jon56712

SEEKING

Band to Join, Vocalist, Vocalist - Bass, Vocalist - Baritone, Vocalist - Tenor, Vocalist - Soprano, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Other Percussion, Violin, Trumpet, Saxophone, Keyboard, Piano, Background Singer, Harmonica, Flute, Other, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Dobro, Vocalist - Alto, Trombone, Bagpipes, Steel guitar, Upright bass, Cello, Accordion, Ukulele, DJ, Electronic Music.

ABOUT

The first instrument I ever played was the piano. My mother used to drive me and my
brothers to lessons every week. Being a kid I did not take it seriously, although I thought music
was cool. The first time I saw a drum set was in grade six. The high school was putting on a
show for the elementary students and, although the drummer was still learning, I couldn’t take
my eyes off of the kit. I remember thinking how awesome it looked and sounded. After that I
was hooked. I begged my parents to let me play drums and in lieu of a drum set they bought me
a guitar. At the time I was not too happy with their decision, however looking back it taught me
a lot. Both of my brothers played the harmonica and the guitar so, being the little brother, I
picked those instruments up. Finally in grade eight, after selling Jolly Ranchers to my classmates
in elementary school, I had saved up enough money to buy my first kit! The whole way to the
music store I was beside myself. The first kit I ever owned was a used CB Percussion fixer
upper. However it did not matter, I set the kit up and I played it every day. Luckily, while I was
living in Maine, I had a drummer for a neighbor. I would mow his lawn in exchange for his
professional lessons. He taught me everything a beginning drummer should ever need, rolls,
stroke rolls, fills, beats, rudiments and more. Since then I moved so often whenever I would
enroll into a new school I would have to prove myself to the other musicians, so that I could earn
my spot. In high school I was a band geek. I played for jazz band, concert band, bands in my
school and musicals that the school was performing. If anyone was looking for me I was always
easy to find sitting behind the school drum kit. The first musical I ever played for was Charlie
Brown; I was so nervous that at times I could not play. I had terrible stage fright back then, and I
dealt with it by showing others that I did not care that I was on stage and it did not make me look
professional. After high school I played drums in my parent’s basement and began teaching. I
taught privately and for a local studio in Fredericton, NB. I had a lot of fun back then, I was all
about metal, so I bought myself a nice pair of double chained Iron Cobra double bass pedals; I
still own them. I was in a couple of different bands and I would go to jams and play around
town. Later, I followed my dream of playing drums and went to a drumming school. I learned a
lot over the next few years and after floundering around with drum sticks and sometimes a
practice pad in my hands I was able to land on my feet. I look back at all the jobs I have had and
I realize each job taught me a valuable lesson that I can apply to being a professional musician. I
dreamed of being a drummer as a kid and I will follow that dream wherever it may lead.