, so that each of the drummers could improvise and solo over it. He then recorded his sections, utilizing call-and-response as well as duet arrangements.

Wackerman allowed all of the players complete creative freedom, which inspired them to go all out. No Doubt’s sticksman Adrian Young relates in Music Connection Magazine:

“John let me do whatever I wanted and, for the first time in my career, I could go off and not hold back.\"

That same sentiment was echoed by every drummer on the record. In fact, Ricky Lawson contends:

\"We need more of this kind of music, because drum and solo instrumental projects have become so predictable.\"

Though it took a lot of time and effort to realise \"Drum Duets Vol. 1\", John Wackerman is already planning a second volume. He’s also writing a transcription book of every solo on the record. Says John Wackerman:

\"This is going to be a great help for all the drummers out there who want to learn different chops in a variety of styles. Because, the fact is, if you want to be a working drummer, you need to know as many styles as possible. Well, this record, and the transcription book, will give drummers the knowledge they need.\"

Listen here to a soundclip of John Wackerman\'s \"Drum Duets Vol. 1\".