The Todd Thompson Era officially ends on Friday, November 24 (Black Friday!)
That sentence was tough to write. And I’m sure I could have done a better job phrasing the thought.
But it grabs your attention to read on—which is my aim here.
Zach Brassington—our new primary drummer—and I were driving back from the Battle of the Bands in Rhinelander last March when I got the message. Todd sent a long text in which he said he had decided to play out the remaining dates he already committed to and then he would end his run with the band.
November 24 is the last date on that list. It’ll be inside the taproom at Lake Louis (still known as Wisconsin Brewing Company to many,) in Verona from 6:00 to 9:00. We all hope you can make it there after a long day of Black Friday shopping. You won’t want to miss this event!
This is not a bitter parting of the ways due to internal band politics. We haven’t had pillow fights over the set list. Far from it. You’ll even see him sit in occasionally down the line when Zach has a conflict.
It was the time commitment that forced his hand.To paraphrase something Todd said to me, the success of the band outgrew his ability to keep up with our scheduling demands.
Instead of having to say “no” to the incoming flood of play date requests—we scheduled about 85 gigs in 2023—he felt it was best to back out and let us find a drummer with greater availability.
If I were just a little bit smarter I’d realize he was implying that he has a “life.” And we—by comparison—don’t!
There’s more than a shred of truth to that. Todd plays with two other bands. He’s also the father of two teenagers who are buried in multiple extracurricular activities. There’s no way he can do all of that and keep up the pace of playing a show with us every 4.29 days (on average.)
The business part of me had to accept this reality, secure a replacement (Zach,) and keep motoring on as the number of shows piles up. With Zach able to take the lead and guys like Gary Beal and Tommy Lee on standby we’re secure with drummers.
The personal side of me wanted to reflect a little on my partnership and friendship with Todd. This goes back over 25 years.
Todd was a senior snare drummer in the UW Marching Band when I returned as a field assistant in 1996. We bonded over some common traits.
We connected when he and I would both show up at offshoot band appearances and run-out shows. Band members were required to play at a certain number of men’s basketball and hockey games during the spring semester, but things like volleyball, women’s hockey, and privately hired shows were completely voluntary.
Within that organization of over 300 players there are always a couple of dozen dedicated souls who would go out every chance they got to blast out Badger tunes and entertain a crowd. Todd and I were two of those souls.
Maybe a dozen players would be needed to play Fifth Quarter hits at a birthday party. The Badger volleyball team might want a group to play for an important match. A wedding of UW alums would want “On Wisconsin” and the “Bud Song” at their reception. He was known for leading small groups of the band at these pick up gigs. I had done the same sort of thing in my band days almost a decade before.
But unlike other organizers of such groups, we also had respect for the showmanship Mike Leckrone had shown us was needed to “sell” a show. We learned there was a world of difference between just playing a series of tunes and actually organizing a flow to it. Along with the narration/jokes used to make it into a complete performance.
From that time through today Todd and I share a nearly identical perspective on what constitutes a great show. We used it to create a strong Madison chapter of the UW Alumni Band. Then we brought it along with us when we built the showy reputation of The Red Hot Horn Dawgs.
I absolutely had to have this experience when I put together The Dawg Bones in 2017. Steve Oasen was our star on guitar. I was a raw beginner on the upright bass and not completely sure what direction the band would take. (Jesus, we played “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” at our early shows!) I needed his drumming skills, sure. But I needed his insight and our decades of shared show philosophy as well.
And it has paid off extremely well! We have found our way musically (mostly!) The audience engagement and gags/jokes/schtick resonates with people wherever we go. And I have Todd to thank for helping to establish that track.
Our association has been even deeper on a personal level. In addition to the mutual social time with our bandmates and peers, we have been around for hallmark events in each other’s lives. Todd was my best man when I married Sue. I read scripture at his wedding and played at the reception. I can’t count the number of times he’s helped me with wood related projects: chainsawing, table sawing, etc.
Don’t get me started on all the beer, scotch, and bourbons we have sampled since the Clinton Administration. (♫♪“One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer!”♫♫) ‘Cept it was way more than one…
To sum it up, I am eternally grateful for all the talent and time Todd has shared with me throughout the years both on and off the stage. (And his table top drill press, which has been in my garage for almost ten years.) He’s one of a kind and I’m a little emotional that this chapter in our association is coming to a close.
Friday, November 24, at Lake Louis Brewing.
Be there.