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I was born July 28, 1967 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Just days after my birth my family (Dad, Mom and sister Beckye) moved to League City, Texas, then a small town between Houston and Galveston, close to the Johnson Space Center. I've had the best of both worlds-a small town that's really a suburb. And in Texas, no less!
Childhood was pretty uneventful. I began playing drums in sixth grade, and was fortunate to have an excellent teacher by the name of Mike (Cheezy Rider) Davis. Throughout middle school Mr. Davis had his motley crew of drummers playing all sorts of wild percussion pieces. I owe him a lot, and blame him for everything.
At the beginning of high school, my parents divorced and my life changed a lot. I didn't really do a whole lot of studying the drums, but marching band did help me to grow immensely as a drummer. It wasn't until college that I took up lessons again. Mostly all I did in high school was play to records, work, and do things a young man shouldn't do.
The extent of my formal education is only Community College, but I was truly blessed to meet three men who would literally change my life. The first was Jerry Perkins, band director, who introduced me to jazz. In trying to teach me to play jazz authentically, he arranged for me to take lessons from Mr. Joel Fulgham, one of Houston's most accomplished jazz drummers. Mr. Perkins believed in me enough to pay for my first lessons with Joel out of his own pocket. Joel taught me things about drumming that I never knew existed.
After he left my school, he was replaced by the man I consider my drumming "father", Mr. Mike Lefebvre. Mike taught me so much during my time with him. I learned not only how to play, but how to show others how to do it, too. I can still remember the day Mike told me that he had shown me all he could, and then offered me a job teaching with him. Whatever meager accomplishments I've achieved in this business I lay squarely at his feet.
I left college to pursue my career (blame that on Mike!). I've played in many bands. I also freelance around town, and these days my gigging and recording career has taken on a new twist as I am mostly hired for worship music gigs. Besides working "for hire" in various Churches and with various worship leaders I am a member of the Smith Band, and with them play at many Bible studies, camps, and conferences in the region.
I have been a drum teacher for twenty-five years now. I truly love it, and hope to teach for the rest of my life.
When not playing, teaching, or practicing, I enjoy reading (mostly theology), weight training, listening to talk show and sermon podcasts (I'm a talk junkie who's moved on from AM radio!), serving at Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church, and most of all spending precious time with my beautiful wife, Jenni, and Harley and Milo the maniacal cats.
Of course, the biggest treasure in my life is not drumming, but rather it is the Lord Jesus Christ. Please visit my theology page to find out how the Christian Faith informs all that I do.
Below is my resume' for those who care:
Experience:
Band Member:
Atomic Opera (FeverDream Records)1997-present
Smith Band (Independent)2001-present
Mysterium (FeverDream Records) 1999-present
Toy Subs 1994-1997
MindBodySoul 1993-1994
From Now On (Warner/Chappell)1991-1993
Mr. Know It All 1988-1991
The Sloth Patrol 1988
No More Mr. Nice Guy 1987
Session Drummer:
Numerous sessions, see discography.
Worship Drummer/Percussionist:
Houston's First Baptist Church evening service 2005-present
St. John the Divine 2004-2006
Breakaway Bible Study 2002-2006
Campus Metro, Second Baptist Church 2002-2004
Metro Bible Study-Houston 2001-2002
Various camps and conferences
Various local Churches
See projects for some of the worship leaders with whom I have worked.
Drum Instructor:
Freelance private lessons 1986-present
The Joy School 2004-2007
MARS Music 1998-2001
Sound Check Rehearsal Studios 2000-2001
The Drum/Keyboard/Guitar shop 1987-1996
Education:
35 years of study and practice.
Private Lessons with Mike Lefebvre, Joel Fulgham, Jim Chapin, Terry Bozzio, numerous master classes, currently studying tabla with David Courtney
Ensembles, music and recording classes at Alvin Community College 1986-1988
Clear Creek High School, band and jazz band 1981-1985
Webster Intermediate School, band and percussion class, private lessons 1979-1980
Interests:
Theology, apologetics, evangelism
Weight training
Scotch whisky