Sticks and stones may break bones, but “Sticks ‘n’ Skins” broke eardrums at the UF Bookstore on Tuesday.
Jules Follett, an entertainment photographer, came to UF to sign copies of her newly released book “Sticks ‘n’ Skins: A Photography Book About the World of Drumming.”
She promoted her book in 34 cities in 2010 and hopes to hit 50 this year.
This is the first published coffee-table book for drummers, she said. It is 564 pages long and weighs 8.8 pounds. It is filled with photographs of 516 drummers at concerts, music festivals and clinics.
Follett spent two-and-a-half years working on the project, traveling to 53 cities and photographing drummers. She said she was attracted to the project because it was something that had not been done before.
Follett had little knowledge of drumming when she began the project.
“I can’t even hum a tune,” she said. “I don’t sing in church because I don’t think God would like it.”
She said the brotherhood between drummers is different than the relationships between other musicians. They are more like a family and that is what made the book possible, she said.
“One drummer gives you 10 more,” Follett said. “I feel a responsibility to give back to the drumming community since they made it so easy. They’ve been so supportive of the book.”
Dom Famularo, a drummer featured in the book, performed at the book signing and gave free lessons to 12 people.
“Drumming is about passion,” Famularo said. “I am 57 years young and I’m still doing what I love doing.”
