Prior to his launching a career as a professional musician, John spent a few years developing his drumming ability and musicianship as a member of the U. S. Navy. John spent one year at the Navy School of Music in Washington D.C. before beginning his tour duty of the West Pacific, and while stationed on the West Coast in San Diego.
During his tour of duty, John performed for many foreign dignitaries and political figures, and high ranking military personnel throughout Japan, the Philippines and Hong Kong as part of a public relations tour for the U.S. Navy.
After leaving the U.S. Navy, John returned to his home of St. Louis, MO to begin his professional career as a musician and teacher.
John’s experience as a musician and teacher includes performing in nightclubs backing a variety of acts, and performing dance music. John has also performed in concert as a member of small jazz ensembles, and
big bands, and commercial, Top-40 venues as well.
John spent two years of his career touring and presenting instructional venues for Young Audience Concerts while performing with members of the St. Louis-Symphony Percussion Ensemble, and the St. Louis Jazz Quartet. These performances also included conducting music workshops. Audiences included K-12 students as well as college students.
While working in Nashville, TN, John worked with various groups and artists. His first gig on the Opry was backing Skeeter Davis, who John also toured with. John worked with Jim Vest and Tommy Williams (who are amongst the elite of Nashville’s studio musicians) as a member of the Nashville Cats. John has also performed with well known steel guitarist’s such as Buddy Emmons, Herb Wallace, Paul Humphrey, Paul Franklin Jr., Doug Jernigan, and Julian Thorpe, to name a few.
In addition, John performed as staff musician for Opryland USA, Nashville’s former well-known amusement park and home to many famous Country & Western stars and acts.
As a resident of the Pacific Northwest for the past eighteen years, John has been performing in the Portland, OR/ Vancouver, WA and Tacoma, WA areas with bands such as Robbie Laws, Nicole Fournier, Paul deLay, Brad Davis' Kansas City Rhythm Kings Swing Ensemble, Les Gray Jazz Quartet. John also performed with the Kinzel & Hyde Band (Excellent Blues/ Delta Blues, and second line) for almost three years, and finished up 2009 performing with the JR Sims Texas Special ( Excellent Texas Blues, and Stevie Ray Vaughn styles).
John has also been a volunteer performing for Christian Worship.