A lifetime of rhythm and fun with a smattering of wisdom spicing up the rock and roll

Press review

About me

Music as a calling

Music as a Calling

When I was in grade school in Elkhart, Indiana, my mother asked me what musical instrument did I want to play? I told her “Drums”. She was not too excited about that. But I had seen the most popular boy in my class playing the drums and the girls really liked him. So my choice was based wanting to be someone else. My life has been a journey to the realization that I am who I want to be. Teaching drums as a healing tool was a discovery that helped me come to that understanding.

In the press

New York Times

Meeting and working with world class artists was my goal.

World Class Artists

So, as I grew so did my circle of friends and collaborators. Jerry Wexler VP at Atlantic records took an interest in my band “The Bethlehem Asylum” in Coconut Grove, Florida. We met the Allman Brothers and recorded two albums on their label. I also toured and played with the immortal Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley while touring and producing. After moving to Ca lifornia I recorded with the original blues shouter, “Big Joe Turner”. Also a brief attempt at stardom with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention but instead I settled into a very comfortable gig with Tim Buckley and enjoyed his folk oriented jazz vocals.

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Wall Street Journal

Playing with style, funk and grace.

Funk and Grace

Lessons I learned about where the music really comes from have guided me through dangerous and frightening career choices. Southern black and also white Gospel music has had a great influence on my life and also my drumming and I will always be grateful for the genius teachers who took me aside and revealed the source of their inspiration.

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USA Today

Johnny and the Gentiles Live!

Starting in 1965, in Clearwater, Florida. Our first gig was in the Jewish temple on Saturday night. Our uniforms were Weejun loafers with white duck jeans, velour dickies. Beach wear with no socks. next stop the skim boards on the beach...

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