**Musical Journey:**
- How did your love for music start?
- What instruments do you play?

I started discovering my love for music at a very young age when my mom and I would sing songs together in the car or before bedtime (mostly worship music, or my mom’s favorite…Donny Osmond). My first official musical experience came when I began taking guitar lessons at 7 years old, and I started singing in children’s choral ensembles not long after. In my pre-teen and teenage years, I taught myself how to play drums and keys, and eventually became a member in the Worship band at the church I grew up in. I went off to college as a music major, but decided that it wasn’t for me. However, music already had a hold on me I couldn’t escape; between my “day job” as a Worship Director in RVA and performing with Silver Bullets, I’m now a full time professional musician - and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

2. **Band Experience:**
- How did you join the cover band?
- Any favorite performance?

Fun fact: I am the only non-original member of Silver Bullets! In 2018, I was living in Norfolk, VA and I received a call to interview with a church in Richmond to be their new Worship Director. During the interview process, the church asked me to play with their Worship band on a Sunday morning, and I received a Facebook message from Zack of SIlver Bullets that same evening, saying he was in attendance at the church that morning, and that Silver Bullets was on the hunt for a new lead singer. We messaged back and forth a bit, I eventually met up with the whole band, and the rest is history! We all decided it was a great fit, so I packed my bags and moved to Richmond to make some music and memories with this crew who are now like family.

3. **Music Style:**
- Favorite wedding song or genre?
- How do you adapt songs for events?

Personally, my musical taste is ALL over the place (as you’ll see from my Spotify playlists). My favorite music to play with SB is…whatever gets the crowd hype! When the crowd really gets into it, it creates an energy feedback loop that everyone can feel, and those are my absolute favorite memories in my time with the band. A few songs that are almost always sure to create that energy are “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fallout Boy, “Blinding Lights” by the Weeknd, and “Shut Up and Dance” by WALK THE MOON, so I always get excited for what’s to come when I see those on the setlist. We put our own spin on every song we play, so there’s always something new and fresh for listeners when they hear a familiar song in the style of Silver Bullets!

4. **Collaboration:**
- How do you work with other band members?
- Key to successful musical collaboration?

5. **Memorable Moments:**
- Any standout events or feedback?

One of my favorite parts of playing shows with the band is remembering moments from specific show dates, or maintaining relationships with specific clients through the years. There are wedding clients from years ago that still attend our public events to this day, and that’s such a great testament not only to the performance value we try to create for people, but the desire we have to make each SB experience memorable on a personal level.

6. **Personal Style:**
- Describe your stage presence.
- Any pre-show rituals?

7. **Audience Connection:**
- How do you engage with the crowd?
- Memorable fan interactions?

While playing shows, my hope is to always make sure the crowd knows they aren’t just “watching” Silver Bullets - they’re the most important part of the experience! Engagement is my end goal, so I try to do whatever I can to interact with people to keep them dancing and singing along through the whole event.

8. **Future Plans:**
- Goals with the band?
- Your vision for the band's future?

For as long as I continue to be a part of this project, I just want two things: The first is to keep creating memorable experiences for everyone who sees us play, and the second is to continue making lifelong memories with the guys at every stop along the way!

1. **Musical Journey:**
- How did your love for music start?
I remember being enthralled with music from a very young age listening to American Bandstand with my Dad. I was raised on the classics (The Beatles, Beach Boys, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Tom Petty, ELO) and absolutely love that my musical foundation is rooted there. I began piano lessons at a young age and ultimately taught myself to play the guitar. I took a hiatus from college to tour the country in a couple of different rock bands and I was hooked. I ultimately returned to college and settled down with my family but this project is the perfect way to live in both worlds.
- What instruments do you play?
Anything with strings or keys.

2. **Band Experience:**
- How did you join the cover band?
Founding father since 2012. I remember discussing the idea with Hessler and then separately in the studio with Matt and Dan. It all came together quickly and felt natural from day 1!
- Any favorite performance?

3. **Music Style:**
- Favorite wedding song or genre?
Tina Turner - The Best
- How do you adapt songs for events?
I try to stay true to the song while putting my own twist on it where possible. I love to sneak in funk elements as much as possible to bring more energy.

4. **Collaboration:**
- How do you work with other band members?
- Key to successful musical collaboration?
Showing up prepared, every day.

5. **Memorable Moments:**
- Any standout events or feedback?
NASCAR, Manteo 4th of July, any wedding that brings the dance floor energy!

6. **Personal Style:**
- Describe your stage presence.
I strive for perfection in my execution while always moving on stage.
- Any pre-show rituals?
Protein, caffeine, and some stretching.

7. **Audience Connection:**
- How do you engage with the crowd?
- Memorable fan interactions?

8. **Future Plans:**
- Goals with the band?
- Your vision for the band's future?
My vision is for us to continue investing in our production to continue raising the bar.

