The Story of Beverly
We have talked so much about Beverly, the woman who was the inspiration for our Spirit Awakening Drum and the person responsible for sending us on our drumming journey. In the following video, you can see her smiling face at 1:21 for a few brief moments as she talks about what drumming means to her. Thank you for your insight and encouragement. It changed our lives for the better. We miss you Beverly and we are sharing you and your philosophy with the universe!
For those of you who have followed the web site from the beginning, you may have wondered how our Spirit Awakening Drum got the name Beverly. Here is her story:
Thom has been drumming for many years. Many people know the type of drumming he does is not the entertainment type but spirit and healing drumming. When we lived in St.Petersburg, FL, we got our first opportunity at a drum gathering on the beach. This was something that really moved Thom. While we lived there we would go to the gatherings every chance we got. After moving to the panhandle of Florida in 2002, we were unable to attend drum gatherings very often so Thom would sit by the fire on our property in the Blackwater State Forest and play. Drumming would take him on journeys in inexplicable ways. When he was finished you could tell that it made him feel good and he really loved to play. In his words, "Many times I had no idea what type of sound was coming from the drum, I just knew it felt great."
When Thom was transferred to North Carolina, we were visiting Cherokee and heard drums playing at a coffee shop. We went in to listen and ended up staying and playing. After everyone was finished we talked with the lady that was leading the group. She was an awesome person named Beverly. She explained that she did drumming to help bring the spirit of living back into the lives of the people. She shared her philosophy about drumming with us. She believed that the Drum should be used around the world to heal, awaken spirits from within us here on earth, and the ones who have left this world to meet their Creator. She told us there were many uses for the Drum but the best use was to heal and improve one’s way of life and to awaken and teach others. One of her favorite sayings was "When people play a drum, they begin to have fun. And when you have fun, you forget your problems for a little while, and that's really what it's all about - having fun." We were allowed a short time to learn from this wonderful lady. After a few short years in NC, a job opportunity with a non-profit organization moved us to Knoxville, TN. Even though we were only 2 hours away, it was far enough that we could not attend many of the Drum gatherings and we slowly lost contact with her. Time passed and Thom would play the drum every chance he could.
One year we went to visit our friend Michelle in Montana. While we were there she introduced us to her friend Jim. While we were at Michelle’s, Jim offered to do a pipe ceremony for us. This was something we had never experienced and after some talk and understanding of what was involved, we accepted. Jim went to prepare and as he walked away he told us he was not sure which pipe to use so he would need to ask the spirits. There are some of you who already know the power of the pipe and understand how it is used. For those who have never had a chance to experience a pipe ceremony and may think because of the way it is used there would be some sort of drug involved, we can assure you there are no drugs used in a true pipe ceremony. After about 20 to 30 minutes, we (Judy, Michelle, and Thom) were standing on the front porch on a wonderful bright blue Montana sky kind of day and out of nowhere a large clap of thunder rolled through the sky. Jim has his personal pipe he uses for many things and he is also the keeper of one very special pipe that found its way to him. This pipe is the Thunder Pipe. Just after the thunder rolled you could hear Jim say, “Well, I guess I know what pipe we are using. This will be very special.” During the ceremony the vision of the Spirit Awakening Drum was given along with the Drums intent. This was something we had never experienced before and it was taking some time to process it in our heads. We weren't sure why we were to build this drum, however we knew that at some point the answer would be given to us.The one thing we knew right away was who was to build this drum. We had met him at the drum gatherings in Cherokee. His name is Bob and the drums he had made for us to use at the gatherings had part of Bob’s soul in them. So, we went in search of Bob. After some time we found him and explained what we needed and asked if he would build it and he agreed.
Sometimes things happen that you never expect.
We went back to Cherokee to find Beverly, the one person that we knew who could help guide us with our new Drum. With endless time spent searching and having no luck, Judy went on Facebook to search and eventually found her there. A message was sent, however when we received an answer it was not what we had expected. The message came from her sister informing us Beverly had recently passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease. We were shocked and saddened; we also knew that her spirit would continue to live on through drumming. She loved Mother Earth and wanted everyone to be aware that if, we as the human race, did not change our ways we would push her to a point that she would destroy us before we would destroy her. Beverly loved drumming and life and used drumming to awaken people’s spirits. She taught them that they should live their life in love and kindness and to protect our Mother Earth. She taught them that drumming was fun and relaxing and could help you heal. At this point, we all knew that this drum journey we were undertaking would be named in her honor.
