Image borrowed from Phil Clothier's Posterous
Asheville recording studio Echo Mountain (a little piece of Nashville in Asheville, if you haven’t been) remembers Dennis Stauffer of Stauffer Percussion, the Asheville drum craftsman killed in a traffic accident last week.
Dennis was the mastermind behind the extremely well crafted Phattie Drums, Black Label Drums, Cocktail Drums, Steam Bent, and Sounds Like Art snare drums. Chances are, if you’ve used our drums here at the studio, you’ve played one of his kits. He’s made custom kits for everyone from The Avett Brothers to Eli Young Band, the Buzzcocks and more.
Read the entire remembrance here.
Stauffer’s business website is here.
Another remembrance from Phil Clothier, a co-worker of Staufffer’s wife, is here:
Dennis is clearly loved by many people. He was a craftsman drum builder and is recognised for the quality, innovation, artistry and sound of his remarkable custom drum kits. “Love your drums” was more than a marketing slogan for Dennis, it was a philosophy and deeply held belief that drove his entire work ethic and positively impacted his customers, suppliers and fans. The drum kit at the memorial church was a set Stauffer Percussion ”Phattie” drums.
Many people also spoke about his kindness, positive attitude and ability to see the good in everything and everyone. A number of times Dennis’s other favourite philosophy was quoted – It’s all good. This too was a way of life.
People from around the world had sent tributes for Dennis and the drum forums and Facebook pages were alive with stories, memories and tributes from people who had been touched by Dennis’s remarkable spirit. For a man who did not like fuss, it was a wonderful irony that morning mass at the Vatican yesterday was said in memory of Dennis.
Stauffer’s obituary and guestbook on the Asheville Citizen-Times are here.