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2. DO hydrate yourself while playing

"The last thing you want to do is play a long gig on a hot night, pass out and wind up in a hospital emergency room," says Carlos. "When I say 'hydrate,' I really mean 'electrolytes' - you have to keep replenishing them as you play. Think about it: If you were working out on a hot summer day, sweating like crazy, you'd be drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated. Drumming under hot lights for two hours - same thing.

"A couple of years ago, I found out the hard way. I played a long gig and we were on a bus, my heart started beating out of control, my eyes rolled back in my head and before you knew it, I was in the hospital.

"The doctors told me my potassium levels were way, way down, which happens when you're dehydrated. 'Eat a banana after a show,' they told me, 'or drink some Gatorade.' You gotta do it. This goes beyond your ability to keep time as a drummer; this goes to your health and well-being.

"Nowadays, I always have Gatorade with me during a show. I used to drink Mountain Dew, but that's just sugar; it doesn't replace the electrolytes your body needs."

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