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When New England’s performers, songwriters and producers are looking for “the right stuff,“ they call the Rocket. Portland Magazine called him “Maine’s Most Sought After Drummer,†and he is the first call for countless artists, regardless of their genre or musical needs.
He’s been nominated for awards as wide-ranging as “Best Soul/R&B,†“Best Electronica,†(Portland Phoenix Best Music Poll) and “Best Country/Roots Act†(Boston Music Awards.) He’s drummed onstage at the Country Music Association Music Festival, the largest festival of it’s kind in the world. And, he’s drummed onstage at Southpaw, the heart and soul of hip hop in Brooklyn, NY. He’s opened for reigning American Idols, Nashville Stars, and several of the biggest names in Pop, Rock, and Country Music, past and present. He’s played Christian, Metal, and Christian Metal. From downtempo to down home, the Rocket is living the same musical diversity reflected in his expansive music collection.
As a live and studio musician, the Rocket has averaged 125 dates a year for most of the new millennium, playing wildly diverse genres, sounds, and venues. Despite the differences between all the variety of gigs and studio dates, the Rocket never suffers from any whiplash. When asked by the Portland Press Herald about the diversity of his projects and his approach, his reply was simple, “...despite differences, everyone expects me to know the music front to back and keep great time... I have to make sure I bring everyone the best I have... I combine those experiences, because they all go in to the same bag that I draw from, no matter which gig I’m at or which artist I’m working with.â€
The second half of 2007 saw the Rocket celebrating the release of his first recorded work with Nashville singer/songwriter Don Campbell, with whom he had been touring for the past 4 years. He also appeared with Don as a featured musical guest at Nashville Star winner Chris Young’s fan club parties at the 2007 CMA Music Festival. In addition, the Rocket played to a massive crowd at a CMJ Post-Party in NYC with Miss Fairchild, toured the US and Canada, contributed a remix (with collaborator Patrick Johnson as the the Difference) to the Project Dark “Director’s Cut†remix album, and drummed on a holiday jingle for L.L. Bean.
As a DJ, the Rocket has played to countless crowds. His little black book of events is full of luxury lifestyle brands, martini lounges, private parties and command performances that regularly call on his services.
the Rocket is currently drumming with: Miss Fairchild, the Sumner McKane Group, Andy Happel, Pentateuch, and playing regular sessions at the Studio (Portland, ME.) The Rocket is one-half of the rhythm section-for-hire, the Difference (with bassist Pat “Trick†Johnson.) He is also the resident drummer and percussionist for Portland, Maine’s Milled Pavement/brick.city.media record label family. the Rocket, along with wespushbuttons partners Moshe, j.hjort, and Mike Clouds, will be serving at the official DJs for the Maine Roller Derby 2008 Season. Seriously.
the Rocket is currently teaching through the Maine Academy of Modern Music and Hip Hop Summer Camp. He is also affiliated with the Portland Music Foundation.
For the latest news about the Rocket, please visit the blog:
www.therocket.name
