07/11/07

Welcome to my Web site!

A little background...... “Born Aug. 24th in Oskaloosa, IA.  My musical training began when I was five by taking piano lessons, and continued for seven years, which during that time I sang in the church youth choirs. While watching the local high school marching band march past my house, in my 4th and 5th grade years, and playing along with the cadences, I felt the drums were my domain. In sixth grade, and refusing to play the trombone, I started drum lessons and I was on my way. My older brother Tim, also taking piano for those seven years, sought to stay on the keys, which then led to getting the rock band thing going. Our first gig was a church talent show, which the kit I improvised on consisted of a ride cymbal, a snare and my foot thumping on my snare case. Me, in eight grade, and Tim in ninth, we formed our first rock band, “Cloudburst” and within a year we were playing for Jr. and High school dances. From my first band up to the present, the dominant inspirations have been the classic rock band with the combinations of keyboards, guitars and multiple vocals... groups such as Styx, Kansas, Boston, Rush, Elton John, etc... My biggest influences and inspirations were, to name just a few....Neil Peart, Phil Erheart and Buddy Rich. After high school, I took a turn with a heavy interest in the marching field. While attending Northeast Missouri State Univ. for two years, I joined up with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. There I marched snare for three years,1980 - ‘82, building my chops, timing, and rudimental abilities. In 1983, I moved west and marched snare with the Santa Clara Vanguard for my final year of eligibility. That being the highlight of my Drum Corps career, I co-wrote and played steel drum in the percussion ensemble which took first at the solo/ensemble with a 99.55 at nationals. I also played a steel drum solo placing 13th in the mallet division. Not, bad for being a snare drummer. After my corps career ended, I moved back home, in Iowa, and my brother and I got another rock band going, “Alliance”. This was up and going strong until ‘86 when I decided to go back for a real education. From here playing and teaching seemed to become a full time gig. I received a BA in Music performance from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in ‘90, during which I arranged and instructed the Nebraska drumline for five years. Expanding within the classical field, and playing with the University Wind Ensemble for five years, I also performed in the percussion section with the Omaha Symphony a few times. While there, I also continued my set playing with a few local bands, playing from the classic rock to the alternative. The marching field kept me well occupied as well arranging and instructing as caption head for Oskaloosa, Ia High School - ‘84-’88, Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps - ‘87, Railmen Drum & Bugle Corps - ‘88, and the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps - ‘89. (I also got my younger brother, Tony who was lead trombone in the Oskaloosa High School bands, to play the quints in the Osky marching band ‘85-’88. By the way, Oskaloosa was Class A Summer National Champions 4 times between ‘84 - ‘88 in Whitewater, WI.) In 1992, I received and Computer Programming Diploma, and proceeded as an electronic tech student at Gateway Electronics Institute in Lincoln, NE, while also managing and cooking at the “World Famous P.O. Pears” - Lord I miss those burgers now!. About that time I finally got the opportunity to go on the road and play full time. For a year and a half I toured with the Kansas City based band “Atomic Angel” which toured the southeast part of the country playing 5 to 6 nights a week. Toward the end of that time, and being kind of obligated to move back home to Iowa and help with the family business, (Fred’s Muffler Shop) which has nothing to do with my field, though it’s Ok and secure....I’m still here. The percussion arranging is still going strong though, with clients in Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, and Iowa. This is where I’m at, after taking yet another turn into the new country music field with a rock edge. Getting the band “Ridin’ Fences” together with some of Iowa’s top musicians, was on the move and was very self rewarding by pushing our abilities to the limits. From 1996 - 1998, we have performed at the Iowa’s Cattle Congress, the Iowa State Fair, Freedom Rally in Humbolt, IA opening for Van Zant and Iron Butterfly, and in concert with Creedance Clearwater Revisited.  Coming up in August 2002, I will be performing with a reunion of "Alliance" with all of the original members on the open stage at the Iowa State Fair.  Keep posted for for specific dates.

In 1997, I finished working on a video presentation, utilizing rudimental percussion and fundamentals on drumset, along with incorporating midi, electronics and sequencing. My philosophy behind this, and geared towards jr. and sr. high percussion students is to encourage to have faith, confidence in yourself, and start by learning the basics. Education is a great thing, and is taken way too much for granted. Peace and happiness to all.

I have completed the first in a series of Snare Drum method books.  These lessons in this first book are geared to instruct a beginning snare player with the fundamentals of stick grips, stroke motions and learning to read rhythmic notation of all variations from quarter notes through sixteenth notes.

During the summer of 2002 I performed with the Santa Clara Vanguard Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps at the Drum Corps International World Championships in Madison, WI on August 10th.

My 80's rock group, Alliance had a reunion performance with all the original members at the Iowa State Fair, on the Miller Stage, August 12th, 2002.

Following in 2003, Alliance performed again with three of the original members, and with the addition of a new bass player Dr. John Hoekstra. 

I am currently a deacon at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa, also performing keyboard and contemporary music for the services on a regular basis.  I am also continuing to instruct and arranging percussion for the Oskaloosa High School Marching Band and , arrange for the University of Kansas, and Millard West High school in Omaha, NE.  I am also in the process of organizing an alumni marching band from prior Oskaloosa School High School Band members.