I grew up in Northwestern WI.(a small town, near St Paul/Minn, MN.)-My father was my Jr. High band director and he was inspirational to many, including me.  I garnered many rudimental awards early on, at Regional and State music competitions. 

I started college at Green Bay University for two years, studying classical percussion then finished the next three years of my degree for Jazz Studies and Performance from William Paterson University in N.J. (Noted for its Jazz Program and being just outside NYC).  However, moving after college to Phoenix, most of my formative playing years were in Phoenix, AZ. Regularly playing 6-10 gigs and teaching over a dozen students drums, weekly, for several years.  Two dear friends and fellow drummers of mine worked the studio gigs that Phoenix had. Part of my decision to eventually move to LA.

That led me to ultimately work with and play on stages with several of my musical heroes, (most publicly recognized)- The legendary Chuck Berry; Alex Ligertwood-(long-time vocalist for Santana), Jack Sheldon-(TV fame and jazz recording star); Rob Chiarelli-(2x Grammy winner), David Garfield- (Top-call recording session and touring-(for George Benson, Natalie Cole, etc.) Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton, Joe LaBarbara, Bernie Dresel, Greg Bissonette, Rufus Reid, Ari Hoenig, Michael Carvin, Steve Bagby, Dave Samuels-(Vibraphone), Dom Moio, Danny Tomlinson, Kenny Aronoff, and Ricky Lawson. 

I feel blessed for the years I got to have time around them, and play music, and hang out with each other.  Happily, many of them are friends of mine, and they continue to inspire and encourage me greatly; sometimes with a call…sometimes just from knowing their relentlessness and excellence.   The time from 1999 to 2012; when I made LA his home, was invaluable in career changes, challenges, growth, camaraderie, and sheer inspiration. Always striving to improve his level of musicianship and drumming.

Music has been good to me. I’ve toured for four years, while in LA… Not only sharing concert and festival stages with big-name, main-stream Country and Blues artists, employed by some- and as an opening band for several other major Artists, playing the U.S. and beautiful, amazing, countries in Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

In 2008-unaware of the ensuing economic downturn right around the corner… I decided to finish working away from LA -on the road.

Four years on the road, playing International Tours; [France, Switzerland, Sweden; Spain, & Norwegian Blues Festivals, etc.]& across the U.S. several times – Touring for four years on the road, playing International Tours; [France, Switzerland, Sweden; Spain, & Norwegian Blues Festivals, etc.] & across the U.S. several times – Venues: World Movie Premiere of “Cars”, Disney Land, Disney World, FLA., House of Blues, Las Vegas-Mandalay Bay; Fourth of July, to 100,000 people; BottleRock Festival -Napa, CA. Country Thunder- In AZ & WI, etc.

Today is great! I find myself about three years that I have lived in the Denver, Colorado area — to be Dad to my little girl.

I continue to teach and play as a freelancer – Very exciting bands that I am involved in, are all firing up and one Burn DeVere is recording exciting music, that I can’t wait to put up publicly. A bunch of movement happening at the moment- getting ready for the world to open up.  Still actively recording, and open to even more studio session work, as well as my online course creation.

Life is exciting and full…