One of Hendrix’s latest drum deliveries from Dothan was to Prince’s former drummer, John Blackwell, with whom Hendrix recently collaborated to develop a Limited Signature Series of 30 snare drums.

Hendrix said he watched Blackwell’s instruction videos when he was younger. Hendrix met Blackwell in January at the National Association of Music Merchants’ trade show in California.

“He’s become a friend of mine,” Hendrix said of Blackwell, who played with Prince’s New Power Generation for more than 10 years.

“I don’t get affected when it comes to meeting different artists, but having the best of the best – someone like Prince's drummer, or Kelly Clarkson's drummer, or Mariah Carey's drummer – validating my work by choosing to use my product does affect me.”...

Perhaps one of the most meaningful experiences Hendrix has had since building drums is the 30-drum series he is constructing in partnership with John Blackwell. Hendrix said Blackwell, who had just recently began touring again, suffered two brain tumors and paralysis of his left arm and leg while on tour in Japan. A GoFundMe page, www.gofundme.com/johnblackwelljr, is set up to support some of Blackwell’s expenses as he recovers.

“As a drummer, many times you are simply a hired musician, so once you perform a gig or do a recording with an artist, that’s all you’re paid for. So if John isn't playing he isn't making money” Hendrix said.