Gary Asher: Drum connoisseur

Walking into Gary Asher’s “man cave” basement, the words of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody immediately come to mind: “Is this real life? Is this just fantasy?” There are drums literally from floor to ceiling. Big drums, small drums, colorful drums, signed drums and multiple famous drums.

By adding one set a month for 35 years, Asher’s collection now contains 300 sets and 600 snares, including drums from Heatwave, KISS, Fleetwood Mac, Lenny Kravitz, Santana and many more well known acts. He even has a set signed by Ringo Starr. His drums have also appeared in movies such as That Thing You Do and Drumline.

Asher’s life devotion as collector, teacher and drummer started at age 10 when he wanted to be in the Homewood band.

“I had worked all summer in order to buy my first set of drums,” Asher said. “I literally bought a set directly out of the paper because I wanted to be a part of Homewood High’s band when I was older, and I knew I needed to start learning. I got to be a drummer in the fourth grade band after I got that set.”

Almost 40 years later, Asher still has the beat of the drum in his heart. As a drum collector, he has traveled all over the world in order to continue to add to his already impressive collection.

William F. Ludwig II, son of the founder of the famous drum company, has been to visit Asher’s home six times. Asher said the manufacturer’s are some of his most prized drums.

“The William F. Ludwig Suite is the room that Mr. Ludwig would always stay in when he came to visit,” Asher said. “After the third visit, I wanted to honor The Chief and thought giving his room a nameplate was a great way to do so. He was one of the kindest men. One day he just sat down and shared the entire history of his business. It was unbelievable, and meant so much to an avid drum lover.”

Although Asher is proud of his extensive and unique collection, what really gets him talking is his teaching. In 1982 he founded the Drum School, where he began instructing more than 3,000 students from ages four to 87. In the three-month course he encourages everyone to give drumming a shot, not matter how rhythm-challenged the student may be. (He even convinced a certain reporter to give drumming a try.)

“Teaching is what I’m passionate about,” Asher said. “I was blessed with such phenomenal music teachers in Homewood that I wanted to give that to other generations as well. The love of music is hard to understand, but I do my best to tell students about it every chance I get.”

Somehow, amidst collecting and teaching, Asher still finds time to play with his wife, Fay Asher, in the Canterbury United Methodist Church Crossroads band.

“My most important gig is playing with her at church,” Asher said. “She is so incredibly talented and has traveled the globe with me. She truly is an amazing individual.”

Along with playing with his wife, he also is a member of five bands. He performs frequently with them, and even has had a gig at Workplay.

However, he believes he would not be the same person if it weren’t for the community he grew up in, Homewood.

“All of my success, the past 30 years of teaching, playing, traveling and collecting is all due to the Homewood Band,” Asher said. “Since the fourth grade I have been encouraged by multiple teachers to keep going after my dreams. Without them, who knows where I’d be?”