Background
Began drumming at age 9 while attending San Diego Military Academy. Marching and concert band. Section leader 1976-77. Graduated 1977. School and private lessons under Myron Collins.
Drummer/member w/ multiple So. Cal/regional acts 1978-93. Subbed, toured, recorded, performed 300+ shows, etc. w/ dozens of others as an independent in Los Angeles, San Diego, Mexico, San Francisco, Austin, San Antonio & Nashville. Several independent releases on vinyl and CD.
Graduated from Castle Park H.S. Chula Vista, CA 1980.
Worked for Texas Top Shows (82/83 MTV bands). Main venue was at the historic Bonham Exchange upstairs but included selected sites around hill country TX. Co managed venue production team as well as various positions in music retail/rental. Sound/lighting production, recording, concert promoter, security, merch vendor, driver, den mother, etc.
Attended Southwestern College Bonita, CA 1984.
Relocated to Nashville TN fall 1993. Worked locally/regionally for 2 years as a drummer and back line tech w/ various bands/drummers and 3 w/the original Jason & the Scorchers. '94-95 at Nashville Cartage & Sound.
From 1993 involved with multiple national/international tours, independent/major CD's & videos. Began working for southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1995 and completed 10 years with them and four different drummers. Including 6 CDs, videos/DVDs as well as over a dozen international radio and Television appearances.
Also during this time have worked countless one offs, tours & recordings w/ many local, regional, national and international artists.
Last years work consisted of major international tours w/ Peter Frampton, Velvet Revolver & Neil Young.
Experience
16 years as a progressive, professional drummer involving multiple levels of live performance, recording sessions, teaching and clinics.
3 years technician, engineer and equipment manager for sound/lighting and rental companies in San Antonio, Austin, San Diego and Los Angeles.
5 years owner/operator of Studios Black recording studios in Hollywood and San Diego CA. Producer, engineer, musician, etc. on numerous local/regional and international projects.
1 year managing percussion department at Nashville Cartage & Sound. Responsible for coordinating all rentals, maintenance, repairs, inventory/stock/order, delivery/pick up, teching, prepping as well as set up/strike for sessions and performances involving clients and their equipment. Cleaning, maintenance, painting, renovation, repairs, construction, etc. of cases, warehouse area, all equipment, etc. in percussion dept. as well as storage areas, shelving, offices, etc.
15 years back line tech involving a multitude of percussion instruments, guitars, keyboards, amplifiers, etc. Assistant w/ production/tour and stage management. Crew chief, driver, vendor, etc. for regional/national and international bands of all stature. Numerous national and world tours, support, tech and performance sessions with gold/platinum record/CD credits as well as video/DVD taping and television appearances. Secondary drummer, percussionist, keyboards, click tracks, computers, etc. Logistics, safety, planning and managing of rehearsals, performance, travel, etc. Personal assistant to entertainment professionals locally and internationally.
3 years owner/operator of JUST RIGHT TECH in Nashville TN. A drummer support service with select clientele. Offering specialized session, live and video services. Including rental equipment, instruments and cases. Rebuilds, modification, design and custom work, repairs, sounds, tuning, etc.
Skills
Self-motivated, able to prioritize, troubleshoot and resolve, improvise, initiate and implement decisions, able to work alone or with a team.
Understands basic as well as above and beyond the every day needs of an artist, session or tour to achieve immediate and long term goals.
Extensive experience w/drums, drumming, percussion, acoustic and electronic drums, modules, etc. as well as a variety of musical instruments and genres.
Strong working knowledge of modern and vintage equipment.
Am familiar with most PC and some Mac based programs i.e. Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Windows XP/VISTA, etc.
Responsible for the load-in/load out of back line equipment as well as risers, staging, props, etc. Pack design and in truck procedure, setup and operation of drums, percussion, microphones, monitors, video support, risers, staging, instruments, amps, etc. as required for the drummer and/or other musicians.
Able to plan, coordinate, manage needs and schedules for rehearsals, live/studio performance, television/video/radio, web broadcast, clinics, accommodations, carnet and manifests, guest lists, etc.
Able to determine the requirements, set up, test and operate equipment in accordance with the musicians/technicians wishes with consideration to the acoustics of the performance area and select, place and adjust microphones, monitors, instruments, baffles, etc.
Communicate with performer(s), sound and lighting tech’s to operate and maintain comfortable/correct sound/lighting levels. Instruct performers/crew on microphone use, placement, safety procedures, equipment and instrument expectations, limits and characteristics, etc.
Introduce pre-recorded tracks, samples or special effects required by scripts, play percussion parts, run clock/click, ipod, computers, etc. during rehearsals and performance.
Set up, coordinate and maintain quality of dressing room items, specialized pre, during and after show refreshments, packing, load out procedure and security.
Plan and consult on diet/fitness and practice warm up/down routines for home and road.
Proven endorsement liaison with negotiating/coordination and procurement skills local/regional and world wide.
Diverse knowledge of acoustics/principles, environments and materials. Cause and effect.
Mechanically inclined with advanced understanding and knowledge of principals,
practices and procedure as well as safety regarding handling, use and maintenance of tools and materials. Basic and advanced electronic, carpentry and paint knowledge with experience in wood, synthetic and metal fabrication/construction. Case design, building, repair and maintenance as well as props, risers, staging, instruments, various motors, etc.
Own Craftsman hand, electric and air tools with work boxes for club or arena tours as well as fly dates.
Not to mention I share my crayons and Batman coloring books.
Outside Interests
Cooking, writing, history, collecting media, mountain biking and wrestling with the dogs. Also the occasional low key gig with talented Nashville friends.
