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* I started playing drums back in 1980 when my father (a former
drummer himself) brought his late 50’s red sparkle Slingerland Sound Kings
down from our attic.
* I actually learned to play by watching MTV and seeing what and
how the drummers were playing. In addition, I used to simply put on a
pair of headphones and play to WAPP radio (commercial free summer) or my
old Asia and Rush records.
* After I had been playing for a few years I took some music
lessons from a local trumpet player to learn how to read music. Although he
couldn’t teach me drums, learning how to read became a very valuable
asset in years to come.
* My first paying gig was in my senior year of high school when I
was hired by a local professional theater company to play drums for a
production of “They’re Playing Our Song”.
* Towards the end of my senior year in high school I auditioned for
and received a full 4-year college music scholarship to Shepherd
College (now Shepherd University) in West Virginia.
* After college I formed a very successful classic rock/progressive
rock cover band named “Led Pekker” which became known for playing
note-for-note renditions of songs that other bands simply couldn’t dream
of, like La Villa Strangiato from Rush and Foreplay/Long Time from
Boston. We also had a comical side, playing songs like Funky Cold Medina
from Ton Loc and Do You Think I'm Sexy by Rod Stewart.
* I’ve taught marching band percussion on the high school level
from 1991-1993.
* I’m a sought-after session drummer who’s played on records by
recording artists Martin Neilan, Chaz DePaolo, and Joseph Coco.
* I performed at the 1998 Summer NAMM Convention in Nashville,
Tenn., as well as the world-famous Barbara’s in Nashville.
* I performed at the 1999 and 2000 Montreal Jazz Festivals in
Montreal, Canada.
* I did a 4 week tour of Ireland in the summer of 2000 where we
played gigs in Galway, Dublin and Belfast.
* In addition to being a drummer, I’m also a lead guitarist, bass
player, recording engineer, songwriter/arranger, drum instructor, and
professional painter.
* I play Yamaha Maple Custom Absolute Drums in vintage silver
sparkle finish, Paiste Cymbals, Drum Workshop Bass Pedals, Remo Drumheads,
and Cappella Drumsticks.
And now I’m excited to be involved with the Dennis Peters band.