Nigerian drummer seeking visa to join WoodStick 2007

A young Nigerian drummer has been trying to gain a visa to enter the United States so he can participate in Woodstick 2007, according to word from Chris Kimball, an organizer of Woodstick 2007.

The drumming event is an attempt to set a new Guinness Book World Record for the number of drummers playing the same song at the same time in the same place. This year will be the fifth consecutive event.

Kimball, a Lakewood, Washington financial planner by profession and drummer by hobby, has headed up the drumming record attempt since 2003.

This year’s attempt will be held in the ShowPlex at the Puyallup Fairgrounds in October. Last year more than 500 drummers participated, setting a new record. This year, Kimball said he hopes to gather 1,000 participants.
Funds generated from the event, after expenses, go to charitable organizations including the Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center at the University of Washington and Tacoma Network Services, an organization in Tacoma helping the homeless and destitute of the area.

According to communications received by Kimball, Olaitan David Olatunji of Nigeria, is an aspiring amateur drummer. He learned of the drumming event and has been trying to participate each year. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had any success for a variety of reasons and hopes contacts to a Senator or Congressman from Washington State might help him get the required paperwork issued.

Drummers from many areas of the United States and several foreign countries, including European, have signed up in the past and are already registering to participate this year, Kimball reported. Getting this Nigerian young man involved would open the event to another area of the world, he added.

For more information on Woodstick 2007, check the webpage: http://www.woodstick2007.com. This news release is used as a courtesy of The Suburban Times: www.subtimes.com.