A KIDDERMINSTER drummer will be in exclusive company when he joins legendary players for a big bash in Birmingham.

Andy Edwards, of Chester Road, is the only drummer from the Wyre Forest area playing at the city's drum festival on Sunday.

Drum Fest will be held at the Birmingham Conservatoire and features some of the world's finest drummers, including Terry Bozzio, who has worked with Mick Jagger, and Thomas Lang, who has played alongside Robbie Williams and Ozzy Osbourne.

Kidderminster-born Andy, who runs a drum school in Cradley, said: "In the drum world, this is one of the country's biggest events. It is going to be the first time a lot of my students are going to be able to see me play because this is the first local one I've done in the last year or so."

He made his name with Robert Plant's Priory of Brion in 1999 and recently joined prog rockers, IQ, replacing their drummer of 23 years.

The 37-year-old has just returned from playing in America, Canada and Germany and this is the first time he has been chosen to perform at the annual festival.

He is also gearing up for a UK clinic tour with legendary session player, Kenny Aronoff, who has played with The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Jon Bon Jovi.

Performances will be held across the country, including Manchester, Bradford and Portsmouth, and the tour will be followed by a second Drum Fest in Brentwood, Essex.

They include the history of drumming and the drum kit told in an original and entertaining way and are said to be a must for all fans and players of the instrument.

The former college lecturer, who has been playing the drums since the age of 11, said he was looking forward to the tour, adding: "I've been preparing for it for a couple of months. I did a short tour in February that I think went well but it is going to be great to go out on tour with Kenny because he is a legendary player, so I'm looking forward to it."

For more information about the tour, visit www.andyedwardsmusic.com and for details of Drum Fest contact 0121 333 3220 or visit www.drumcompany.com/ latest.html