1969-1972, grades 6-Mid 9^th :

I began drumming in school band on snare drum at Roosevelt Jr. H.S., Panama City, FL.

1972-73, grades Mid 9^th :

I relocated to New Orleans, was in music class in Alfred T. Bonnabel H.S. I could read battery parts well, but could not play rudimentally, and so did not make the band.  However, a good snare drummer who was in the band, Lenny Hurley, taught me a few rudimental things.

1973-74, grade 10th :

I performed on snare drum in the Bonnabel H.S. Band.

November 1973, I joined the Southern Rebels Drum & Bugle Corps, and received rudimental instruction from Marty Hurley.  I began practicing rudimental snare drumming on a practice pad four hours every evening at home, and longer on the weekends. At the end of the 1974 Drum Corps season in the summer of ’75, I was awarded the “Most Improved” drummer award.

1974-75, grade 11^th :

I performed on snare at Bonnabel H.S. and in the Southern Rebels Drum & Bugle Corps.  I co-wrote the still performed, but slightly modified cadence at Bonnabel H.S.. 

1975-76, grade 12^th :

I became the section leader for the drum line at Bonnabel H.S.  I transcribed a number of other drum corps solos & cadences I learned, including Dueling Banjos as played by the Madison Scout’s Drum & Bugle Corps for the band to play. From that experience, I learned xylophone, and also took music theory class from my band director, Jim Houssand.   I tried out and made Louisiana All-State concert band, as well as making superior ratings on solo & ensemble.  After the end of the ’75 season, Marty Hurley left the Southern Rebels, and I left the drum corps activity, though I was asked to join his line in The Phantom Regiment, in Rockford , Illinois, and regretfully declined as I was ready to enter college, and any funds I could gather needed to be dedicated to my education.

1976-1981, College Years

Loyola University School of Music, Bachelor of Music Education

I gained valuable instruction on marimba, timpani, and all other orchestral percussion instruments from Leland Beach, who was the Principal Percussionist for the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as instruction on piano, and every brass, woodwind, and string instrument, as well as music theory, music composition, and music history.   I performed in the choir, orchestra, and the concert band, but did not gain instruction on the drum set during college, which prevented me from participating in the jazz band.

1976-77

My first year of college, I began teaching private drum lessons.  I provided limited summer or school year drum instruction for John Erhet H.S., & Bonnabel H.S.

I worked at a regional distribution warehouse for Sears & Roebuck to support college expenses.

1977-78

While attending college, I began teaching and writing for John Curtis H.S. Band’s drum line from 1977 through 1982.

1978-79

I began instructing the Bleu Raeders Drum & Bugle Corps for the 1979 season during the Fall of 1978, my third year in college.

1979-80

I continued instructing the Bleu Raeders for one more year until the end of the 1980 season.

1981

I graduated from Loyola University with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education.

1981-82

I taught music class in Catholic elementary schools as an itinerary teacher at seven schools in the New Orleans metropolitan area.

1982-83

I taught music to grades 4-12 at River Oaks private school in Plaquemines Parish.  This included high school concert & marching parade, with field and parade performances, as well as fund raising and working with the Band Boosters Club.  I purchased my first drum set.

1983-now

I changed careers and became a computer programmer/analyst as a daytime job.  

During nights and weekends, I perform local gigs on the set with various jazz/pop-rock groups around the Louisiana/Mississippi coast, at hotels, restaurants and bars, parties, dinner/musical theatres, parades, and festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. 

1988-spring 89

I wrote & provided drum instruction for the Expressions Drum & Bugle Corps.

1991-1992

I wrote and instructed for the Rummel H.S. drum line.  I retired from instructing drum lines.

1994

I semi-retired from performing all together, and almost exclusively perform for several parades during Mardi Gras.

2004-now

I was re-introduced to performing rudimental drumming, and perform in parades with the all-age Drum & Bugle Corps organized by the Greater New Orleans Drum & Bugle Corps Association.