Where can you find an exclusive audience of customers for high-end drums, cymbals and accessories? A large group of pro players who gig and teach and influence other's purchasing decisions? Over the past few weeks we've asked TRAPS readers to tell us about themselves and the gear they buy. Their stories are astonishing and over the next few days we'll share them with you. Here they are, in their own words.

Adrian Peek: Buying Gear Since

TRAPS READER STORY #1: Adrian Peek (Los Angeles, CA) has played drums for 43 years and has performed professionally since 1966. He recorded his first hit record in 1969.

Why I Read TRAPS: The only drum/music magazine I subscribe to is TRAPS. The very well-written, in-depth interviews with and biographies of truly great drummers are a joy to read. The entire flavor of TRAPS is intelligent and mature. The very strong and welcome anti-rock/pop flash-in-the-pan-over-substance tone makes for hugely substantive credibility. It's a drum mag for smart and intelligent professional musicians – folks that are in this career for the long haul!

Why It Matters: I'm a good target customer because I've been buying drums, cymbals, sticks, heads, cases, and percussion since 1964 – much more investment over time than a 16-year-old kid that probably won't ever buy a stick after moving from home.

A Drummer and Ad Buyer Speaks Out

TRAPS READER STORY #2: Bill Batty Jr. (Rockland, Maine) has played drums since the age of ten, and has performed professionally for the past 26 years.

Why I Read TRAPS: I like TRAPS because it fits me as a drummer. I like jazz and rock, and your mag focuses on music that appeals to me. I've been a subscriber to Modern Drummer since March of '89. I far prefer your mag.

Why It Matters: By day, I work in marketing and management for an Internet company. I buy the advertising for my company, so I do know a little bit about it. It seems to me that the readers of your magazine are the target audience for the high-end kits. Who is going to buy the Tama Bubinga Omni Tune or the Gretsch Anniversary kit? Not the 21-year-old kids who are into Slipknot – they don't have the income for it! Your mag hits the people who are a little older, and who have some disposable income.

Bill Bunkers: Just Can't Stop Buying Ride Cymbals

TRAPS READER STORY #3: Bill Bunkers (Oak Park, IL) has been a drummer for 38 years, and continues to play in a band. He is the father of two drummers, has volunteered as a percussion patron for his son's school music programs, and is active on drumming Internet message boards.

Why I Read TRAPS: I dig TRAPS and appreciate a publication that's such high quality! The longer profiles usually take me a few days of piecemeal reading to complete. I read it in pieces – before bed, when I'm on a plane, etc.

Why It Matters: Because I buy stuff, probably $2,000 – $3,000 a year, some years more. This past year I bought four ride cymbals, a couple of crashes, heads and sticks, percussion toys and tools, a Craviotto snare, an additional floor tom for my DW zebrawood kit. So though I'm not a pro, and my largest audience will probably never number more than a few hundred, I am active and vocal in the drum community. I think most of your advertisers would love to have me as a loyal customer.

Next Issue: Lenny White and the Return of RTF