When I was a young lad, many years ago, a lot of films and adventure programmes on the telly were about the great white hunters and Tarzan in Africa or westerns. You know, cowboys and Indians. Whenever the drums started in these stories it often meant trouble as the natives were starting to communicate with each other. The drum being the main form of communication and the favourite drum of choice being the Tom-Tom. The title of this article is taken from those early films.

The story usually had some dramatic unrest among the natives. When the great white hunter, who always knew everything about the locals, first heard the sound of the telegraph system of the time, the same phrase was always said “Listen. The drums have started”. Meaning the natives were talking and would soon be taking action. Drums have featured a lot throughout history. Right through to today in fact.

The big base drum is what a lot of people remember about the Salvation Army bands. Politicians and others wanting support for various projects often say that they are going to “Drum up support”. Shops and other retailers are always wanting to “Drum up custom”. Pop groups often have their names emblazoned on their highly decorated base drums to announce who they are.

So when I had to think of a title for my new blog I thought of the idea of using a virtual drum, a Tom-Tom drum, as being the ideal instrument to get my blog messages across.

Feeling very pleased with myself having got what I thought a very suitable title, being a mix of my name and an instrument that is used for sending messages, I announced my great inspiration to my ever loving partner. “That’s very suitable for you” she said. “You are always banging on about something”. …….Thank you dear!