Here is how I got started and a bit about myself . . .             

Led Zeppelin is what got me interested in playing.  Bonham’s big drum sound & great parts that fit every song, along with John Paul Jones laying down awesome bass lines is what it’s all about.

I took piano lessons in grade school. My father decided to get me a piano. One day he came home and saw me beating the shit out of the keys. He ran and told my mom: This son of a bitch don’t want to play the piano, he wants to play the drums. So out went the piano and in came the drum kit.  

I basically taught myself how to play with allot of inspiration coming from my cousin Tom who had been playing for a while before I got started. We would live in his basement and I would watch while he banged out Who and Zeppelin tunes. After seeing how much fun he was having I had decided to try my hand at the kit and that was it. I never looked back. I eventually found my way into various R&B top 40 dance bands. A few years went by and a friend told me about a great drum teacher that I should consider studying with.

This person is Carl Mottola. Carl became a really close friend of mine and did take my playing to the next level and then some. He opened doors for me that I didn't know existed. For the next 8 plus years Carl taught me allot about playing drums, the music business and life. If your lucky enough you only meet someone like Carl a few times in your life. He is responsible for me being a full time musician today.
 

I listen to the classic bands like Yes, Aerosmith, Jethro Tull, Rush, Bad Company, the Ramones, and the Sex Pistols, 80’s hair bands, 60’s garage stuff and fusion music.  

Some of the newer bands I listen to are Puddle of Mudd, Hoobastank, Fuel, Disturbed, No Doubt, Incubus, Velvet Revolver etc. 

I listen to Howard Stern in the morning. He is just out of his mind.  If you listen to him and don’t laugh, you have no sense of humor and take yourself too serious. I do watch some TV shows, but not many. The shows I do watch are: Columbo, Seinfeld, The 3 Stooges, and The Munsters.   I also like to watch the Spanish stations which are Telemundo & Univision. I don’t understand a word of what they are saying, but they have the hottest looking babes on their TV shows. You can also see good fist fights on their version of the Jerry Springer & Judge Judy type shows.    

I love getting on stage & playing with a tight band and watch how people react. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, and sometimes there is none. But it’s all good and that’s what playing music is all about.  I have met so many crazy and wacky musicians over the years and never laughed my ass off so much. Being in a band is always unpredictable.  

When you play in a band you develop chemistry, and the band becomes part of your family.  I believe if you can’t get along and become friends, you won’t be successful. It’s very important to respect each other in all situations. Big egos & attitudes will destroy any band.