July 2011
1 post
Back To Tumblr
I have a renewed interest in tumblr, since all my friends are now on here. so lets see what we can do about moving all those old posts over to here from that other blogging service!
August 2010
3 posts
Importing
currently in the process of importing all of my old blog posts on another service to this one. I really am diggin tumblr, and found my blog service! lets hope it is here for the long run, because I have been blogging since 1992! yes, 92! before windows 95 even existed! so anyway, be on the lookout for those, I will also date the entries appropriately, so be sure to view the archives.
thank you...
Drum Lessons
I am happy to announce that I have been offering drum and percussion lessons since July 2009. If you or anyone you know might be interested please contact me as soon as possible. I am open to students from age 5-100. I teach the methods of modern drumming as well as the older foundation styles. I also teach percussion and how to mix regular drums with percussion to create a unique sound that I...
Reactivating Tumblr
been a while since I have posted on here. sorry! I am trying to find a good blog service. I think I will give this one another shot since it is the easiest, and I have some followers on here! I will need to import my other stuff, so be on the lookout for more posts in the coming weeks.
May 2010
3 posts
Auditions
Let the auditions begin! I have gotten a few wonderful offers from bands in and around Athens within a few days of leaving the former band I was in! These opportunities I have gotten, or offers if you will, are very tempting and pretty amazing! I have been diving into some great music, and great CD’s (as I study the tunes for the auditions). This was well worth the wait I think! All of these bands...
John Keane Studios
I have been in the studio for the past three evenings at the legendary John Keane Studios here in Athens, GA. I am absolutely honored to be a part of this amazing experience, and it feels amazing to sit in the same studio where some of my heroes sat and recorded music (REM, Widespread Panic, Indigo Girls, Atlanta Rhythm Section, the list goes on). I have never seen a platinum album, much less a...
Burning Angels
It is with an extremely heavy heart that I have to end my drumming/percussion tenure with the Burning Angels. scheduling, and some personal conflicts were issues we could not surpass no matter how hard we tried for the past two months. unfortunately we could not settle our differences without upsetting the flow of things within the band. I do wish the band all of the success in the world. it is...
February 2010
1 post
Are You Organized?
What does it mean to be an “organized” drummer? When your band plays a song, do you play that song the same way every time? If not, you should. Here’s why… It can all be summed up into one word called “predictability.” So many drummers will never play a song the same way twice. This, many times, throws the other musicians off, potentially causing a drag in timing or...
January 2010
3 posts
How Not To Be "Just A Drummer"
How can you expand your opportunities to be the best drummer you can be? Most drummers will say by practicing… and by practicing a lot. While it is true that practice is essential, the key to expanding your capabilities is by developing your versatility. It’s all about using the skills that you already possess and channeling them towards related fields. Since your most basic skill is playing the...
Vintage
I have been on a vintage drum kick for the past ten years or so, and recently been looking at EBay for some authentic vintage drum sets, and cymbals. The buys on there are absolutely incredible for some authentic stuff. If I had a million dollars I am afraid my home would be full of drum sets from the 1920’s, 30’s and 60’s with cymbals to match from that decade. But I digress.
The only real...
Ten Years Gone
Today is the start of 2010! Happy new year to everyone that reads my blog. This promises to be one of the biggest years in my professional music career. I couldn’t be happier about that. From recording an album with John Keane (REM, Widespread Panic) to playing the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville (both later this year), among other exciting news and big events just waiting to happen. Looking forward...
December 2009
2 posts
Christmas 2009
Well its almost here, another Christmas has fast approached. In this busy time I want to take a minute and wish all of my friends, family, and fans a very Merry Christmas. Here is to a fabulous holiday, and brand new year. 2010 is going to be one of the biggest years of my music and personal career. Please stay tuned to my website for all of the events and happenings.
Lots Of New Stuff
Lots of new stuff to announce with The Burning Angels. We are tentatively booked to perform at The Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville in March 2010. We are also slated to appear at the Northwest Georgia Bank Amphitheater in early 2010. We just landed our first out of state show at The Acoustic Coffeehouse in Johnson City, TN in January 2010. Our demo, we recorded in November 2009, was just personally...
October 2009
9 posts
Interesting Stuff In Works
Whelp, it has been an interesting few days with the band. All good stuff. The first thing is that we (possibly) might be recording with the legendary John Keane, John Keane Studios in Athens, GA. REM, Indigo Girls and more are on his client list. Pretty amazing, and incredible opportunity for us as a band, and individually in our careers. This is all possible, and COULD happen, stay tuned to find...
Drums
This post is to let everyone out there know that I have went back to the kit for the band The Burning Angels! I think the kit sounds much better and more driving than the hybrid rig sounded for this particular band. Now, the other band, Helen Dodge, will now be an acoustic band, and you might see the hybrid or percussion only on some shows with that band. I still play percussion, the congas are...
Show Review
I normally dont take the time to post a show review on every show, but the show last night at the Flicker Theater was incredible. If you missed it, you missed out on an awesome experience.
Adam Poulin performed with us, it was the first time I have heard him perform live. It added so much to the mix! A fiddle/violinist that can perform is something to behold. We also had Lefty sit in on piano...
Recording
Got some awesome news for everyone out there. The Burning Angels, and Helen Dodge are recording this coming weekend! I am stoked, and ready to lay down some awesome tracks for the band! I am really looking forward to this, its been a while since I have recorded with a band where I am one of the members (session work just isnt the same when you arent a full fledged member). So this is awesome! Look...
Drum Lessons
I am happy to announce that I have been offering drum and percussion lessons since July 2009. If you or anyone you know might be interested please contact me as soon as possible. I am open to students from age 5-100. I teach the methods of modern drumming as well as the older foundation styles. I also teach percussion and how to mix regular drums with percussion to create a unique sound that I use...
The Burning Angels & More
As of October 2009, I have joined the band The Burning Angels. I am also in the band Helen Dodge, and perform with Natalie Garcia. All three bands, are mostly the same members, but totally different sounds. Its very unique, and a privledge to be able to play for these people. Some of the musicians in these bands include Mark Cunningham, Betsy Franck, Adam Poulin, Corey Holland, and more! They have...
Lucky Number 13
Wow, hard to believe its been 13 years since I began my professional music career, this August, and 9 years since my first live performance in Colorado. Time sure flies when you are having fun that’s for sure! I have had the time of my life playing the drums and bringing music to the masses! So, here’s to another 13 years and more I hope!
My Myspace →
Im Here
Looks like I have finally made it to tubmlr! I am diggin the site, looks like another Twitter, but it seems to have a little more options! And you can post things, longer than a few characters! Hmm, interesting.
I guess I will move my blog from wordpress, on over to here.
June 2003
1 post
The Peoples Fair
Melanie Susuras Band will be performing at the Denver Pavillions Stage this weekend at the Peoples Fair in downtown Denver! woot! be sure to come check us out! we would love to see you there, and play some kick ass music for you!
UPDATE the show was freakin awesome. however, our stage monitor mix went out, so we couldnt hear each other on stage! that could have been a nightmare, however we...
August 2000
1 post
First Show
well, today was my first official paid performance. the show was at Borders Book Store in Longmont, Colorado. it was awesome. I performed with the Melanie Susuras Band, and since I just joined a week ago and learned 20 songs, I thought it would be a train wreck. it wasnt! it went over very well, and I rocked it out. I caught a ride with the band in the band truck, and we had a blast all the way up...