What instruments do you play and how long have you played them?
Well, drums and percussion are my primary instruments... well, they are my only instruments right now. I really want to learn to play piano and guitar so I can kick Dean out of the band... just kidding! I have played the drums since the age of 4. My parents bought me one of those kids drum sets you get at Toys R Us and I broke all of the heads the first day! My Dad took me to downtown Chicago (I grew up in Aurora, Ill) to Franks Drum Shop where he bought me a 5 piece blue sparkle Ludwig kit, man I wish I still had that kit!
What band or album made you want to start playing music?
My Dad managed a band back in Chicago called the Ides of March, they had the hit song Vehicle (which American Idol runner-up Bo Bice did on his new album) and many others. I was the band “brat”; I always hung out around the band during rehearsals and tried to learn as much as I could from Ides of March drummer Mike Borch. Mike was always kind enough to let me play his kit after practices, and they even kept his drum kit up after shows so I could play them. Growing up in the Midwest I’d say bands like the Ides of March, Chicago, REO Speedwagon, Cheep Trick and Grand Funk Railroad inspired me to play.
If you weren’t doing music, what would you pursue?
Believe it or not I wanted to be a professional Hockey Player (a goalie, and no, I’m not crazy!) and play for the Chicago Blackhawks. I went to prep school in New Hampshire and was planning on going to Dartmouth College and playing there. I came home from prep school on summer break and told my dad I didn’t want to go back, but instead, I wanted to pursue a music career. I don’t know if at that very moment he wanted to hug me or kick me, after all, I would be saving him thousands in tuition and airline tickets. I think I realized that making it to the NHL was like one in a bazillion and, oh ya, I also wanted to be a meteorologist (my favorite channel is the weather channel). I used to get freaked out by Tornadoes as a kid, now I want to chase them, maybe I am a little crazy!
What’s been the greatest thing about your music career?
What music career? No really, I thank the Lord that He has given me the opportunity to serve Him with the gift he has given me. The opportunity to play music that glorifies the Lord is the greatest thing anyone could ask for who cares about playing before 40,000 people, I’m playing for an audience of one! I thank the Lord that he has given me such talented people to play with in Emmaus Road.
How did you meet your ER bandmates?
I remember the first time I played with Dean, Tony and Char (Charlotte) at a church worship service in Simi Valley, CA I was floored by the talent the Lord blessed them with and I kept thinking “wouldn’t it be great if I could always play with them?” I remember sitting back there on the drums and being SO blessed. Matter of fact, I’m not a real emotional guy, but I was crying because I was so touched by the worship. That is one gig I will never forget! I hope others who come to see us have the same reaction I did, man that was quite a first impression!
In one sentence, describe each of the other band members.
Wow, in one sentence? Ok, here it goes:
Tony, If I ever had a long lost brother he’d be it. We both play hockey, we both are graphic designers, and even our middle names are the same, he is the band comedian too bad he’s a Dodger Fan!
Dean, well, he’s one of those guys that is like, well one of the girls. If you ever need a brother to talk to he’s the one who would understand your problems. (Unlike Tony who never picks up his cell phone.) He loves the drums and actually “geeks” out with me on drum gear and he’s a guitar player!
Char, hey, she’s from Chicago so I can’t say anything bad about her. Every time I hear her sing I get goose bumps or she makes me cry or both. Definitely one of the most “outgoing” people I have ever met, she is a real “hoot” to be around. She’s like one of the guys, but in a good way.
What other bands did you play in before ER? What style of music was it?
I own two road cases that were used by Danny Seriphine, the original drummer in Chicago, so every time I use them people ask me “did you play in Chicago?” I tell them I was the bass player and not the drummer. I played in a few Christian bands here in L.A., one was called Broken Silence. I guess we sounded like an 80’s band, but style was something like Journey, or at least I hoped that’s what it sounded like.
When and how did you become a Christian?
I became a Christian in December of 1984. My wife (back then my girlfriend) came to the Lord in November of that same year. Her brother, who is the Pastor of our church, really worked in her life as well as mine back then. He had a presentation (and still does) about Rock Music and we went to go check it out. We drove to downtown L.A. to this full-on Baptist Gospel church where he did the presentation, which made us think about our lives and where we were, or at that time, where we were not with the Lord. I was never raised a Christian, so I was really hesitant about all of this “religious” stuff as others call it. I could see the change in my then Girlfriend (now wife) when she became a Christian. I knew it was time to get serious about life, and the thought of knowing the Truth but turning from it was something I couldn’t deny. To think what our lives would be today without Jesus is very scary!
What’s in your CD player right now? Okay, okay, what’s playing on your iPod right now?
Yes, I am a proud iPod owner, and G5, and mini Mac, and G4 you get the picture... I love Apple Computers! [At least I’m not a “darksider” (PC User) like someone else in this band whose first initial starts with D.] But in my iPod I’d say the most listened to is Jeremy Camp, he rocks! I‘d love to meet him someday. (My daughter too!) I also would say Chris Tomlin. Now that guy is what I call talented! Probably my favorite is Jami Smith, if you don’t know who she is, you should! (www.jamismith.com) She is so gifted! Oh, and then there is some band called Emmaus Road ever heard of them?
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Well I guess since I never made it to the NHL, playing hockey would be my hobby. If you would ask my wife, she would say drums are my hobby.
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
I’m a HUGE Chicago Cubs fan, and Chicago Bears, and Chicago Blackhawks. I also like the L.A. Kings and have always followed them when I lived in Chicago. I can’t stand the Yankees, Lakers or Raiders! Was I supposed to say that?
Do you have any pets?
2 Golden retrievers, Bear and Naah (nay-uh)
What “hidden” talents do you have?
Believe it or not, I can play the drums!
What is your favorite food?
Pizza from Chicago is #1. I’d say my wife’s home made Fettuccini is up there next to the Pizza at #1. Mexican Food is also a favorite. Oh, and then there is In-and-Out Burger, now that’s what a burger is all about!
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I have so many, but I’d say when my house is a mess I freak out! I also can’t stand when people leave the patio doors to my back yard open and fly’s get in my house... now that REALLY ticks me off!
What habit annoys you the most?
I make it a habit NOT to drive in L.A. because you’ll either be stuck in traffic for hours or shot at. I guess you probably get the feeling by now I really don’t like L.A. very much, but you can’t beat the weather!
What book would you highly recommend? (Besides the Bible.)
Chris Tomlin has a new book out “The Way I Was Made - Words & Music for an Unusual Life” I highly suggest it. Also “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire” by Jim Cymbala of Brooklyn Tabernacle Church, it spoke to me in a huge way!
What is your favorite Bible story?
I’d have to say the story of the two men walking the road to Emmaus, which of course this band is named after. I was listening to a teaching by Greg Laurie (Harvest) about Luke 24:13 and I was so caught up in the way he told it. I thought about the two men walking this road and talking about the crucifixion of Jesus, and then actually meeting up with Jesus further down the road and conversing with Him. They had no idea they were talking to Jesus until later that day when he broke bread with them, then their eye’s were “opened” as it says in verse 31. Could you imagine walking with Jesus, the greatest “famous one” and not realizing who it was? When I think about these two men it reminds me of those of us who “walked” in darkness day after day until a “stranger” came into our lives and saved us from the road to hell and gave us the faith and hope these two men had after they realized who they had just been in the presence of.
My favorite book in the Bible is the book of Daniel, there is so much in that book to learn from, and I just love the way Daniel handles himself when asked to interpret the King’s dream, it was like “no big deal” he just says it like it is, even in fear that he may lose his life... now that’s faith!
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