I am a full time drummer committed to spreading the gift of music through lessons, live performances, recordings, and instructional books. I have been playing drums since 1980, and enjoy it as much today as I did when I started.
I began playing drums when I signed up for school band in the fifth grade. I had an excellent instructor named Evan Fisher who forged my talent into the drummer that I am today. Back then, Peter Criss from the band KISS made me realize my desire to play drums and perform. I grew up listening and jamming to KISS, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Styx, Police, Queen, Rush, Aerosmith, Deep Purple, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, and tons of other bands.
I was invited to join my first band at age twelve. I had been playing snare drum for about a year when I got "the call" from some older guys (they were fourteen). We had our first gig booked at the middle school they attended in two months, and asked me to join their band to play the gig. I begged my parents for a drumset so I could start practicing with them. About a week later, due to my persistence, they bought me a used off-brand five-piece kit and immediately we were jamming. I was let out of elementary school for an afternoon for the big gig at their school. We performed in front of the student body playing some KISS tunes as well as an original. I was having a blast! I've always loved performing for people.
I earned fifty metals (thirty seven firsts and thirteen seconds!) at district and state solo & ensemble competitions from seventh through twelfth grade. As a senior, I was awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa band award. After high school I studied as a percussion performance major and played in the marching band at the University of Wisconsin Madison.
I have been influenced by many different drummers, but some favorites I've looked to over the years for inspiration have included: Kenny Aronoff, Stewart Copeland, Ringo Starr, Alex Van Halen, Ian Paice, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Danny Seraphine, Simon Phillips, Terry Bozzio, Paul Leim, Will Calhoun, Phil Rudd, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa and the list goes on!
I have played with tons of different bands over the years doing all sorts of gigs at schools, parties, weddings, bars, and festivals. I was a founding member (with my brother Jeff) of the original band Tambora from 1989-1993. During that time we recorded several demo cassettes, as well as a full length CD entitled "Vale of Tears" released in 1992 on Opus Records. We were the support act for Nelson, Vixen, Hurricane Alice, Blue Oyster Cult, Black Foot, Cheap Trick, Quiet Riot, Night Ranger, Jackyl, The Kinks, Slave Raider, and others. I currently play with a popular cover band from Madison, WI called Heartbreaker (a position I've held since 1994). We cover fun, high-energy rock songs from the '70's through today. We play many southern Wisconsin clubs throughout the fall, winter, and spring and outdoor festivals during the summer. Check out our website. , I have also been playing with Altered Five. Founded in 2002 by five Southern Wisconsin music veterans, Altered Five has built a solid reputation as an innovative blues-rock ensemble. The group performs custom-made arrangements of popular rock songs from the 1970s to today. We plan to release our first full length CD in early 2007. Check out our website.
I have been teaching drums privately since 1987, and have enjoyed helping hundreds people of all ages to enjoy music through playing the drums. For more information on my private lessons, please go to the lessons section of my web page.
I am a published author of eight drum instructional books and one DVD distributed world-wide by Hal Leonard Corporation. Two of these books have been translated into Japanese and German. I am also a professional drum transcriber and studio drummer for Hal Leonard Corporation and Cherry Lane Music. I have recorded well over thirty-five hundred songs for instructional books in all styles including: rock, metal, jazz, funk, R&B, country, disco, swing, blues, hip-hop, Latin, and fusion. I enjoy the challenge of recreating the sounds and styles of so many great drummers. I feel lucky to use this “job” to force myself to learn so much about drumming, percussion and music.
In January 2003 I opened my dream-come-true recording studio called The Dream Factory built onto our home. This facility allows me to practice, teach lessons, and record without leaving home. This is a state-of-the-art recording studio where I record the audio for my bands, freelance recording for local bands, and for the CDs included in the instructional books for Hal Leonard Corp. and Cherry Lane Music. This is also where I record my Pro Drum Tracks. This service has allowed me to record custom drum tracks for musicians and songwriters anywhere in the world via the internet.
I have earned major gear endorsements with: Aquarian Drumheads, Axis Bass Drum Pedals, Noble & Cooley Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, RoboKey drum keys, and DTS Drum Tuning System.
Thanks for visiting, and I hope you enjoy my site.
