This made me smile. I learned to play drums when I was 9 years old from a guy who sounds a lot like your Damon. He too had a Ludwig set, of course. I remember my first set and especially my first Zildjian cymbal. It has been a LONG time since I played, but to this day, whenever I hear the band Chicago and my favorite drummer Danny Seraphine play, my right foot and left foot begin to paradiddle (we didn't call it that) and soon my right and left hands are tapping out whatever song is playing. LOL.