I've had a number of you ask about my background with music. Ok, I'll let the cat out of the bag. I finished my pro days around New Years 2000 performing with The Village People. Some of their shows are "soundtrack" band and some with a real band. I had the drummer's spot for 8 months. Tell you what. I'll copy and paste my bio from my resume. Here goes. From the beginning ... It began with instruction in elementary school in the 60's. I continued on in Junior and Senior high school in Frederick, MD. From 9th grade was accomplished to reach All County, Western Maryland Regional Honors Band and Maryland State Band as a full rounded percussionist. At the same time, I was also a hired performer in churches and community for holidays during the same school years. Under the direction of Band Director John Slezak and Drum Instructor Dick Janes from the Baltimore Yankee Rebels, I excelled in marching DCI & DCA Corps. Also, with a schoolmate, Scott Ambush - now bassist with the world famous jazz group Spyro-Gyra, we performed with the high school jazz band. While a Junior in high school, I was hired by a local country band and continued with them for a year while still performing with school, church and community. After a brief time with the Army, I again went to playing with a couple of local groups. One excelled and began to tour. We toured mostly the East Coast with much happening. The band BTE became well known and had celebrity sit-ins and performances with such people as: Charlie Pride, Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Dove, Ronnie Milsap, Jimmy Hodge, Ricky Scaggs, and others; either as an opening act or as the band behind the Artist. As the band grew, it pulled in Mike Farren on bass guitar from Bob Segar Silver Bullet Band. We ended touring in 1987. My next musical step came when I met Jeff Bunn - Bass player from Parliament / P-Funk All Stars. We formed together with Todd Manley - guitarist from Firehouse and Keith Wallace, who has recorded keyboards with The Temptations, Janet Jackson, and others. We were named The Earthtones. From time to time we would pull in other players like Frank Cates (DCI lead soprano, trumpet with Ellis Marsalis, Duke Ellington Orchestra, Temptations, etc.), Calvin Farmer (Tenor and Alto Saxophone - Chuck Berry, Duke Ellington Orchestra). We recorded a six song CD in a Flamenco/Latin style. While working with these guys, I would contract with up to 5 bands for live performances. One in particular was the band The Headstone Circus. They were another group of fine talent. We did a lot of openers for The Dave Mathews Band on an east coast college tour for a year and a half. From March of 1997 until April 2000, I ran an Open Mic Blues Night at Dogtown Lounge in Richmond, VA every Sunday night. Musicians from New York to Florida would come and perform on a regular basis making it one of the most sought after shows in Richmond, VA and possibly the east coast. Along with the Mic Night show, I was doing tour dates with a casino band named Private I'z. Picked up a drumming contract with The Village People in March 1999. And that brought me to the Speaking Rock Casino in El Paso, TX on a two week show during the Millennium New Year Celebration performing with The Village People. I have since moved to El Paso, have become active in the music community, perform with local groups like Dr. Groove, Fuego Latino, a member of The Friends of Jazz Society, a music student at UTEP, performing with UTEP's Marching Miners, Jazz 2 group, Pandemonium Steel Drum Group, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra and UTEP PEP Band. Performed with these Artists Roy Carter -Accordion - Zydeco Recording Artist Big Jack Johnson - Blues Guitarist of the Year - 1998 Down Beat Polls Steve Winwood - Rock n Roll Bobby Messano - Lead guitarist for Steve Winwood Tom Larsen - Blues / Funk Recording Artist Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos - Blues Recording Artist Winds of Change Earthtones - Independent Label Artists Ronnie Dove - Nashville Recording Artist Ronnie Milsap - Nashville Recording Artist Kenny Rogers - Nashville Recording Artist Charlie Pride - Nashville Recording Artist Jeff Bunn - Bass Player for Parliament / P-Funk All-stars Todd Manley - Guitar - Firehouse Keith Wallace - Keyboards - Major Artists Ronnie Younkins - Rock n Roll group Kix Scott Ambush - GRP Recording Artist - Spyro Gyra Jimmy Hodge - Nashville Recording Artist Ricky Scaggs - Nashville Recording Artist Joe E. Brown - Bass - Nashville Recording Artist - Hank Williams, Jr. Nevada Hart - Guitar - Nashville Recording Artist - Hank Williams, Jr. Calvin Farmer - Saxophone-Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, others Frank Cates - Trumpet-Duke Ellington Orchestra, Temptations, DCI-Boston Crusaders, Blue Devils, others Eileen Edmonds - Independent World/Folk Recording Artist The Village People - 70's & 80's Disco Recording Group Willie Kahn - Guitarist for Lynard Skynard Associations and Clinic Study John Wooten - Doctor of Percussion - Univ. of S. Mississippi Ricky Malichi - Spaun Drums endorsed Drummer Dom Famularo - Endorsed Clinician-Educator-Motivationist Carter Beauford - Dave Matthews Band Keith Horn - Trish Yearwood and others Victor Wooten - Jazz & Funk Joe Morello - Dave Brubeck Quartet Steve Smith - Journey, Vital Information Vinnie Caliouta - Frank Zappa, others Steve Gadd - Steely Dan, Chuck Mangione, Paul Simon and others Will Kennedy - Yellow Jackets, Martin Short Show Aerosmith - Ran monitor mix for a performance Jerome Brailey - Parliament/ P-Funk All-stars Richard Boals & the Souls - Blues Recording Artist DCI Corps. - Crossmen '74 and '75 DCA Corps. - Baltimore Yankee-Rebels '76 and '77 Performed w/ high school band for the President of the United States in 1976, Washington, D.C. All County High School Band - 4 years Western Maryland Regional Honors Band - 3 years Maryland State Band - 2 years Numerous awards and citations - 4 years Endorsed artist for www.PerussionSchool.com Second year student at UTEP - Undergraduate of Music Education Current Percussion Instructor - Burges High School - 2 years Private instruction for several students - El Paso, TX Creator and instructor of Sword2Drum Fundamentals Drumming Camp Director of Music - David Carrasco Job Corps - Current

