18: Interview with Garman L. Bowers Jr. - Civil War Era Drums, Reproductions and Restorations

The Early American Brass Band Podcast

Description: Episode 18 is a great interview with Garman L. Bowers Jr., percussionist, wood worker, and 19th century rope tension drum restorer and reproducer. We talk about the anatomy of these drums, Garman’s process for restoring a drum, and things to keep in mind when making a reproduction of a drum from this era.

Show notes for this episode are available at https://eabbpodcast.com/show-notes-2/. Music in this episode comes from Our Musical Past from the Library of Congress and The 8th GM Regiment Band. You can get in touch with us on social media, and by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you like the show, the best way you can support us is by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/eabbpodcast. We appreciate any support you feel compelled to give!

Episode Structure:

• 1:49 - Garman's musical background

• 4:58 - How Garman got into early American brass bands and Civil War reenacting

• 9:48 - Meeting Jari Villanueva, and how Garman got started playing with 19th century brass bands

• 11:27 - Garman's woodworking background

• 16:41 - Making period accurate chairs and stands for the Federal City Brass Band

• 20:29 - How Garman began to restore and reproduce 19th century rope tension drums

• 25:43 - Some of the drums that Garman has restored

• 28:35 - Things to consider when restoring drums, and how Garman determines the extent to which he restores drums

• 33:15 - Reproducing drums, and talking about sourcing materials

• 39:19- Process for reproducing a drum, referencing existing drums

• 42:04 - Rope tension drum designs

• 43:32 - Drum reproduction timeline

• 46:51 - Importance of preserving the labels that are on drums, other elements of drums that are tricky to restore/source

• 59:39 - Drum stick reproduction

• 1:08:20 - Where you can find Garman's work, and how you can get in touch with him if you're interested in any of his products

• 1:11:36 - Featured Album: Pride of the Regiment, Federal City Brass Band