I guess this is were I’m supposed to write something cool about myself!
I began playing guitar at the age of the age of 12. By the time I was 13 I had discovered the drums and I knew this was what I was born to do. At the age of 14 I received the “Most Outstanding Musician Award†at my Jr. High, (a first for a drummer). By the time I was in High school I was playing in several different bands and moonlighting on the side playing as a hired gun in Orchestra’s, Party bands, church events etc. My older brother Joe is an amazing guitar player and we had several bands together and played at home pretty much every day. He would bring home these records (really big CD’s) of great bands like YES, UFO, Montrose, Ted Nugent, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. My brother was definitely a big influence on me musically back then.I took some formal lessons in my teens where I learned to read music, learned some theory and sticking techniques etc. I gained invaluable techniques that I still use today. My favorite teachers were: Scott Musick (The Call), Olaf Schiappacasse (Martin Mann Trio), and Rick Walker. These teachers exposed me to drummers I probably would not have heard otherwise, drummers like; Billy Cobham, Tony Williams, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Chick Web, etc. As my musical appetite grew I found bands that were mixing styles. Bands with the heaviness and power of rock and with the feel and finesse of the jazz players, bands like; Rush, YES, The Dixie Dregs, Queen and Jeff Beck.By the time I was out of High School I was playing local clubs and sitting in with well-known touring musicians in the area and teaching drums to make extra money. Years later many bands, tours and recordings have come and gone. Some great, some not so great. I have had the pleasure of playing with or sharing the stage with many world class musicians from bands such as JOHNNY LEE HOOKER, DREAM THEATRE, DOOBIE BROTHERS, STEVIE RAY VAUGHN, TYR, MONOHAN, EXTREME, VAN HALEN, MOBY GRAPE, RANDY HANSEN, KISS, PAT TRAVERS, just to name a few. I have been very blessed!I continue to teach a limited number of students in the Santa Cruz area and co-own a small recording studio with my Rock-n-Roll brother Mike Fenton. We are also members of the band NEXT DAY.I love something about almost every type of music from Big Band to Classical, to Hardcore Metal, but I really love Progressive rock. Bands that cannot be defined by one song or one album.In 2005 I hooked up with my long-time friend MICHAEL LEE FENTON, (one of the most amazing musicians I've ever met) and began to write music. From the first day we new we had something special. The music just happens! I love this band because like all the bands that I love, NEXT DAY cannot be defined by one song or one album. (sorry I meant CD). One song may be a melodic moody song and the next, CRUSHING ROCK! I love it, keeps me on my toe's.Please go to www.myspace.com/nextdayband and add us.Thanks for your support! S.F.
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