Prager Captures Third Guinness Record: Still Drummin’

Follow Up:

Clearwater, Florida– Exactly one week after setting out to break his third marathon drumming record, Russ Prager is still going strong.

Enclosed in a specially constructed glass hut, Prager has been on display since last Wednesday in the parking lot of a Florida Quaker Steak n’ Lube.

After besting Andrew W.K.’s drumming in a retail store record in the first 24 hours and Kunto Hartono’s marathon drumming time of 120 hours, a confident Russ Prager hopes to continue his attempt for as long as he can remain awake.

According to Guinness Book rules Prager was allowed 30 seconds between each song to take a breath or use the restroom.  In addition to those small breaks, Prager was allowed 5 minutes of rest for every hour of playing.  These breaks could be taken in 5 minute increments as they came or compounded to form a longer resting time.

Proceeds raised from this world record attempt will go to the American Red Cross, specifically disaster relief.

This event is streaming live at TalkWad TV.  Donations are being accepted at TalkWad TV.

Check out video coverage of the event byLibby Hendren of WTSP 10.

Juggle Roll

Week of September 30

Here is the first weekly video tutorial brought to you by Back-Stick Beat. This weeks topic is The Juggle Roll.

I chose this roll as the first of this series because it has a nice left handed Back-Stick beat right in the middle of it.

Used mostly in marching this trick roll can be adapted to the kit and other aspects of your playing.  It is best to get a feel for the movement of this roll by starting off at a slow tempo. However, it is my experience that once you pick up the pace, the momentum of this roll helps you maintain the juggle.  Practice Practice Practice.

The sticking is (R)RR(L)RRLL…. (R) is the right hand grab stroke (L) is the left hand Back-Stick beat.

Russ Prager: Poised to Take Back Guinness Record

Guinness Book of World Records holder Andrew W.K. will make a stop in Reno to perform his set at the Holland Project on October 19.  Back in June of this year W.K. was awarded a Guinness record for 24 hours of straight drumming inside the Oakley store in Manhattan’s Times Square.  However, by the time he reaches Reno that record which he has held for only three short months may already be in the sweaty hands of another drummer.

Meet Russ Prager.  He is a two-time Guinness world-record holder in the category of marathon drumming and he has his eyes set on not only W.K.’s 24 hour in a retail store record, but also the current marathon drumming title.  He will make his attempt to break both of these records this Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.

Prager is no stranger to the world of world records however.  In May 2003 after 58 grueling hours of beating his drums he earned his first marathon drumming record.  In 2009 a more experienced Prager bested his own record with a 120 hour marathon drumming session, further solidifying his place in the Guinness book.

Here is a video courtesy of KCRA 3 profiling Russ Prager’s 2009 record breaking attempt.

Kunto Hartono of Indonesia has held the marathon drumming record since January 1, 2013 when he surpassed Prager’s previous record of 120 hours (five days) with an impressive 122 hour twenty-five minute successful attempt.

Prager has raised tens of thousands of dollars for various organizations in his marathon drumming career.  All of the proceeds from Wednesdays attempt will go to the American Red Cross and the Internet Broadcasting Network, an organization which brings free media to non-profit organizations.

The event will take place at Quaker Steak and Lube in Clearwater, Florida at 7 p.m.  It will continue as long as Prager is behind the kit or until he breaks the record.  To start, Prager will perform four back to back sets with his band, Black Sun. Then he will make his attempt at Andrew W.K.’s 24 hour in a retail store record.  After a short break he will sit down at his kit for the long haul, a 125 hour marathon drumming session with which he hopes to regain his place in the Guinness Book of World Records.