I remember the very first time I was interested in drums – and you’re probably going to laugh at me. I was absolutely obsessed with watching the Weather Channel, and what young child wasn’t? They have that smooth jazz and R&B music playing on the “Local on the 8′s” segments, and I loved how the drums sounded in that music. I signed up for the school band shortly thereafter.
I always seemed to hit road blocks with my music. I started drumming in the seventh grade percussion section, and the band director insisted that I use a rubber, practice pad, even though none of the other drummers in our group started out that way. I was told many times that music was going to always be an uphill struggle for me – given my disability. I stuck with the school band for about four years, and after receiving minimal one-on-one help and modifications, constantly segregated from the rest of the band, and shown very little support from educators, I quit and pursued other academic endeavors.
In 2002, I met Todd Wright, who was the new worship leader for our youth group. I had been playing drums off-and-on for the youth group prior to that, but nothing consistent, until Todd started leading. He shaped me greatly as a musician and worship leader, and that I could easily get by with only two or three toms…. Still to this day, Todd says, and quite seriously, that I was the worst drummer he’s ever heard – but, now I’m at the top of his list to call, and I’m very honored to get those calls.
I’ve always found the greatest moments of musical growth for me have come while serving in the Church. I took a position as a music director for the United Methodist Wesley Foundation at Stephen F. Austin, in 2004. I was blessed with the opportunity to lead with some incredibly talented musicians during my time there, and the opportunity grew me immensely. During this same time period, Todd began leading the adult services at our church, and he asked me to start playing percussion, rather than drums. I, very grumpily I might add, accepted the offer – and the journey of humility began for me as a musician. I can’t tell you how invaluable that decision became for me. Percussion is an absolute joy for me now, and I often get more excited about those gigs than something on a full kit…
I left the Wesley in 2006, and began working with Grace Bible Church in Nacogdoches. In the five years we were there, I’ve had some of the most enjoyable musical experiences I can recall. I learned groove, arranging, dynamics, and even more on sacrificing myself for God’s glory.
I started playing, professionally, in 2008, when I started taking consistent gigs with artists and churches across the area. In September 2009, I played at a church with Clairmont, who I had done some public relations work for in the past. I quickly found the longevity in this opportunity, and believed very strongly in the music these guys were making, and we made a full-time commitment with Clairmont in January 2010. My time with the band was short lived, and I ended up making a split in September. I, ultimately, wasn’t what they need, and they really weren’t what I was looking for in a full-time gig.
I recently played drums and percussion for Shana Strange, a Christian artist from the East Texas area. Shana is on Lifestage Records, and has been gaining steady momentum over the past few months, including radioplay on many markets across the country.I still book with friends, like Todd Wright, Christie Cook, and several churches across East Texas and the Houston area. We’ve been praying relentlessly that the Lord continues to show us the direction to pursue with my music ministry, and I’m excited to start working with churches, artists, and teams across the central Texas area now.
I am heavily influenced by R&B and pop drummers, and really look up to studio drummers like Abe Laboriel Jr., Teddy Campbell, Paul John, and Carl Albrecht. Establishing groove in a live setting is not near as challenging as doing so in a “virtual” environment, such as a studio. I have the utmost respect for guys who can sound so tight in a recording, and aspire to be that “when I grow up”. I listen to anything and everything under the sun. I still remember a conversation with a friend, Forrest Layton, when he told me I need to be listening, and studying, anything I could. If I had to nail down a few of my favorite bands, which change almost daily, I’d say U2, Genesis, and Peter Gabriel stay on the list most consistently. As of late, I’ve been listening to Adelle, Mumford and Sons, Kent, the Wallflowers, Maxwell, Eisley, Switchfoot, and the Foo Fighters.