It took almost two years to complete the drum.
A few months into the building of the drum, Thom received a call from Bob concerning the frame. When the buffalo hide was put onto the frame and pulled tight, the frame broke. Bob's message was, "This wood didn't want to be a drum." After rebuilding the frame, he again stretched the hide across the frame and in the drying process, the hide split. Bob's message was, "This hide didn't want to be a drum." The search then began for the correct buffalo hide for such a spiritual drum. In the end, a friend of Bob's who owned a buffalo ranch out west called him and told him that he had just lost one of his breeding bulls to natural causes and he felt that Bob was supposed to have the hide. Bob's message was, "This hide wants to be a drum." Soon after receiving the hide, Bob rolled his tractor over onto himself and was in rehabilitation for nearly a year. During this time, we continued to meditate on exactly how Beverly was to be used. When we finally were able to pick up our drum, we were amazed at the depth of tone that could be achieved. This drum was magical. It called to your heart and soul. It was, of course, completed exactly when the time was right.
We are honored to be the keepers of Beverly, the drum. We learn from her every day. Beverly, the woman's spirit, will live on and her passion for drumming will be known through this Spirit Awakening Drum.
We take drums with us everywhere we go. They are taken on our vacations, on our trips in the semi truck, and on our day jaunts. We have been allowed to play in many special places. We try to share Beverly's philosophy with everyone we meet. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone had a drum to play?
Thank You, Beverly.
We love you and we loved the passion you had for drumming and people.
A few months into the building of the drum, Thom received a call from Bob concerning the frame. When the buffalo hide was put onto the frame and pulled tight, the frame broke. Bob's message was, "This wood didn't want to be a drum." After rebuilding the frame, he again stretched the hide across the frame and in the drying process, the hide split. Bob's message was, "This hide didn't want to be a drum." The search then began for the correct buffalo hide for such a spiritual drum. In the end, a friend of Bob's who owned a buffalo ranch out west called him and told him that he had just lost one of his breeding bulls to natural causes and he felt that Bob was supposed to have the hide. Bob's message was, "This hide wants to be a drum." Soon after receiving the hide, Bob rolled his tractor over onto himself and was in rehabilitation for nearly a year. During this time, we continued to meditate on exactly how Beverly was to be used. When we finally were able to pick up our drum, we were amazed at the depth of tone that could be achieved. This drum was magical. It called to your heart and soul. It was, of course, completed exactly when the time was right.
We are honored to be the keepers of Beverly, the drum. We learn from her every day. Beverly, the woman's spirit, will live on and her passion for drumming will be known through this Spirit Awakening Drum.
We take drums with us everywhere we go. They are taken on our vacations, on our trips in the semi truck, and on our day jaunts. We have been allowed to play in many special places. We try to share Beverly's philosophy with everyone we meet. Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone had a drum to play?
Thank You, Beverly.
We love you and we loved the passion you had for drumming and people.
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Since the time of this writing, Beverly has been on many journeys and has been played in many states. If you would like to host Beverly to be brought to your area, please contact us at 850-398-1352 or pathdrummer@gmail.com and we will be happy to discuss the options.
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"I have been friends with Thom and Judy Dandridge for almost 15 years now! I used to go to their beautiful property in Florida to participate in drumming circles they invited me and my friends to. When I moved to Montana, they came to visit and we did a Pipe ceremony while they were staying with me. It was at this time that the vision for a healing drum came into being. I was very encouraging as I know that Thom truly listens to his own spirit and also to the Spirit of the Drum and was delighted when I found out that Beverly the Drum was being made. I was able to experience the healing vibrations of Beverly just recently while visiting Florida. It was a very beautiful experience that I will not forget. During my experience, I felt that I was releasing things that no longer served me. I saw many different animals and visions while listening to the drumbeat of Beverly overhead. When I came back from my experience, I was laying underneath the stars of a clear sky on the Earth and feeling blessed to have released things that needed to go in love. I would totally recommend a session with Thom, Judy, and Beverly the Drum. It is a wonderful and nurturing experience and helps to heal things that may have been held deep within the soul or heart. <3" ~ Michelle
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