The Birth of the Farmer Musical Instrument Company

The Farmer Foot Drum Deluxe was first conceived while I was listening to John Lee Hooker in my woodshop back in 2003. In some of his songs I could hear his feet tapping wonderful rhythmic beats to accompany his guitar and voice - it sounded as if he had a drummer playing right next to him. Wanting to do the same, but with a more full and rounded drum kit sound, I dreamed up a drum kit that was acoustic, simple for your feet to play, and looked classic.

Using portability, great sound, and durability as the guiding principals in design, I eventually constructed a crude contraption out of my envisioned instrument. After the original Foot Drum's rather slapdash beginnings, I decided to officially start up my own business in the fall of 2005 after hearing too many folks asking to buy it out from under my feet. As a full time high school history teacher with a little rented single car garage and student loans up the yazoo, I knew it was going to be a slog if I was going to advance the concept of a foot played drum kit with shakers, tambourines, snare, bass and more. But enlivened with the passion to creatively work with my hands and the encouragement from strangers, family, and friends I developed the production model Foot Drum to the point where I could open them up for sale in early 2006.

However, having spent too many late nights alone in a cold overcrowded single car garage I came to realize that I would need some help to round out my business and manufacturing education to make this venture really succeed - enter Kerry Carlson of Innovative Manufacturing. A former tap handle builder for all the major microbreweries in the US (before China pulled the rug out), Kerry unveiled a whole world of parts, machines, jigs, catalogs, and contraptions that would ultimately help me to make a better product that produced less waste and took less time. It is these savings, innovations, and great acoustics that I (we) have passed on to you, my bread and butter, my customer.

Today, I work in a modern shop with all the tools that make working a joy.  I play music as often as I can, straddling what it means to be a multi instrumentalist or one man band, and a manufacturer of musical instruments that I can't help but want to play.  At least the quality control part of my duties means I am not slacking off too much!

So please know that if and when you decide to buy a Farmer Musical Instrument, I will be on the other end of the line ready to answer your comments, concerns, and questions in person!  I take pride in the products I put out, and I wholeheartedly care for the customers that play them. Until I hear from you in the near future, Keep Up the Beat!

Sincerely,

Pete Farmer