Born June 13, 1977 in Columbus, Ohio.

Moved to Anderson, South Carolina July 12, 1988.

Moved to Atlanta, Georgia April 4, 1999.

Education: Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina.

Graduated with a B.A. in music, 1998

I am a freelance musician. That is to say that I work for myself, for other people. There is no single project or group that defines me as a player; rather, the diversity of work that I do, makes me stand out as an artist.

I started playing the drums at about age five, but formal education didn't begin until fifth grade. Junior high and high school band, youth orchestra, all state band, orchestra, and jazz band, as well as many varied ensembles, filled my time and I spent my spare time playing the drums by myself. I picked up a lot more percussion training in college.

After graduating from Furman, I moved to Atlanta to pursue a career as a freelance musician, which is always an exciting endeavor.

My various gigs over the years have included work with jazz, orchestral, choral, rock, country, big band, corporate, marching, church, and various other ensembles. I have also taught, written, arranged, programmed, and been a clinician and studio musician.

Live and studio projects have included working with Sam Thacker, Big Swig, Jake Sharp, Melanie Massell, Cat Daddy and the Creations, Still Swinging, Brad Long, Mount Paran Church of God, the David Cooper Band, Mike Johnson, Josh Blevins, Craig S. Heath, Charles Stanley, and various churches, symphonies, and single engagement situations.

I have performed with the Greenville Symphony, Spartanburg Philharmonic, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony and Savannah Sinfonietta.

I played with the William Noll Orchestra and Mixed Company for several years performing for weddings, corporate events, and special events.

I have worked with the marching program at Creekview High School in Cherokee County for four years. I continue to be involved in the program but will not be the caption head for the program any longer in order to facilitate an increasingly busy playing schedule.

People sometimes ask who my favorite drummer is. I can't point to one person. Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl both had a pretty big influence on me, but I really try to take something away from anyone I see play. I really dig Ben Folds' approach to playing the drums and love how Steve Ferrone can lay down a groove three miles wide. Jeff Watts brings a particular musicality to the instrument, which is the same I would say about Max Roach. Then you have guys like Dave Grohl who remind me that if I'm not having fun with it, I'm really missing the point. But you seriously can't compare guys like Weckl and Grohl. That's like asking me what my favorite food is! Do I like Unagi (eel) as much as I like good chips and a cup of fresh homemade salsa? What!!? That's what it's like. Then there's Little John Roberts- he's like a surgeon on the instrument. Steve Gadd is just a defining presence in the whole world of music. Carter Beauford- well, I named my cat after him, so there's that. Then there's Dennis Chambers. He absolutely makes my head spin. Billy Ward has such a great vibe as a human being and drummer. Harvey Mason's work with Fourplay specifically is something like watching a sushi chef at work. There's a delicacy and precision that's captivating.

Since I enjoy studio work so much, I really try to pay attention to guys like Paul Liem and John Robinson.

Glenn Kotche (Wilco) is one guy I really appreciate for what he has done with being a percussionist playing drumset. And Mickey Hart has done some really relevant projects.

I know there are a ton of other guys out there that have had an impact, too many to name. But like I said before, you take a little something from everybody, right? Keeps things fresh. Just don't ask me who my favorite drummer is unless you've got some time on your hands.