GoPro Music: Tony Royster Jr. - Drummer's Odyssey

Tony Royster Jr. discovered his calling in life was to play the drums; he was 3 years old. At the age of 5, his father bought him his first real drum set. By the time he was 11, he was labeled a child prodigy, and ranked among the best in the world.

"I just continued to play, to stick with it. I always had a passion for drums….the rhythm, the feel, the sound, the way it made me feel when I played, automatically made me feel like this is what I'm supposed to be doing." Tony Royster, Jr.

Today, Tony is widely recognized as one of the world's most acclaimed & gifted drummers, working and touring with the world's biggest rock & hip hop acts. GoPro is honored to present a unique glimpse into Tony's gift as told through an intimate, live multimedia drum performance.

Recorded on a custom built GoPro production set at the DW drum factory, and scored by Tony's personal home video projections, Tony transforms his drums, childhood memories, and a few GoPro cameras into a drum solo that must be heard, and seen, to believe..

Special Thanks:
DW Drums
REMO Drum Heads
Sabian Cymbals
Vic Firth Drum Sticks

Projection Specialist:
Mattia Casalegno

Additional Music Courtesy of ExtremeMusic

[RevolutionInsignia]

Blast beats, gravity blasts, double bass, fill control, stick flares, cymbal work, speed, accuracy, power, duration, metal influences, jazz influences, hip-hop influences.... this guy deserves his crown.

[Randothol]

It's not about speed. It's about feeling and a naturally blessed gift. This man has it. Envious to say the least. A pleasure to listen to.

[LiveAllegroDieAdagio]

Tony Royster Jr has personified the term "best drummer" he has mastered everything from raw groove and powerful technique to theory and flow, this guy can literally build emotions and write stories from behind the kit, he has taken the lessons from years of praised drummers and molded them into a style that could suit just about anyone's ears and stop anybody in their tracks to watch, this guys has truly become the master as such a young age, there is no better model of persistence, talent, hard work, and dedication. Thank you Tony Royster for being such an inspiration to all drummers out there today.

[jaco]

I am not dissing anyone, but issuing a challenge: Try to appreciate talent instead of commenting negatively. If its your first reaction to want to say something negative, challenge yourself by watching the video and trying a compliment instead. If its not your style or something like that, try use the video to experience something new and broaden your horizons a bit :) This kid is amazing! Lets love not hate, fellow humans! :D

[BCapelas]

The importance of his father on let him be a kid a follow his dreams. that is pure gold

[zahnderofficial]

I had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman when he was 18. I drum as well (nowhere near his skill level) and happened to be in a recording studio in NYC and saw a practice pad and some sticks lying there. Of course I felt inclined to pick the sticks up and peck at the pad a bit. This dude must've had a radar because I had no idea he was in the building at all. Just appears like a wizard around the corner of the next room and watches me drum for a bit. Then after a moment nods his head in approval and sticks out his hand and motions that he'd like to try. I needed a new pair of pants after he played.

P.S. Tony is a humble dude.

[andrumalm]

To all drummers everywhere: keep on drumming, moving, grooving, sweating, breathe, relax, expand, contract, breathe, exhale, feel, be real, trust yourself, practice, breathe, keep on drumming....never stop drumming, move ahead, feel, be real, smile.

[GoPro]

Video of the Day!

Play along as Tony Royster, Jr. takes us on a musical journey. Drumroll, please. 

[bustarhymes]

i could watch this guy drum all day man

[Pietro.Valente]

Tony is really amazing!
One thing I would like to say is: you don't need to come from a music family to become a good musician and I strongly believe that each person in this world with a genuine enthusiasm for music and a lot of hard work can become a great musician.

[sickdrummer]

My father brought me on tour soon has I was no longer in diapers. Started drumming at 4 years old. I’m 40. My career has a drummer started my senior year in high school. Now the past 12 years I’ve became a session drummer in the studio and touring the world for bands in need of a drummer on the road. Those of us blessed enough to get paid to do hat we love is quite amazing. Thank god for endorsements being in place. I have done clinics with Tony. He’s a good dude.

[AmandaLouiseW]

Holy shit. This man is in a league of his own. SO freaking talented!

[vocalpro]

I love this guy. He is arguably one of the first kids we watched grow up through YouTube updates. And instead of being a 12yo who could do some stuff, he evolved into an amazing player.
Regardless of natural talent, no one gets thay good without a solid work ethic. He deserves his place.

[pLaKa-tm]

He has the groove! I love how he changes from fast to slow, from simple to crazy hard beats :)

[mikemccarthy]

I think this video should be shown in every music class. This guy is one of a kind I love this video

[bakerXderek]

I remember seeing his 12 year old drum solo, shit was insane ! 

[perfectdarkzero]

So much negativity calling this boring. If you played drums it wouldn't be so boring. Tony Royster Jr. is big in the drumming community and a lot of drummers in the 18-25 age group grew up with him. He's an inspiration. The stuff you just saw him play, a lot of us can't even dream of doing. Maybe not adrenaline pumping no, and boring to some sure, but not everyone find sports interesting either. There's a big world out there, and a GoPro can record and share all of it.

[ChimichangaGuy]

Easily the greatest drummer of all time. Fast when he wants and can hold a killer groove like no other.

[joeyarena]

for all you dissing this guy but this guy is what gopro is all about being a Hero! some people will look up to him and try and better them self as a artist just because this video isn't action packed doesn't mean it shouldn't be here!

[jonoman]

I think that Tony is and should be a great role model for future drummers out there and ps I think he is an amazing drummer. :D