Thank you!

One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.
(Malayan Proverb)

This is my favorite section, where I am able to thank those who were instrumental to the successes in my life and career!

First on the list is God.

Without God, there wouldn’t have been a chance that I would have ever been here. I know that there are many generations of evolution before my physical existence, however, I can only thank God for what he has done for my parents, their parents, and everyone else that had anything to do with my abilities, knowledge, sense of morals and determination, that you can accomplish anything you want in life if you want it bad enough, and believe.

Thank you God!

Next, are my beloved parents. Without their support and belief in me, and constant reminders like, ”Did you practice today?” The constant transportation that they provided for me. (My parents were literally a taxi service for me) There wasn’t a day that I didn’t need a ride to a rehearsal, a concert, or a drum lesson. Also, the financial obligation that it all took to get me the training I needed, study material etc… the list is endless. I could write a book on them alone. Perhaps some day I will. They are my Hero’s. The very best a parent can be, and there aren’t any better out there. I love them both, dearly, and could never thank them enough for the support they have given and continue to give. Mom – Dad, Thanks for letting me play the drums in your house for ten years!!!! Thank you Mom and Dad. I love you…

Next are my brother and sister. Two siblings who are incomparable to any other. We all excelled in something as children, and yes, my parents provided for them as they did me. It all goes back to the parenting, doesn’t it? Wow, were we blessed. My brother and my sister are successful in their lives, as well, and we all stood by each other with the necessary support each of us needed. My family is my pride and joy, can’t you tell? I may post a section of mpegs and photos of my family and, just to show their accomplishments, to demonstrate how supportive parents can make the difference. Brother - Sister, I‘m proud of you both for your accomplishments, and thank you for your support through the years. To this day, I cannot believe that there were no complaints of me pounding away in the basement, beneath everyone else’s world. Thank you for your toleration of it all. I love you too!

Al Jorgensen, brother of my mother, Uncle to me and a Drummer as well. Al made sure of the fact I got the best of everything, pertaining to drums. When I outgrew his ability to teach me, he made sure I went to the right group of instructors to further my education. I was blessed here as well. How many young drummers have a relative, already in the business, willing to share his knowledge, and bring me to levels that are only sometimes dreamt about. It was difficult, studying with my Uncle, for the simple fact that he was my uncle. Everyone knows that it is a gamble, mixing family and business, however, at the end of the day, I couldn’t have been more taken care of if I was studying with someone else. Al made sure, during the early years, that I was taught properly and thoroughly. I learned how to pay close attention to detail. Today, I use some of Al’s methods of teaching and still use the method books that I first learned from to teach my students. They just don’t make things like they used to. Thanks Uncle Al, for your undivided attention.

Chester Thompson, my silent mentor. As a young drummer in High School, I was introduced by an upper classman to a group called Genesis. Genesis was our high school’s favorite band, voted by the student body, for many years prior to, and for many years after, my high school days. I happened to agree with the majority. I took a liking to their music, and particularly the bands live drummer, Chester Thompson. After high school, I dreamt of seeing this group live, and perhaps meeting the band. Another blessing. It eventually happened. On August 25th 1985, Chester Thompson came to Hillsborough, NJ to do a Clinic for me at my high school. Like I said earlier in this section of my website, if you can believe it can happen, it will. I listened to Chester on many records throughout the years, mainly his Frank Zappa recordings, which, if you are a drummer, Frank Zappa can keep you on your toes, I mean tippy toes. Chester managed to satisfy Frank, and was able to provide many drummers with recordings like no other, to listen and learn from. Chester befriended me from that day on. We have been friends for 20 years now. Thank you Chester for the inspiration and motivation to believe and conquer. God Bless…

I’d like to thank my drum techs trough the years, as well. First, Rich Roberto. Thanks Rich, for being the absolute best drum tech I have ever had to date. The best part of Rich’s ability was all I had to do was to tell him once, and I never had to address the same issue twice. This made it very easy to do my job. There’s a good testimonial Rich added to his blog about being my tech. You’ll find the link in the “testimonials” section of the site. It’s a good story. Thanks again Rich.

There are a few more names to list as drum techs, and guys, don’t take it personally that you weren’t listed as my best. For so long, Rich was by my side. This is how I came to the determination of who was who. The other techs were Paul Gora from New Port Richey, Fl. A former student who went out with me from time to time when Rich wasn’t available. Thanks Pauly!

And, last but not least Tom Woodall. Another former student who showed in interest in Drum teching. Tom is a missionary somewhere in this world today. Thank you, Tom, as well!!

At this time, I would like to thank all past and present students, for choosing me for their teacher. Teaching has the ability to teach, as well, if you keep an open mind and listen and learn. Music is another language to communicate with. In all reality, I have learned more about drumming by teaching it, then by studying with other teachers. When you teach 50 students a week, each and every one of them has their own personal approach that is unique to themselves. Having 50 different sources to try to identify with, you’re bound to pick up a trick or two, if in fact you’re keyed into the lesson you’re trying to convey. When you are studying as a student, you are only learning what that particular instructor is trying to share with you. If you are interested in studying an instrument, you almost have to study with a private teacher, but not all students take the opportunity to share what they have learned with others like I have. Many shortcomings my students have made in the past, I have managed to flip around, somehow, and find a new technique within. Hence, learning as you teach. What a concept, huh? Thank you all past and present students, for the opportunity to share what I have learned. (You can read some testimonials from past students in the testimonial section of the site)

Next on the list, my Doctor and my friend Dr. Douglass Spiel. Thanks Doug for all you have done to date, and for all you will do in the future. If any of you reading this thank you section are experiencing Back Pain, Please contact me or Dr. Spiel at www.spielmd.com. Doug, you and your team of Docs and staff are the best I have ever met. Thank you again.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the photographer who shot the latest photo shoot for me. She wants no personal recognition, however, this is my thanks to her. You can check out her work in the “Photo Album” (latest photo shoot) section of this site. I believe the work she did was outstanding, as do many others. Thanks…

At this time, I have to mention my first webmaster, Al Roberto. Without Al, again, none of this would have been possible. Al and I go way, way back. He has been a friend and a fan of mine throughout; however, Al has a habit of calling me a pain in the ass with respect to my first website. I realize that it is not personal, right Al? Just business. Al had never tackled a project like this, prior to me approaching him to be my webmaster. You know us musicians! We are, more often than not, over critical of our art. And me, I am definitely a challenge. Sorry Al, if I got difficult from time to time, however, when this site was finished, you were thankful for my ability not to settle and pay close attention to detail. You did a wonderful job and it was a blast working with you. Nothing like working with family, if you can!!!! Pain in the ass or not, I know you loved it. Thanks Al, for being a friend, and eventually becoming family.

I now welcome AIKI DESIGNS LLC as my current webmaster. AIKI DESIGNS LLC will soon be designing and monitoring my myspace page, coming soon. Any and all issues that may occur within this website, should be addressed directly to the webmaster.......Thanks AIKI for your efforts and patience……Looking forward to working together for some time to come…...

And last but not least, John Lennon. Thanks John, for your lyrics, and what you stood for. For some reason, they apply so much to my beliefs, my life and me. I’m certain that I am not the only one that feels this way.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this section. It was important to me, to get this on the site. I know that I couldn’t have accomplished what I have without the people mentioned in this section. An old Rock and Roll Proverb: “Be kind to your people you meet on your way up, they will be the same people you meet on your way back down”!

Peace………….Jeff!

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