About

Christmas 1972 - The first time I ever touched a drum set.

The first moment I touched a drum set was Christmas Day, 1972 in Muskegon, Michigan. This photo captures that moment.  Up until then I banged on pots and pans in the kitchen playing along with Ten Years After LPs. My parents finally gave in and bought this Mickey Mouse drum set. I had entered the world of drumming and percussion.

Through my school years I played in the school band, including marching band, and a great jazz band. I was accepted to Western Michigan University’s School of Music and there I performed with the symphonic band, percussion ensemble, jazz band, jazz combo, marching band, pep band, and as a percussion accompanist to the modern dance group.

While in college I performed with my first touring alternative/progressive rock band called Catharsis on Industry Records. We played around the country and played with such bands a Yo La Tengo, The Mommyheads, and L7.

Since then I’ve gone on to perform/tour with The Robert Bradley Band formerly known as Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise (RCA/Vanguard Records), The Mertons (Blackdog Records),  the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, various musical theater productions and with Southwest Michigan groups including Pillar to Post (Rock/Alt-Country), Willamena (Americana Rock), Calico (Alternative Rock), The Undercats (Rock Fusion), One Step Beyond (Jazz Fusion), Brent Chilton (Blues), Bob Ricci (Jazz).

I have over 20 years of experience teaching drum set, marching and concert percussion.

I have studied privately  with Paul Wertico (jazz drumming), Rupert Kettle (drum set and percussion), William Vitz (timpani), Tim Froncek (jazz/latin drumming), and Judy Moonert (keyboard/mallet percussion).