Sorry to resurrect another older thread, but I thought the kid was as good as most of what is out there, and perhaps that is the sad thing. Us older guys had musical innovators who drew our attention and desires to grow as drumming musicians. It's one of the reasons I really like Benny Greb. I've never been into the whole stick twirling thing. But you know, even the old masters had all that stuff going decades and decades ago. Palmer had it in his solos. Still does. Entertainment value. Now, it seems to be the thing younger drummers are into most. I suspect the influence of Donati, Blackwell, Minneman, Lang and others have contributed to that aspect of it.
So, basically, you are saying the GC Drum Off is now little more than a showcase for who can do stick tricks the best? Sad.
When I hear these things I tend to see a connection to the vocal stylists of today. Lots of shouting and yelling but not a whole lot of actual singing melodies. In todays drummers I constantly hear all these hand and foot trips and quads like something falling down a flight of stairs. Great for some impact in a solo, but it seems the lion's share of what all these players do now.
I'd almost rather hear Ron Bushy play Inagaddadavida than some of these Rugby matches on a drum set.