Desert Drummer

Better Late Than Never  is something we hear a lot and this seems to apply a lot to the late Eric Carr, who was the drummer for KISS from 1980-1991. While many hardcore KISS fans loved his drumming during his time with the band there are still many who did not show such appreciation until many years after his tragic death in November of 1991. Perhaps it was out of loyalty to the great Peter Criss, who was the original drummer of the band or perhaps it was because the KISS Army had to experience the reality of  Don't Know Whatcha Got 'Til It's Gone.  Either way, many are finally seeing how great he was and even going as far as stating that Carr was in fact the best drummer KISS ever had.   With the band ending its touring career many fans have taken some time to look back on the entire performance career of the band. Thankfully, the band did include songs from each era during their final touring set list, which brought Carr into the conversation again about the b...

Rock stars always seem to find a way to make headlines and these days the use of backing tracks seems to be the big topic. From the use of  backing tracks  behind the band performing live to vocalists lip-syncing their parts to instrumentalists miming their parts onstage. For fans spending hundreds and in some cases, thousands of dollars for tickets alone, this is big deal. So, for whatever reason that a band is either filling in the sound or dare I say, deceiving their audience, we are entitled to an explanation.     Backing Tracks  I have performed with backing tracks several times in multiple bands. In each case it was out of necessity. From the use of sequencers to determined musicians who filled in the space due to missing band members, it was certainly a use what you have approach. Either way, I respected the determination of those in such projects. In each case, the audience didn't seem to care because the backing tracks featured specific instrume...

I am blessed to say that 2023 was one of my best years as a musician and as a performer. There were certainly challenges and struggles but the end results were more than worth it. Here is a review of the year and I am happy to say that it features a lot of new opportunities as well as memories of working with some amazing people.    My drums at Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach, CA A Great Start  The year started with me working in the world of musical theater. I was invited back to Arts Express Theater to perform in the production Always Patsy Cline. I was thrilled to return just a few months after my first performance with this company and it was such a thrill to work with some of the actors and musicians that I had worked with before while also getting a chance to meet and work with more talented artists. The production was amazing and the audience at each show were really into it.  A little more than a month later I was at the Cabaret Theater with the Arizona Thea...