| Life on the Outskirts of NAMM A small drum company makes gentle waves and kindles interest in the shadows of the majors
by Robert L. Doerschuk
July 22, 2000
Tucked in a corridor that connects the Annex to the Nashville Convention Center, Walt Johnston minds the WorldMax booth. While people may be crowding the booths of the Big Names at this Summer NAMM show, for Johnston, traffic is light; an occasional visitor pauses to chat and look at the small selection of drums, but most seem to be friends rather than dealers or potential customers.
When one passer-by stops to ask about the WorldMax line, Johnston flashes a look of ironic helplessness.
"Aren't there any dealers here in Nashville?" the visitor asks.
"I don't know. You tell me."
Walt Johnston with the WorldMax "Black Dog" snare.
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Johnston -- balding and heavy-set, with a trim gray beard and deep smile lines -- is actually a retired drum salesman, formerly with a Nashville drum store. Unlike most of the corporate go-getters working the show, he's here not to shatter profit projections but to do a favor for a friend.
"David Lo founded this company in Taiwan," Johnston says. "For 18 years he ran the Pearl factory over there before leaving to put his own company together. He was a good guy."
Was, because Lo passed away on July 5, leaving WorldMax to his wife Susan, who runs it now. His last project, the BK-5014SFC ("Black Dog") snare, won notice by taking third place in the latest annual Snare Drum Olympics.
The visitor, intrigued by the drum's performance, pushes for more information. "So how can I order WorldMax gear?"
Johnston shrugs, a look of innocence in his eyes. "Well," he suggests after some thought, "you could order from me." The number to call, by the way, is 615-365-3965; the email is Wjohns2326@aol.com.
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