1. **Musical Journey:**
My musical journey began when I was about 10 years old. My first two albums were the soundtracks to Space Jam and Men In Black, lol. Still some great jams there, but the true love started with my third album: Aerosmith’s Get A Grip. I fell in love with rock and roll and never looked back. I started playing drums shortly after that and immediately began looking for other musicians to jam with.
After learning the drum set, I expanded my reach to playing any and all percussion. Learning mallet instruments helped me to self-teach myself how to play piano, which I refined properly while getting my music degree in college. It’s awesome and so rewarding to be able to share my whole life’s worth of musical experience with Silver Bullets.

2. **Band Experience:**
Matt, Hessler and I began playing together in 2000. The three of us and Zack all went to high school together, and we stayed close as we played in various bands together. One day in 2012, the four of us were in my studio recording a project we were all involved in. Somehow we got to talking about being in a cover band, and just like that we agreed to start one.
Over the years we’ve had tons of memorable shows. My favorite has to be the 10th anniversary Uptown Alley show in 2022. We put two drum sets on stage and my dad played a few songs with us as an honorary Bullet. Then he and I played a duet drum solo. This was a lifelong goal of his that he always talked about since I began playing in 1998, and we finally made it happen in 2022.
I also have to give a bonus shout out to our gig at the Woodberry Forest high school formal dance. We went in thinking it was going to be the lamest gig ever, and it was an absolute rave from the beginning. Those kids were going wild like it was a Jonas Brothers concert. Kids were literally going through the roof! So wild and so much fun!

3. **Music Style:**
I always say I don’t have a favorite song to play, because it changes every time. It’s whatever gets the crowd the wildest. The more fun they have, the more fun I have. But my favorite songs to play purely from the drum parts are “Panama”, “Somebody Told Me”, and “Enter Sandman”.
I love that we play songs from every genre, and every decade. Our versatility is one of our greatest assets. But we’re a rock band at heart, and that’s always where my nature has been as a drummer. I love to hit the drums as hard as possible and bang my head. But it’s also important for me to keep a solid beat for the dance parties we play. It’s a fun balance of keeping it in the pocket, and rocking out full force. Every show is unique, and we always find a way to make it memorable and exciting.

4. **Collaboration:**
The five of us in this band are truly brothers. I’m honored to take the stage with these other four men, whose talents go beyond their incredible musical gifts. We pride ourselves in our show, being more than simply standing on stage and playing music. It’s a whole experience, with tons of prep work behind the scenes. Matt makes the light show and creates our setlists in Ableton Live. And I create our backing tracks and interlude pieces in my studio. We’re constantly working together to make it all flow seamlessly, and find ways to improve our show. Also, since I run a recording studio, I have the privilege to record each band member whenever we’re recording new covers for public release. That’s always a great time to dial in little details and gain extra insight into each member’s talents and musical nuances. That knowledge translates to our live show and makes us that much tighter.
A big key to our success on stage is being well prepared. When you’re well prepared and everything is second nature, you can focus your senses more on the other players and lock in tighter. It’s also less stressful and more fun, and you can embrace changes or any improv because you’re already so comfortable with the material. I feel like every year we level-up our skill and chemistry together.

5. **Memorable Moments:**
A standout moment for me is when we played NASCAR in the center of the Richmond track. We played on a stage right in the middle of the track in front of tens of thousands of people. They put us up on the jumbotron and everything. And we even got to take the band van on a lap around the track!

6. **Personal Style:**
It’s harder for drummers to have stand-out stage presence, but I certainly try. I just try to always go out and have fun, no matter how big or small the show is. We mainly play parties, and it’s part of the experience to smile, sing, dance (as well as I can while seated and playing), and bring as much energy as possible. Our energy projects to the crowd, so we have to always bring it.
Before every show, I like to read through the setlist one more time, to make sure I know about all of the breaks and guitar changes. Oftentimes I’ll do a few push-ups and some stretches. Then I usually crack open an energy drink to get a boost before we go on. Lastly, I try to clear my mind so I can just go have fun.

7. **Audience Connection:**
One downside of being in the back of the stage and behind the drum kit is that it’s harder to engage with the crowd. But it’s always fun to catch eyes with a crowd member and sing the lyrics to each other from across the way. I do like to stand up during pauses in the music to feel like I’m closer to everyone. I saw Metallica recently and Lars Ulrich would stand completely on top of his drum throne and floor tom… so that’s next for me to try. If you one day see me do that, please give me a slow clap or a stoic head nod of approval.

8. **Future Plans:**
I have so many goals for Silver Bullets, but the main thing is to just keep growing and improving. We’re always striving to improve our live show, elevate our performances, upgrade our gear, etc… No matter how much we achieve, there’s always room for improvement.
When it comes to the future of Silver Bullets, I just want to play ‘til the wheels fall off. We have so much fun playing and partying, I can’t imagine ever wanting to stop. I just want to keep performing and bringing good times to as many people as we can, for as long as we can.

