I began playing drums at age 11, and playing percussion in the 5th grade. I
knew how to play a drumset before getting one because of MTV. Finding anything
to make a drumkit, pillows, pots and pans, boxes, whatever. Played in jazz
ensembles throughout school, along with private lessons. Started jamming with
other musicians and put together first real band in about 10th grade. Started
gigging alot in clubs in Columbus while still in high school and played my own
senior prom.
Went to Ohio State and studied Music, Jazz Percussion. Hated it, took all
the fun out of playing. Changed majors and transferred to Ohio University in
Athens, OH. Met a couple guys who I really clicked with. We started the band
"Red Wanting Blue." Spent 3 1/2 recording and touring with RWB all over the
midwest, including opening for many national acts. Left the band in 1999.
Played with several other bands, but needed a change.
Moved to San Francisco in the summer of 99. Immediately started playing with
bands. At one point, three at one time. Recorded cds with groups such as West
by God, Visitor Jim, Liz Pisco, Seven, Magnetism, and Send For Help. Toured up
and down the west coast for six years. Also, flew back to Ohio to play shows
with friends Tummyfloor 24, who would fly me back just for shows. Toured with
legendary funk/blues piano player Merl Saunders. Did shows with B.B. King, Los
Lobos, Widespread Panic, Little Feat, and more. This led to me being asked to
sit in with Los Lobos at their sold out show in San Francisco, which I did of
course. After six successful years of playing, touring, recording, and making
many lifelong friends, I moved to Atlanta, GA in the summer of 2005.
Before I even started looking for a band in Atlanta, I was reading the
Creative Loafing(atlanta's entertainment newspaper). There was a feature about
this band called "The Lovedrunks." The band sounded very cool, and I put the
paper down. Sometime later I was on the internet looking for bands when I
discovered an ad from "The Lovedrunks" saying they needed a drummer. I
auditioned a few days later, and played a show with them a week later. In the 9
months I played with them, I recorded an album, did 2 seven week national tours,
a two week midwest tour, and many weekend trips along with countless local
shows. After our last show on our last tour, I decided to leave the band,
prompting my move back to my home of Columbus, Ohio.
I have been back i Ohio about five weeks and have been extremely lucky. A
friend of mine told me about "Fatkid Dodgeball" and that he worked with the
guitar player and they were looking for a drummer. After seconds of listening
to their music, I wrote to them and said I thought i'd fit right in musically.
I've always loved that heavy, but very catchy style of music, with lots of
dynamics. I've always played in bands I liked, but I don't remember the last
time I not only loved playing it, but also listening to it. I feel like this
meant to be, me moving back and finding this band so quick.
