John "Big Sound" Shadowens

John (Big Sound) is from Marion, IL. He started playing drums while in college and joined his first band six months later. John spent the next fifteen years playing with several groups, including blues rockers "The Welfare Brothers" and "Badger" and dance band favorites "TheRidgemonts" and "Route 66". After giving up the bar band life to focus on ministry and family, John and Rich cofounded the contemporary Christian band "Calling 12" and toured and recorded for two years. Now John and Rich are united again with a common love for the blues. His day gig is as manager of several social service and prevention programs including Big Brothers Big Sisters. John lives in Marion with his wife and daughter, attends Aldersgate United Methodist Church and is active in youth ministry. Check out John's personal website by clicking here.

Equipment-

YES!! My first new kit in eleven years since the Granstar miracle of 1994. It is the 3005 series which is all maple. The finish is called autumn fade. I'm thrilled! The kick is like a cannon. Here's the specs; 10" rack (on back order), 12" and 13" racks, 16" floor and 22X17.5" Kick. I left the factory heads on, because if you tune 'em right they have this great "wet" sound. I've played two-ply hydraulic heads for 15 years, but I think I'm going back to single ply heads (it'll force me to change 'em as regularly as I should. The batter side of the kick I replaced with an Aquarian Superkick II. I'm using remo rings on the toms but the 14 X 5.5 is wide open tuned high and tight to ring off the back wall. Drives Danny crazy. Sweet! Snares include a Sonor 3000, Sonor 2000, and a Tama Basswood 5 1/2 X 14.

In the studio I use my 9 ply birch Tama Granstar Custom II's. At full set up it's 10", 11" and 12" rack toms, a 16" floor and 24" kick.

I play mostly Zildjian cymbals (A custom high hats, 16" and 17" crashes), with an old Zildjian A Series Ride and 10" splash. Recently I picked up this ancient pair of New beat hi-hats that are cracked. I love 'em. they are perfect for the blues. I also use a Sabian 15" crash and 14" mini-china on occassion. Accessories include a mounted Rhythm Tech tambourine and 6" and 8" Toca mini timbales.

The sticks are Pro-Mark 707's with nylon tips. The heads on the studio kit are Pinstripes. The touring kit has Remo UT's with an Aquarian Super Kick II batter head.