BIOGRAPHY: Don began playing drums at age 10 in Roseburg, Oregon. With the support and encouragement of his father, Hobert, he played in the school band, eventually receiving his first drum, a Ludwig champagne sparkle snare. “I loved that drum and was devastated when it disappeared, but relieved to find it had been traded in towards my first set, a Vox/Trixon 4-piece. After listening to the records around the house, ‘The Smothers Brothers’, South Pacific’, and so on, Don’s first ‘milestone’ was when The Beatles ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ came on the radio. Borrowing a cymbal from the band room and learning Ringos’ drum beat became a top priority. At age 12, Don was inspired by his friends' rock band and was first exposed to ‘Hendrix’, Iron Butterfly’, and ‘Cream’. Don continued his musical studies and began playing professionally at age 17. To date he has played in over 100 bands, encompassing Rock, Jazz, Country, R & B, Punk, Funk, and Blues styles. Dons’ experience includes 5 years of touring, a portion of which was with the band ‘J.J. White’, opening for Sawyer Brown, playing on several recordings, teaching drums since 1991, and drum building since 2004. Since moving to the Portland, Oregon area in 1994, Don has had the honor of performing with several local luminaries such as: Paul Delay, Curtis Salgado, Lloyd Jones, Linda Hornbuckle, Janice Scroggins, D.K. Stewart, Robbie Laws, LaRhonda Steele, and Jay Koder, as well as national artists; Tab Benoit, Rod Price, Lee Oscar, Mitch Woods, The Texas Horns, Fiona Boyes, and Geoff Achison. Don attended Monterey Peninsula College where he studied music theory, percussion, piano and voice. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon, where he performs locally and regionally. Don is the recipient of four ‘Muddy Awards’ from The Cascade Blues Association, and has been twice nominated for ‘best drummer’. Don gives snare drum and drum set instruction at ‘Six String Central School Of Music’, the East Portland Community Center, ‘Ape Over Music’ in Vancouver,WA., and at his home in Portland. He also owns and operates ‘Portland Drum Company’, a custom drum building business.