Well, I'm really intrigued about Viola Smith. I did some more internet searching and I've discovered she was part of an all-girl swing band, Frances Carroll and the Coquettes, from 1939 through the early 1940s. There is a short (10-minute) film of them performing made in Feb. 1940 that has been played on the Turner Classic Movie Channel. Information I found said it was directed by Ray Mack. It's available to purchase and view on some web sites, so I will be buying it in the next day or so. But I haven't found anything else out about her or the band.  Carroll was the singer and dancer and there was one other girl in the band, but I don't know what she played or did or even her name. I'm interested in watching their performance since Smith was compared to Gene Krupa, which is the most impressive comparison I have found online about a female drummer. I posted a message on the TCM short film message board, asking members if they know anything about Smith or the band. Hopefully I get some information about them.

My own practicing is going. I'm getting a little bored without a mentor right now. I'm able to play my last lesson, the nine-stroke roll, pretty good on the snare and all 3 tom toms. My left hand and lower arm aches a little after I practice, so I've got to make sure my form is right because I don't want an injury! I gotta work. I'm the sole supporter of 2 college girls. Once they are 18 and graduated there is no obligation of the father to continue child support and I haven't gotten any anyways in many many months so I say you gotta do what you gotta do because dropping the ball at this point is not an option for me Hopefully the house sells soon and I can rent something less than my mortgage payment until I decide what I want to do. Where I want to live. All I know right now is I don't want to live with a man ever again. I want my freedom to do what I want and come and go as I please. I have a dream for my life, it goes like this...
          I am a working performing percussionist in a band and in the studio. I travel the world playing, writing, photographing and exploring. Somewhere in the low country of South Carolina or in the French countryside I have a 1,000 acre ranch with a historic farmhouse on it in which I spend time with my family and friends. I have a care-taker to maintain the ranch while I'm on my travels....

I will add to this dream as it evolves in my head. For now my focus is becoming disciplined so I can learn  percussion and become the person I want to be.