STANDISH — Lauren Ramsay already knew she loved Joey Kramer’s music.

After meeting the Aerosmith drummer on Thursday, the 20-year-old nursing student is sure she’ll love his coffee too.

“I look forward to trying it. It was so great him to come here like this,” said Ramsay, holding a sheet of paper that Kramer had written “Happy Birthday Dad” on. “I grew up on Aerosmith’s music, with my dad, and I’m going to share it with my children some day.”

Kramer used the power of rock on Thursday to get the word out about his “Rockin’ & Roastin’ ” organic coffee brand. The 64-year-old drummer held a “meet and greet” at the Mercy Hall cafeteria at Saint Joseph’s College, where his brand is served.

Students were thrilled he was there, and a little surprised he would come to a small college in rural Maine just to sell coffee.

“This is the only way I know how to do things. I couldn’t just put my name on the coffee and sit back and collect checks,” said Kramer. “It’s just like with music, it’s about quality and about going where the people love you.”

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With his spiky blond hair, leather vest, and snakeskin pattern shoes, Kramer looked more like he was getting ready for a gig than getting ready to talk about organic coffee beans.

He patiently signed books, albums, pictures, and arms. He also posed for pictures with about 100 students during his one-hour, lunchtime visit.

Many of the students who lined up to meet Kramer talked about first hearing the band because of their parents. Some non-students came as well, eager to meet “Kramedog.”

Autumn Johnson, a 21-year-old artist from Sweden, said she’s been listening to Aerosmith since “the day I was born.” She’s also a big fan of Kramer’s coffee too, all three varieties.

“I like the Ethiopian a lot, nice flavor, but the Sumatran is nice and strong and really gets me moving in the morning,” Johnson said.

The coffee brand, based in Massachusetts, got started in 2012 and is now sold in stores and cafes up and down the East Coast. Kramer said Saint Joseph’s was the first college to sell his coffee. He’s planning to open a “Rockin’ & Roastin’ ” coffee house in North Attleborough, Mass., this year.

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Kramer was scheduled to make several other Maine stops Thursday on behalf of his coffee, including the Bethel area. Though Aerosmith got its start in Boston, Kramer these days lives in Austin, Texas.

During his 45 years with Aerosmith, pounding the beat for hits from “Dream On” to “Crazy” and more, Kramer says he’s been fueled by a passion for music.

And lots of coffee.

“For years, on the road, I just couldn’t get a decent cup of coffee,” Kramer told the students crowded around him in the cafeteria. “So I decided to do something about it.”

It’s one thing to want a good cup of coffee for yourself. But Kramer is on a mission to bring his idea of good coffee to the masses.

A common question from students Thursday was “why?”

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“Because I love making people happy, and coffee makes people happy,” Kramer said.

Ray Routhier can be contacted at 791-6454 or at:

rrouthier@pressherald.com

Twitter: RayRouthier


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