Teddy B

Description:

Screen Name:

Teddy B

Sex:

M

Age:

61

Studio Musician:

No

Level Of Commitment:

Very Committed

Years Playing Music:

45

Gigs Played:

Over 100

Tend to Practice:

More than 3 times per week

Available to Gig:

4-5 time(s) per week

Most available:

Nights

Growing up in south Memphis Tenn. during the late 50's to mid 60's, I was heavily influenced by Soul, R&B, and Gospel music I heard on local black radio stations. I was also influenced by what I heard on some of the white radio stations as well...i.e. Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc. Then came the British invasion around 1963. It was obvious to me that the Brits were taking the best of both black and white American genres of music and molding it into something of their own. Needless to say, I was "blown away" by groups such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, Animals, etc. As a result of my profound love for all of these artist's music, I began to vocalize the songs' lyrics while singing lead melodies and switching to harmonies from time to time. At that same time, I also began to develope a keen sense of rythm and started applying it to snare drum which I played in my High School Band. From there I began to "dabble" in and out of different neighborhood garage bands until I went into the service in 1964.

Today, I'm really into Deep Soul, R&B, Blues, Gospel, Funk, Blues Rock, Funk Rock, Country or Southern Rock, Classic Rock, Jazz Rock, Latin Rock, etc. I also enjoy playing some Accoustic venues and find myself playing with Folk and Bluegrass folks from time to time. Even though I've only really been serious about playing drums for the past 5 years, I consider myself a "pocket" player. First and foremost, I want everyone in the band to know where "1" is and to feel confident that I'm going to keep them in the right meter and tempo. Oh sure, I can do fancy and complicated grooves and fills when the're called for but I don't believe in doing them just for the sake of doing them. I'm a firm beleiver in the philosophy that sometimes "less is better". Whether it be playing drums/percussion and/or singing lead, harmony, backup, etc., my primary purpose and motivation in so doing is to help make the band sound good! To me, it's all about the MUSIC and not egos or personalities.

Influences:

Drummers (just to name a few): Bernard Purdie, Clyde Stubblefield, Ja'bo (All played with James Brown), Steve Jordan (Stevie Wonder, John Mayer), Dennis Chambers (Santana/Steely Dan/PFunk), John Bonham (Led Zepplin), Ginger Baker (Cream/Blind Faith), Ian Paice (Deep Purple), Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix), Jeff Pocarro (Toto), Steve Gadd (Paul Simon/ Steely Dan/Eric Clapton), Charlie Watts (Rolling Stones/Charlie Watts Orchestra), Ringo Starr (Beatles/Ringo Starr's All Star Band), Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers), Stanton Moore (Galactic), Chris Layton (Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble/Arc Angels/Storyville), Sam Lay (Paul Butterfield Blues Band), Frank Beard (ZZ Top), Jim Keltner (Little Village/John Hiatt), Mic Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Corky Lang (Mountain/West, Bruce and Lang), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge/Cactus), Matt Abts (Government Mule), Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews), Ronald Brunner, Jr. (Stanley Clarke).

Equipment List:

Roland TD8 V Stage kit with dual trigger capabilities. Mapex Pro M 4-piece maple Jazz kit. Various vintage Slingerland, Rogers, and Ludwig snare and bass drums. Pearl ELX 6-piece birch Rock kit. Assorted Ziljan, Paiste, and Sabian cymbals. Assorted DW, Tama, Yamaha pedals and hardware. LP Aspire Congas and Bongos. Assorted shakers, tambourines, panderios, picollo toms, chimes, blocks, cowbells, etc. Oh yeah...and DRUM STICKS!!!! LOTS AND LOTS OF THEM!!!!

Audio/Video Downloads

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