Eagan Dixon O, 6 years old - Drums
My name is Hubert Emerson Ortis, father of Eagan Dixon O. At 3 years old, Eagan discovered the kick drum pedal. Our family couldn’t find a minute of quiet time after that. Soon after, he started using the drumsticks. Too short to sit, he stood up stomping and hitting randomly.
When time for the band to rehearse, Eagan would pitch a fit when we decided to put him out. It wasn’t until 5 months later at age 3 ½ he accompanied me to a music store where there was an electronic drum set. Immediately he went over to it and wanted to put the headphones on. An idea struck me, “This will keep him occupied while I make my purchase.” I asked the salesman for a pair of drumsticks.
After I completed my purchase, I wanted to hear what the electronic drums sounded like. I couldn’t believe my ears: Eagan had a beat! At first I thought it was a patch on the electronic drum kit until he stopped playing and wanted the headphones back. I decided to buy him a drum set at that very moment.
I bought him an acoustic 5-piece Mapex, hardware and all. Still unable to sit, even on the lowest throne that I could find, he stood and in a matter of 2-3 weeks, Eagan was playing with my band. I really can’t say what happened, I guess it’s the close proximity of the sound in his ear from the electronic drums that stimulated his incredible coordination and timing. I also would like to give credit to Mapex for their explicit video instruction that Eagan still listens to occasionally.
