Dione Thomas believes it’s discipline that makes a good drummer and a willingness to devote countless hours of playing to perfecting the craft.
And those two traits are part of what makes Thomas the newest recipient of the Clarksdale Drummers Award as he was named one of the city’s legendary drummers that includes greats known around the world.
He was recognized Thursday during a presentation at the New Roxy on Issaqusena Avenue as part of the opening night festivities for Juke Joint Festival 16. The presentation was made by Derick Kemp, president of the Clarksdale Drummers Association.
Kemp said Thomas is a worthy recipient of the award, which is now in its 11th year. He said Thomas is known not just in Clarksdale, but also nationally and internationally.
“He has paid his dues,” Kemp said. “When your experience has gotten a certain point, the experience and innovation is going to show. And it’s years and years. It’s not a microwave thing.
“Food that comes out of the oven is better than food that comes out of the microwave.”
The 43-year-old Thomas said he has been playing since the drums since he was 8 or 9 years old. He’s currently serving as the drummer for the Stone Gas Band.
“I’ve put a whole lot of my life, dedicating my life to this,” said Thomas, who added it was a special moment when he was called on stage to receive the award.
“No one has ever presented me with an award like this,” Thomas said. “It’s so very special. It shows that no matter how young you are, you can always become what your dreams are. But I never dreamed I would win an award like this.”
He said he idolizes the musical talent of drummer Sam Carr, who was the first recipient of the Clarksdale Legendary Drummers Award. And he learned the value of discipline by watching Carr play.
“You’ve got to have patience and you’ve got to also be able to be play with other people,” Thomas said. “If you’re playing all over, you never get the feel of what the other musicians are doing. It’s a lot of patience and character.”
He thanked his wife, Mizz Ann, for sticking with him through the years, and his parents, Pearl and Harvell Thomas Sr., and his godparents, Ethel and Robert Stewart of Lambert. Others receiving thanks were his brother, Harvell, who is a well-known bass player and plays in the Stone Gas Band with Dione. Other band mates include Dennis, Rickey and Thelma.
