Greetings grillers from just south of Frederick, MD.
My dad taught me to grill on a kettle when I was a kid. I got serious about grilling in 2004 when I purchased my first Weber; a Summit Silver B. Still have it, and it'll probably outlast me. Bought a Broil King Keg about 10 years ago, and stepped my game way up. Cooking on that made me want a traditional charcoal kettle, so I picked up a Performer Deluxe a couple years back.
The kettle has become my go-to cooking rig. I've got a SnS, TTT, BBQ Dragon, and more tools than I can carry. I've done everything from flash-searing tuna steaks to 18-hour briskets with it. It's simply the finest outdoor cooking implement that mankind has created.
Cheers!