"I had sold my all my previous drums in my 40s so I had to buy gear when I got the gig in 2012. I tried out a used Mapex kit I found on Craigslist.com. I stood in front of the kick about 6 feet away as the seller hit the kick pedal a few times. The ambient sound hit me in the chest and I was hooked. I've played Mapex for the last 14 years with the band."
I picked up concert band percussion back in fifth grade, diving into the snare drum all the rudiments I was given. A few years later I jumped into drum set—mostly to keep up with my sister, who was getting way too good for my liking.
I went on to study at Belmont University in Nashville, and before long I found myself playing with Lacy J. Dalton for a few years. My singing chops came along a little later, thanks to club gigs around town where some gigs I was playing needed someone to cover some vocals. Eventually that led to singing BGVs with Loretta Lynn, and I spent a few years on the road with her—singing only.
After that run, I stepped away from music for a bit and moved into the 9‑to‑5 world of computer systems and IT. Then one day, out of the blue, a friend and LRB guitarist at that time—asked if I had any gas left in the tank for a road gig with a band looking for a singing drummer. Turned out that band was Little River Band.
I told them, “If this works out, I’ll need a week to go buy some drums,” because I had sold almost all my gear over the years. Fourteen years later, I’m still with them. I’ve grown as a singer and drummer, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
