When I began to get into sailing, about ten years ago, it was a transitional time for me. I was in my mid-forties and thinking it was about time to ease out of the music business and possibly retire. The plan was to give up my seven-piece show band which I both managed and played drums for, and possibly put together a trio just for fun. I'd always wanted to play Latin drums, but since 1960 had been a drumset drummer. So I bought some Latin drums, formed my new band and became a "different kind of drummer". I also bought a sailboat-a San Juan 21-the first "Different Drummer". I was hooked on the sailing lifestyle, but after a few years of playing Latin drums we made our first CD which did well. Now, nine years later I'm on my fourth sailboat, second CD and back to working full time as a musician. Even though we're on the road a lot and work over 100 nights a year, sailing & living aboard still plays a big part in my life and that of my partner, Sherrie Lawhorn. Incidentally, my dinghy is named "Timbale" which is a "different" type of Latin drum. - Chris Gregory