“I grew up in the small East Texas town of Elysian Fields. My godfather bought me my first drum set when I was 3 as a joke to my parents. It’s funny how things work out. I used to put on my VHS of George Strait in concert and stand on my Little Tykes picnic table “stage” with my Ernie banjo and imagine that I was George himself. I continued to learn music little by little throughout my younger years, taking piano lessons and finally getting my first “real” drum set for my 10th birthday. I would sit in my room and play to “The Commodores Greatest Hits” and anything country. My dad bought me my first guitar, a 1981 American Fender Lead III (which I still own), a few years later. My aunt taught me how to play by ear, and I would go to any gospel or bluegrass singing I could find and sit in.

    The same year I got my drums, I also accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. That’s when I finally started to see where my life had brought me and where He was telling me to go. I surrendered my life to the ministry at age 13 after a couple of years of traveling and playing for different churches and camps across the Ark-La-Tex. I led worship for my youth group throughout high school and played in a Christian rock group called “Floodlight.” I finally ended up at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (yeah, only God could have gotten me here) on a band scholarship after being selected as a member of the Texas All-State Concert and Jazz bands. Through my band director, Gary Meggs, I have received numerous opportunities to play with great musicians including Della Reese.

    The best experience I have had since being in college is serving as the worship leader for the Missionary Baptist Student Fellowship and being under the discipleship and mentorship of Rob Leonard. God has blessed me with a loving family and great friends who have helped me and encouraged me to get to where I am today as a Senior music major at UAM. I strive to live my life everyday as a gift back to Him.”