For the last five years, street performer Anthony Sheriff has been putting smiles on people’s faces with his energetic beats.
Better known to Los Angeles, California, locals as “Sheriff Drumman,” the traveling one-man band has turned the back of his cherry-red Ford F-350 truck into a mobile stage that holds his massive 13-piece drum kit, speakers, and a sign with his name.
Formerly an owner of an appliance store, the musician and skilled car builder spent nearly six decades designing the vehicle to allow him to perform his explosive shows. It was his absolute joy.
The drums were also Sheriff’s lifeline. After his 2016 second divorce, Sheriff was unable to sleep and conceived the idea for a mobile sound machine.
“It means the world to me,” he explained to Los Angeles Times. “Without drums, my life would have went a completely different way. There’s no other way to say it. It’s my therapy, it’s my fun, it’s my life.”
Playing music is Sheriff’s primary source of income. His income increased during the pandemic because he performs outdoors.
The 34-year old was booked for months. He would often have six to seven gigs consecutively on some days, earning as high as $300 an hour.
“A lot of gigs were piled right on top of each other,” he said. “When I was leaving one gig, I’m flying to the next customer, telling them, ‘I’m 10 minutes away, I’m running a little late.’”
With its booming speaker system, color-changing LED lights, and smoke machine, Sheriff’s truck is a crowd puller. He once caught Steve Harvey’s eye while drumming at an L.A. gas station.
The host was so impressed that he invited him to guest on “Steve TV Show” in 2018, launching the musician’s career even further.
Sheriff’s life was great up until December 3, 2021. He was surprised to discover that his truck had vanished as he left his home. Someone had stolen it during the wee hours of the morning—including his precious drum kit.
“When I got outside, I had a total panic attack,” he said. “I fainted in front of my neighbors. I began screaming, and I called for help like someone had just shot me. It felt like the devastating news of a loved one being murdered.”
Sheriff took to social media to plead for his followers to help him recover his truck.
“Can you guys please, please, please, please, please, put on your page any videos, any pictures that you guys may have of me and let them know that my truck has been stolen,” he said in an Instagram video.
The police found the truck, completely stripped, on the tracks a few days later. The battery was gone and the windshield had been broken. The hood was also damaged and the paint job was scratched.
Sheriff just put in a battery so he could drive it, but he knows it’s going to take a while to fully replace the stolen equipment.
Sheriff was forced to cancel several gigs, which caused severe financial problems.
“This is how I feed my kids,” he said. “This is how I feed my family. This is how I live. This is how I do me.”
His pleas for help were heard by the public. Donors helped him rebuild his drum kit and replace his truck’s custom features. Guitar Center and an anonymous donor helped cover the costs for the vehicle’s special gear.
But, it would be very expensive to replace the drums. Sheriff estimated that all his equipment and accessories would cost him upwards of $80,000.
Enter Metallica—one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time.
According to reports, the band learned about Sheriff’s fate and decided to contribute by donating a new drum set. The good news was revealed by a representative of the band who visited Sheriff in Hollywood.
“Man, thank you guys so much,” a stunned Sheriff said. “Thank you for taking the time and the resources to support and help what I do. I love you for that.”
The following day, Metallica replied to him in a tweet: “We’re honored to be able to help out a fellow artist. Keep the music going, Sheriff Drumman!”
Watch the video below to see the moment Sheriff was shocked by his new drum kit.
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