I started playing the drums just before my 10th birthday. My dad was cleaning out the shed and there on the lawn was his old ( C.B.700s international....nothing but the finest... ) kit. Since they were already out of the shed I asked if they could go in my room "so I can bang around". And it was so.
The next four and a half years I played on my own, taking in what ever I could from the records I listened to, and from my dad (who had no formal training). During the next few years I was involved in the school band which includes: Marching band, Concert band, Jazz band, and Indoor Percussion drum line.
I was in my freshman year of high school when I decided to seek out private instruction. I started lessons with jazz drummer Gary Rissmiller. I studied with him for about a year and a half to two years. The techniques I learned from Gary were the first steps toward a life long journey of a deeper understanding of my Instrument. More recently I studied with Tommy Igoe, which proved to be a truly invaluable experience.
"There is no substitute for a good teacher" - Ted Reed
Since I was 13 I have been playing in bands weather it was my own rock band or a church worship band or just filling in for who ever needed a drummer. Some of the groups just played locally in the area, others traveled out of state and even around the country. Along with playing out live I have also done a good deal of recording.
Some of the artist I have preformed or recorded with include: John Powers, Joe Tkach, Blues Brotherhood, Todd Wolfe, Charles Fambrough, Honkytonk Buicks, Mike Dugan, Craig Thatcher, Paul Thiessen, John Kimock, Jim Kost, John Graboff, Kurios, Rooted, Ajar, Scott Marshall, Mad Dog + Blues Night Out, Kronicles.
Presently I am teaching at The Lehigh Valley charter high school for the Performing Arts, taking in new students for private lessons and playing with various bands and artists.
