Music has always been a big part of my life. My family are musical and my early influences came from my two brothers. At school I learned some bits and bobs on the guitar. I still enjoy strumming along to a few tunes at home and at open mic nights. I’ve dabbled with various instruments throughout the years and recently I bought a lovely ukulele which fits nicely into my rucksack!

My passion for percussion started after a trip to New Orleans in 1998. I came back inspired by what I had seen and heard – I bought a set of congas, had a couple lessons and went to percussion workshops in Manchester. In 2000 a good friend bought me my first drum kit and in 2001 I began lessons with a brilliant teacher – John Hicks. That was me hooked!

Over the years I’ve played kit and percussion in a few local bands. I attended an evening ‘RockSchool’ course at Runshaw College and residential drum courses at Winchester and Bath Universities. All experiences were real learning curves for me and I’ve met some good folk along the way.

Each year I join a coach load of drummers for a trip to the Royal Northern College of Music & Drama in Manchester for a day of percussion, and throughout the year I go to drum clinics to watch how the pro drummers do it! I also enjoy having a beer or three and watching other local bands – there is so much talent on the local music scene.

I’m really pleased to have been given the opportunity to play in the After Hours Blues Band. I joined towards the end of 2010 and am loving it! I first saw the band about 11 years ago – I didn’t know them then but liked their sound and bought their CD!

I’m enjoying learning and playing the After Hours songs, playing original material excites me and the covers are arranged in a unique After Hours way. It’s a good atmosphere at rehearsals and I’m learning loads from Lee and Doug. I look forward to the times ahead.