Lou Mars Facts:
Hours played: 108.5 (4.5 days) Place in the records for longest marathon drumming: 2nd Broken drumsticks given away by Lou to children: 36 Volunteers: 120 UStream.tv views: 47,872 Number of positive comments and e-mails received: +1,000 Amount of money made for Little Kids Rock: $700.00 Impact made on everyone involved: Unmeasurable
From January 14th to January 18th, 2010, Lou Mars attempted to break the Guinness Book of Word Records for Marathon Drumming in Chico, California. The event has changed the lives of many of the participants, volunteers and spectators alike. Lou’s endurance has become and inspiration to people all over the world. Both the visitors to NorCal Strength and Conditioning and viewers on the Ustream channel could not help but be compelled to support Lou. Workplace computer monitors all over the Chico as well as the Seattle Police Department where tuned into Lou during the event. The Mark & Brain syndicated radio show streamed the audio from the event live for two days. Some terms from Guinness on Marathon Drumming Record:
Lou could not be touched while drumming He could accumulate 5 min breaks every hour
Lou’s attempt to break the World Record for Marathon Drumming was a catalyst for change in Lou’s life, as he realized he would like to bring awareness to cancer and it’s connection to diet and exercise. Lou was inspired by his late friend Richard McKinley who recently passed away from cancer. Lou’s uncle is also currently suffering from cancer. He would also like kids to step up from Rock Band and Guitar Hero video games to real instruments. Lou played on both his Dixon Outlaw drum set he won in our “Drum Your Way to Hollywood” contest as well as an Urban Camo Demon drum kit which was given away to a lucky donor with the proceeds went to help Little Kids Rock. It was reported that Lou’s drum equipment failed. This was untrue. The Dixon drum sets held strong, however, Lou’s hard hitting did vibrate three lug nuts from the bottom of one snare, and one bass drum nut completely unscrewed itself over the 4.5 day duration. The snares on the back-up snare drum were also vibrated loose. Over-all the gear held through a ferocious beating. With that said 30 sticks were cracked or broken and one pair of aluminum sticks bent during the process. Brian Peterson and Lou Mars will be making of a mini documentary regarding the event. The documentary will explore the story in depth and the secondary stories that occurred during the process. The team will have a party on Friday the 29th which will also be livestreamed. Key players:
Husband and Wife team Robb Wolf and Nikki Violetti, strength & conditioning coaches, owners of NorCal Strength and Conditioning (Facebook) They kept Lou eating, hydrating, monitored Lou’s electrolyte levels. Tory Zellick with In Touch Body Works (Facebook), training up to the day of the event as well as physical therapist during the event.
Secondary Players:
Atty. David Howard, Legal sponsor, DM Howard Law Karen Maraschiello, Lou’s wife Brian Logue, Lou’s friend, fellow drummer, spiritual guide Brian Peterson, Photographer, sponsor, Peterson Pro Video Andy Deas, cheerleader for Lou near the last sets Dr. John Fargoso, Fargos Chiropractic, assisting with breaks, dropped what he was doing for next four days after becoming attached to the project after day one. Aunt Pam, provided backup speaker system
Some quotes from the post-event video interview with Lou and his team Nikki on the event: “It was one of the most amazing weeks of my life. All of us can attest to that. We all had a singular goal. I have never been more present or more in the now in any other given period of time ever before in my entire life, because there was never a monument to think about yesterday or tomorrow, it was always right now.” Lou regarding ear fatigue and/or deliriousness after several days of drumming: “When the music started distorting, at points, I started hearing second levels to the songs at different levels and different tempos and speeds…I’ve got to tell you, as a profession drummer, having to let yourself go, to have someone else get you on the beat…was bizarre to to have to let that go.” Tory Zellick on Brian Logue: “It went from a state of chaos to controlled chaos. When you are in the stage of chaos and you get that little bit of control it makes all the difference in the world. We were so sleep deprived and everything was changing every minute that we were in a constant state of reaction, that to have someone to bring it all back to center, it was almost like a baby sitter. It was perfect. He took control of the situation and he and Lou become one. And it was so healthy for everyone.” Karen regarding her husband Lou: “It was very stressful. Watching him hurt himself took on a whole new meaning for me. I would see him hitting with his wrists that hard and I felt like I could feel his pain. Robb had to settle me down a couple times, where I said I think you need to get him off the kit. It is too much, I can’t take it. And Robb finally said around day 3 he said ‘this is the way Lou wants to do it, you either support him and smile when you see him or don’t be around.’ So at that time I made the decision, Ok, I am on board, and I’ll see it through. But it was hard. There were times when I didn’t want to be here, but I didn’t want to leave. And when I left all I could [think about] was to get back here as quickly as possible.” Lou on getting in shape for the event: “When I first started this project, at the end of September I could not run to the mailbox enough. I was so out of shape. I drank heavily, I ate poorly, I was 217 lbs. My waist was pushing a [size] 38, and just didn’t feel good about myself or much of about anything around at that time. When this came up, I knew this would force me to change.” Sponsors:
NorCal Strength and Conditioning Candace McDonald Kremer, Preference Chiropractor Dixon Drums (Facebook) Peterson Pro Video DM Howard Law In Touch Body Works Paleo Brands (Facebook) Logo Merchant
Robb Wolf’s account of the event Brian Peterson account of the event KNVN News Nikki Violetti with NorCal Strength and Conditioning Robb Wolf, Nikki Violetti with NorCal Strength and Conditioning Crowd at NorCal Strength and Conditioning watches and cheers Lou Tory Zellick with In Touch Body Works cheers for Lou Lou puts his head on ice Andy Deas cheers for Lou Robb Wolf sharing words of encouragement with Lou Brian Peterson recording the moment Photos by Dain Sandoval.
