Chad Patrick

REDLANDS, CA

“I grew up in MN and have been playing drums for 35 years now, and teaching for over 25. I started out as many drummers do, banging around in my crib. I banged around so much they nicknamed me Thumper after the character in Disney's "Bambi." My family put a little cardboard wall hanging of him over my crib, because I would thump my right (bass drum) foot to put myself to sleep. They rhythm has always been there, and I think that sealed my fate as a drummer. I had two older cousins that played and they both helped to influence me to become a drummer one day. I just love the drums”. Chad Patrick played in elementary school band and continued in the school music programs into middle, and high school. During that time, he was in the All City Band, the South Eastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra or S.E.M.Y.O., Symphonic band, Concert band, Marching band, Pep band, Percussion Ensemble for state competitions as well as various rock groups starting in about eighth grade. After high school Chad studied some music in college but continued to play in rock bands in the area until he graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1996 with my teaching degree. During college he also began to play guitar, sing, and write my own music. The summer following graduation he moved to CA to take my first full-time teaching position in the 4th grade in Fontana, CA, and to start the next chapter in my development as a player. Upon moving to CA he realized a dream that he had since he was young of moving to CA and playing music. he was only working at first but it did not take long until he got the bug to play in a band again, and joined a cover band a few months after arriving. Since then he has had the privilege to play well over 150 venues and with many, many talented people, opening sometimes for great acts like Joe Bonamassa. Foghat, Robben Ford and more.. The list includes: Groove Session, Rolling Reunion, Samantha Sudak, Micah Justice, Anderson Hall, Oso Rey, Spiro Nicolopoulos, Allison Sattinger, Matt Coleman, Kelly McGuire, All Marbles, Brittany Carvahal, Patrick McKeone, The Connie Roener Band, HandleHead, Loophole, and many more. He also has a long history of hosting open mics and encouraging others to share their musical gifts with the world. Chad also started a music lesson and band management business many years ago called 'The Old Jersey Music Lab' that has provided me a great opportunity to share my talents. He also does rhythm-based events, including drum circles for schools, private parties and corporate applications, as well as special whole school programs focusing on beginning music and instrument information which focusses on drums and percussion instruction. With his partner Kevin Swan, they have Musication Labs Lessons Studio in Redlands, CA and they decided to name our school programs "Musication" as well. He has had a few accomplishments in the 20 years he has been in CA; most notably he was a store champion for the San Bernardino, CA Guitar Center in 2001 and again in 2007 in their Nation Wide amateur drumming contest. He was also the second place winner in the WFD (World's Fastest Drummer) "Fastest Hands" competition at the Winter NAMM show in 2005. Chad is currently endorsed by the wonderful people at Tycoon Percussion, SKB Cases, and of course, The Drum Wallet as well. He is available for hire for live and recording gigs as a percussionist or drummer specializing in accompaniment to serve the song. He is currently accepting more students as an instructor for beginning and intermediate drum lessons. He always open to opportunities with those who recognize the value of creativity. He is currently booking schools in Southern CA for the Percussion in the Schools programs through The Percussion Marketing Council. He is blessed to be the first person in Southern CA to be cleared to work with representing this group. He had to prepare an extensive application packet with information about himself, his music, his teaching, and why he should be accepted into such a great program. The PMC is a not-for-profit organization that is striving to aid the ailing school music programs Nation-Wide, by providing professional musical performances to the schools while utilizing a wonderful fund matching grant program provided by NAMM. This group and others is doing exactly what he wants to do for people, especially children, and that is to educate them about the power of music. His programs are designed to enlighten students and faculty alike as to how to become a musician and to hopefully inspire some of them to follow their dreams of playing music and maybe making it a career one day. Chad meet dozens of CA State Standards in his programs and teachers are encouraged to use it as a motivator for the entire school year to teach everything from fractions, to creating an essay outline, to career planning for aspiring entrepreneurs. His influences are wide and varied as a player. Everyone from Buddy Rich to Animal from The Muppets influenced him at some point. It is true; He is a product of his environment! He was inspired early on by my cousins Danny and Daryll Patrick who both played drums. He could type all day about my influences, but what he has learned through it all is that we must serve the song if we want to be a professional player. We can't be successful if we are an egotistical ass and not fun to be around. To be skilled, humble and confident are some of his goals as a player.