Drums Not Guns founder and Dallas resident Happy Shel Weisman dies

by PegNews wire

<p>Happy (on right) was the primary organizer of the Psychedelic Drum Jam, the longest running drum circle in North Texas. He is joined here by Suzanna Brown, Drums Not Guns board member.</p>

Happy (on right) was the primary organizer of the Psychedelic Drum Jam, the longest running drum circle in North Texas. He is joined here by Suzanna Brown, Drums Not Guns board member.

DALLAS — Sheldon Weisman, widely known as Happy, was born on August 7, 1942 in St. Louis, and passed away in Dallas on Oct. 7, 2009 from metastatic lung cancer.

Happy was known internationally as an organizer of hand-drum circles and classes, and enjoyed the mentorship of famed African drummer Babatunde Olatunji. His drum outreach was prolific, organizing hundreds of drum circles and workshops, operating a state-wide listserve, and maintaining the networking website drums.org. He was the primary organizer of the Psychedelic Drum Jam, the longest running drum circle in North Texas, and founder of Jah Day, a monthly drum gathering at White Rock Lake.

Happy founded the non-profit group Drums Not Guns to bring hand-drumming to at-risk youth. He was instrumental in the 1995 and 1996 Summer SolstiCelebrations that attracted over 2000 people to White Rock Lake and featured nationally known hand drummers Arthur Hull, Paul Mattioli, and Kalani. Drums Not Guns ensemble has brought to a close every Winter SolstiCelebration for the past several years.

Happy was appreciated for his big heart, his many acts of kindness, and the many benefits he organized for individuals and causes. A true champion of the underdog, he was an avid campaigner for social justice and progressive causes. A bold, and at times abrasive, personality, he was recognized for his colorful hats, enthusiastic laugh, and jolly demeanor. He was known as a giver of great parties at his abode, dubbed Happy’s House of Drums.

After a stint in the Navy, during which he witnessed the testing of a hydrogen bomb, he married Elaine Soven and had two children, Jason Weisman and Amanda Gober. He was a charter member of Congregation Beth Torah and president of the Men’s Club for two years during which time he implemented the Christmas Mitzvah program in which Jewish members volunteered for the non-skilled shifts of Christians at hospitals on Christmas so they could be home with their families. After a short stint as a Jack in the Box franchise owner, during which time he faced down an armed robber, he went on to become an optician and innovator in faceted-edge lenses for rimless eyewear. Later, as a life and health insurance provider, he quickly achieved the highest annual sales out of a sales force of more than 2,000 agents and was invited to speak at a national conference in Hawaii.

Happy is survived by his children; his former wife; and hundreds of friends and admirers. Reminiscences of Happy and contributions to a fund in his memory may be made here.

Source: Drums Not Guns