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I started playing drums at the age of 13. My Father was a drummer and he had a set of 1967 Ludwigs in storage. For some reason I set them up and started to bang around on them, I really didn't have a clue what I was doing. That night I watched some drummers on music videos and it started to make sense how the drum kit worked. I listened to an album my brother had called 'Hemispheres' by Rush. It was intense! I heard music differently all of a sudden and I had to learn how to drum like that! I became obsessed with the drums, air drumming in my room all night and playing along to albums all day. I taught myself in the beginning, learning all the licks from John Bonham, Neil Peart, Tim "Herb" Alexander, Lars Ulrich, and many others.
Through my late teenage years I didn't play too much, and it always bothered me that I wasn't pursuing music. I ended up getting a job at a music store, I didn't realize at the time that it was the best networking move I ever made. I started to put my heart into it again with a renewed passion. My musical tastes started to change, I started listening to drummers like Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl and Virgil Donati. I also started playing a lot of bass guitar, which helped my musicality. I met many musicians and started to gig regularly. I took lessons with different teachers and focused on my technique, becoming very disciplined with my practice routine.
So I started playing with anybody, anytime, anywhere. I learned so much during those years. I performed with local cover bands in pubs, clubs, and festivals, in the nastiest bars in East Vancouver to 5 star hotels in Whistler. I cut my teeth in the recording studio also with late night sessions, getting little or no sleep just to get the exposure and experience. During this time I started singing lead and backup while playing, a valuable asset for a drummer to posses.
I met a guitarist named David Martone and auditioned for his band. David was and still is the greatest guitarist I've ever worked with. Since then we've created lots of exciting, challenging instrumental fusion music together. David's music helped me push the limit with my playing, and he's been a large influence and inspiration to me. My playing had matured, and I quickly jumped into some great gigs in town. I also started teaching 15 or so students a week, managing a music store full time and juggling 3 or 4 bands!
Between 2002 and 2004 I had the honor to be the studio and touring drummer for the Mississipi based mutil-platinum band 3 Doors Down. During the two and a half years we toured 14 countries, appeared on countless TV shows, recorded the live album Another 700 Miles, the studio album "17 Days", and the DVD "Live in Houston".
In January 2005 I received yet another life changing call. Nickelback was on the phone and they wanted me to try out for the band. After recording "Far Away" in the studio in Vancouver, I was asked to join the band. Three years later, the album "All the Right Reasons" has sold close to 10 million copies. Seven singles released, five of them 1. Twice around the world, and it's still going. During time off I still try to play and record with as many artists as possible. I always try to stay challenged and keep up my passion for music. Remember, the harder you work, the luckier you get!!
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