Check Out Delton Davis’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Delton Davis.

Hi Delton, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an author, educator, and founder of the organization, Kids Drumming. I created Kids Drumming as a means to channel my musical creativity, passion for language, culture, education, and working with kids all under one umbrella. I started my journey in Jackson, TN with a loving and supportive musical family that fostered my ambitions. I earned my bachelor’s in Music Performance from the University of TN at Martin, and I recently completed the single subject credentialing program at CSULB.

After my first time traveling overseas to Brazil with the percussion group from CSULB, I was faced with a philosophical challenge. I realized that I judged or had strong preconceived ideas about people in “other” countries prior to visiting or educating myself. Then I figured that I must not be the only person who has a level of ignorance about the people, language, culture, and music of countries outside of one’s native country. So, I decided to intentionally explore various countries on my own vs taking what I hear in the media from people who often have no first-hand exposure or connection to the country or culture. As a percussionist, I had already taken great interest in the world’s influences on drumming, I just needed to find a way to strengthen that connection and then create a lesson that would teach children what I learned. That was the birth of the Motto of Kids Drumming “Language and Culture Through The Drum” in which I take children on a “World Percussion Journey.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s been many bumpy roads in my journey and I’m constantly learning to view them as teachable moments. For example, when I was searching for an illustrator for my character Dunner The Drummer, I hit quite a few challenges. I didn’t know how to articulate my animation vision to illustrators; therefore, a lot of time and money was spent along with unanswered phone calls to illustrators. I’ve been ghosted a few times, even though I was willing to pay for revisions. I then took it upon myself to take an animation class. This was a game-changer on so many levels! I’ll place a pin on this part and circle back around to it. During the pandemic shutdown, I started drawing on my own and found a passion for it. My drawing practice consisted of taking a family photo or an image online and drawing it on my own via live streaming. I was encouraged by people’s responses, and my confidence in my ideas and ability grew. I then started looking at tutorials on animation and came across free animation software, such as Blender. Fast forward a few years later, I entered the credentialing program at CSULB and enrolled in an animation class in my 1st semester. The professor was incredible! Because I was in a class with art majors, I felt I had to work extra hard. I embraced the challenge with an eager and willing mind and a strong work ethic. I learned about the walk cycle, the flour sack exercise, and so much more. I exceeded my goals, and I felt more competent in communicating with illustrators and animators. After all, the goal is to turn Dunner The Drummer into an animated TV series. At a bare minimum, I can now sketch out my ideas for the illustrator and allow them to bring their creativity and skill to the table. To this day, I find joy and relaxation in creating my own animation clips to flesh out ideas and just be creative.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love creating content for kids that introduces them to the rhythmic world around us. As I mentioned, through Kids Drumming, we take children on a “World Percussion Journey”. “Language and Culture Through The Drum”. I use the drum as a means to introduce various countries and phrases in the language that comes with those countries. I then took the essence of the World Percussion Journey and placed it into the form of the character Dunner The Drummer, who is a 9yr old who aspires to travel the world and play drums to carry on the legacy of his grandad, whom he calls Papa. Dunner receives Papa’s special drumsticks and drum, and Dunner carries them around everywhere he goes – – that’s why people call him, Dunner The Drummer.

My goal is for children to have access to my content on multiple platforms. Content is available online through the World Percussion Journey series, in which episodes explore the music of various countries. I have also created interactive activity books that include audio samples for listening and practicing, coloring, and other activities which can be adopted by school districts and implemented into the curriculum. I am also developing comic books and a children’s book series that all coincide with the animated TV series. Though there are multiple branches, they all fit within the overarching umbrella of my focused passions: education, creativity, music, travel, and language.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is when I’m able to be a vessel walking in the purpose that God has for me. I believe when we take ownership of and walk in our purpose, there’s a level of confidence and security that comes and propels you to the next step. I’m referring to not being jealous when I see other people doing the very things I desire or strive to do. Yes, it can be a mental battle as you question, “Why are they doing ____, and I’m still stuck at ____.” The list can go on and on. However, when we’re able to hone in on our personal purpose and journey while being willing to embrace the discomfort of challenge…we can strive for internal peace and joy that exude from within that surpass our understanding.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kidsdrumming.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidsdrumming/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidsdrumming
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deltondavis/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kidsdrumming
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kidsdrumming9671
• Other: https://hyperfollow.com/deltondavis

Image Credits
Comicon LA, Drumming event at MOLAA, 1st issue of Dunner The Drummer comic book, Lalibela, Ethiopia