My musical background

I have a musical background.
I was a drummer from the word go.
I started playing when I was five.

My brother Mark played drums in the high school band. One day, I believe for his birthday, my parents brought him home a spectacular brown Ludwig drumset. I remember how cool they were up close. I was enamoured at a very early age by live music.

After kindergarten, when I was five, I would go to my Grandparents home (Granny and Fred Blumer.) Granny was, by far, the best grandmother in world history. I digress. On spring and fall afternoons, at 3:30 pm, I waited patiently for the high school marching band to start playing. Then, I would march behind them, just as they marched. The drums were nearby. They played a cadence to march in step to. I listened, and I learned it. Then, I would play on my brother's drums every day, that cadence. Until, (I think) I was just as good. I listened to the drummers play whenever and wherever they played, indoors at basketball games, or outdoors at football games. Then I would play and play and play every chance I got. It didn't hurt that my three older siblings and parents were into music. They had every single Beatle record, plus a great variety of classics. Mark soon got an 8-track player. The first three tapes he got were Chicago, Doobie Brothers (Toulouse Street), and Santana. I learned how to play, to that music.

By the time I was nine years old, I was known as a drummer in my home town. In fact, my best friend, Dale and I lived across the street from the local college. The musicians there also knew I played drums. On the night of the college "Variety Show" myself and Dale wondered into the Armory (Auditorium.) The college "rock" band was getting their gear tuned, levels checked, and practicing. They saw me, and asked me to come and sit in on drums! They taught me "Wipe Out" on the spot. It took 10 minutes to teach me. They asked, "Can you be back in one hour to play it LIVE?" I freaked out (as much as a 9 year old could). Then Dale and I went to my house and asked my mom if I could play. I could, and I did.

I played "Wipe Out" (a drum solo song) live with a college band, at age nine.


After we moved to Gwinner, ND in 1971, I went on to play with our high school band (while I was in 5th grade) and in informal rock bands. I got star ratings at state contests and was invited to be an All State musician. I attended the International Music Camp for two summers, then worked there over the next two summers. From 1976 through 1980 I played in two bands,"Flight" with Mark Arneson and then "Creed" with Brian Cross. Combined, we played perhaps 25 gigs; from Lisbon, Forman, Lidgerwood, Frederick, SD, Fort Ransom, Milnor, Rutland, and a few rural parties in between.

It was on to Moorhead State University, (Minnesota State University Moorhead.) There I played four years as the drummer in the outstanding, MSU Stage Band (under the direction of Al Noice.) Jazz, big band, Charlie Parker, Stan Kenton, Ellington, Count Basie, Rob McConnell...this was my music now. I will write more about jazz at a later time, when I can share my autographs and stories.

At the same time as I played big band and jazz, I was playing polkas, waltzes, country, 50's, and that type of music with the local legend, "Albert Mikesh." I will also write more about that later. There is a lot to write about. We played every single weekend, plus most Wednesday nights, for 4-5 years. That works out to about 500 gigs.

Of course, I played many other places too. But for now, I will stop reliving my past, as a drummer. I have not played professionally for decades. Although it is absolutely my first interest. I wanted to be professional drummer. But I knew better. I will try to play more in the future. If anyone needs a drummer - for a recording session - let me know. I can't play regular gigs (I actually am a professional now, with a mortgage etc...) Any style....from marching band...to rock, jazz, country, funk!