Mr. big sticks

Leirrie Valentin was born in Wisconsin. Around 5th grade after first being introduced to the drums. He knew from that point on that was what he would do for a living. When other kids where going outside to play for recess, he would go and practice in the band room. This hard work eventually led to playing with all state bands before hitting high school. Spending the grade school summers going to jazz camps.Once in high school, he was lucky enough to be in one of the best programs in Wisconsin (Lake Geneva music) There he was taught the fundamentals from having enrolled in marching, jazz, concert, and pep band. After graduation he jumped right into the scene and started touring with different funk and hip hop bands and continuing to do competitions. (winner of the 2003 Guitar center drum off for the midwest).Fast forward a few years to 2004. Eager to continue his education, he relocated to GA to study at the Atlanta Institute of music. At this point he started taking private lessons with some of the best players in town including Tom Knight from TLC, Craig Harber from The Temptations, and Chris Coleman from New Breed. After graduation he jumped right back to traveling and touring with a group called www.Blanketyblankband.com; playing in most of the colleges, clubs and festivals across the Southeast.In between performing with corporate band Mighty mc fly, he currently teaches around Atlanta and Gwinnett county, and currently resides in Norcross Ga.