Interesting insight from the guy who plays drums for Dennis now. FYI
He's a great drummer and I always enjoy his work. Plus he's, well, dreamy!
BTW, Sadie found this article and I am posting it for her. Thanks, Sadie!
Bugsy
http://www.moderndrummer.com/updateFull ... =100012263
Kyle Woodring
Fanfare With Dennis DeYoung
Kyle Woodring’s first gig was in the fourth grade with his older brother on guitar. They played Styx songs. Now the drummer finds himself playing with former Styx lead singer and writer Dennis DeYoung, a gig he’s had since 2000. “I’ve always loved straight groove playing,” Woodring says, “but this gig has brought me out of my element a little bit. It’s taken me back to being a little kid again, using all the technique I learned growing up when I played along to Neil Peart and Rush.”
As for playing Styx material, Woodring says he definitely enjoys it. “It’s so much fun to play the tunes I grew up with,” he says. “My favorite is ‘Come Sail Away,’ because everyone digs it. We did a gig recently in Mexico where most of the audience didn’t speak English, but they knew every word to that song. It’s such a great feeling to connect with people through music.”
Woodring, who lives in a suburb of Chicago (where all bandmembers, including DeYoung, live), says he loves working with Dennis. “He’s got a great sense of humor, and he’s just a great man.” To see Kyle in action with DeYoung, check out the recently released DVD and CD, Dennis DeYoung, The Music Of Styx Live: With Symphony Orchestra.
One of the challenges of the DeYoung gig is working with a fifty-piece orchestra. According to Woodring, “Arnie Roth, the conductor, is amazing. He and I are locked, and we’re always watching each other. With fifty musicians, we have to make sure we have good monitors—I use in-ears—because the orchestra is spread out across the stage. Good monitors and a lot of eye contact are key in this situation.”
Robyn Flans