hello Kenneth, thankyou for the invitation.I was L@@King into you clinic association with drums as you have also a friend being me that lives and drums all the time I have also played with some top australian bands,being a drum instructor for Billy Hydes Clinics in sydney australia cockroaches. sunny Boys Flowers(ice House) Goanna live support dual drummers. Stormy Monday My overseas claim to fame was a tour in 1988,89 with Suzie Quartro her husband's band Lenny was a bit angry and their drummer went back home,boy was that a shock and I really did it with all honesty I was scared at most but we pulled it off and they paid me well for it. I was asked to do the tour as I was his drum riser and support drummer and ended up doing all 12 gigs around australia.RSL and leagues clubs only Our support band was Crowded House,this was my last tour and now I only do session work for people like new shinning up and coming stars.Billy Hydes has some real great acts coming from within their junior class drummers.I mean Kenneth they are doing some amazing things with their ability with new modern drum kits. I sell drums always tama swingstar and superstar Kits with Pastie cymbals and Hi-Hats.I have some photos of my drums on my blog.I hope we can drum some at florida next October I will be bringing my sticks anyway. Thanks for sharing all your musical career with us Kenneth you shine very well with your music it's no wonder you are good at adland as you are a perfectionist. I have been told that you are a good drummer and I was told that by the person from your Baltimore Yankee Rebels days John Slezak and Drum Instructor Dick Janes. I excelled in marching DCI & DCA Corps. Also, with a schoolmate, Scott Ambush - now bassist with the world famous jazz group Spyro-Gyra, we performed with the high school jazz band. Oh listen up,on july 4th your birthday I was treated to a live DRUMLINE performance by four large colleges with Atlanta Schools for musicans, only people that read music get in drum majors all competing against each other like rappers and break dancers they are doing it with drums and drumlines of band players so cool and kenneth there were some really good talented kids. Have a wonderful Day Kenneth and everyone. regards jeffrey OBrien http://www.jeffreyobrien.pressmania.com/

I agree with Hilda. How do you cope? Anyway, congratulations on your accomplishments. This is what makes life interesting. Best wishes, Regina

What a resume! I believe though that your best days yet loom brightly before you, Ken -never behind. I call you blessed!

HI! I did not know you were famous. I play piano and sing mostly in church, but as of yet have not been recognized. Hopefully that will happen soon , would at least like to make a CD. Be sure and post any websites you have on quikhits at www.quikhits.com/ref-124 thanks and have a great day! Carla