1. **Musical Journey:**
- How did your love for music start?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been attracted to the stage. Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Queen (a few examples) were bands that molded me at an elementary age. Aerosmith Greatest hits and Spin Doctors were my first cassettes. Offspring’s Smash was my first compact disc.
My grandfather gifted my twin brother and I electric guitars when we were 8 years old. It’s been on since then.
- What instruments do you play?
Respectfully and tastefully, the 4 string bass. Tuned to drop C with a set of thick boy 110 strings to always bring the thunder. I love to pluck around on a six string or tap my fingers around on a set of keys. If it makes noise, I’ll make music with whatever it is.

2. **Band Experience:**
- How did you join the cover band?
One of the four founding fathers of Silver Bullets established 2012.
- Any favorite performance?

3. **Music Style:**
- Favorite wedding song or genre?
Couples that love ROCKNROLL. I adore them.

- How do you adapt songs for events?
Personally, having the self discipline to pick up my bass almost every single night to practice wedding songs is my sure fire way to ensure perfection on game day.

4. **Collaboration:**
- How do you work with other band members?
A little eye contact goes a long way. If I lock eyes with a Bullet on stage, we can speak without words. Being a team player goes a long way. Working together as a team and being willing to (embrace the suck) if you will, stages the scene for success.
- Key to successful musical collaboration?
The key to any successful musical collaboration is being prepared as an individual artist. If I’m 100% prepared and confident going into a musical session, any one of my mates can rely on me completely. If I’m weak, they’re weak. If everyone has this same mentality, then the margin for error is far less. Chemistry is very important when it comes to making music with others. If the chemistry, the vibe, isn’t there… move on.

5. **Memorable Moments:**
- Any standout events or feedback?
Being told that we fucking suck.
Being told that we fuck.

Anytime The Bullets create a music video… There is so much preparation involved that goes completely unseen by the general population. When I reflect back on the handful of music videos we’ve created together, I cannot help but be insanely proud of my mates and the amount of blood, sweat, time, energy, money, passion, etc that everyone contributed individually. A true team effort, every time.

6. **Personal Style:**
- Describe your stage presence.
Lost in the music.
- Any pre-show rituals?
Some stretching and breathing exercises are a must. A calm before the storm.

7. **Audience Connection:**
- How do you engage with the crowd?
- Memorable fan interactions?

8. **Future Plans:**
- Goals with the band?
The goal is to always be evolving as a production. Always progressing and never regressing. Always looking to take things to the next level.
- Your vision for the band's future?
The sky's the limit for Silver Bullets. Truly, because I am not a fan of flying and outer space is out of the question.

1. **Musical Journey:**
My journey into the world of music began when I was captivated by Eric Clapton's "Layla" playing on the radio. Soon after, I acquired a cassette of his 1982 release, "Timepieces: The Best Of Eric Clapton." I became so immersed in his music that I played the cassette relentlessly. My parents eventually got me headphones to plug into my dual cassette/CD player, providing relief for their ears while allowing me to delve even deeper into the world of music. Listening to music became more than just a hobby; it became a sanctuary. It offered me an escape from the chaos of my upbringing and transported me to a different realm entirely. Even at age 8, the second I realized I could create my own music and not just listen to it, my world completely changed for the better.

In sixth grade, I had another life changing experience with music during a sleepover at a friend's house. While playing outdoors, I took a bad fall, resulting in a head injury in which I still have a scar to this day. Despite this injury, I was adamant about staying the night, and after some persuasion, my parents reluctantly agreed. With outdoor activities now off-limits, my friend suggested we delve into the world of music, specifically the guitar in which he was taking lessons. He guided me through the basics, which ignited a fire within me that would shape my entire future. Soon after, I acquired my own instruments—a Samick acoustic followed by a Fender Squire Strat starter pack for electric playing. Since then, I've dedicated myself to mastering both acoustic and electric guitar and I am proficient in both lead and rhythm.

2. **Band Experience:**
- How did you join the cover band? Silver Bullets, founded in 2012, counts me as one of its founding members. The band emerged from a collective of local, regional, and national musicians who were friends and had previously played together in different bands. Seeking a fresh direction and a more stable lifestyle than the nomadic existence of touring, we decided to embark on a new musical journey together. Having attended high school together, we shared a strong bond. Over the years, we've accumulated a wealth of experience, performing hundreds of gigs across the country under the banner of Silver Bullets. Out of these hundreds of gigs, there are two that distinctively standout to me. The first was a performance for over 30,000 spectators at a spring NASCAR race in Richmond, VA. That concert was the first televised live concert to feature a view from Google Glass. Witnessing ourselves and the band on the jumbotron amidst a flurry of crews and cameras was surreal. It was a transformative experience, especially given the unparalleled access to the entire event and our first experience being around celebrities.
The second cherished gig was our set at a Tobacco Company's New Year's Eve bash. The atmosphere was electric, with partiers dancing atop tables in a packed venue where standing room was a luxury. The sheer energy of the party made it an unforgettable night.

3. **Music Style:**
My favorite wedding song to play live is Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey''. Although I really enjoy such bangers as “Mr. Brightside”, “Cake By The Ocean”, and “Pony”, It’s a beautiful song that is widely recognizable and stands in its own place as a slow dance song during our otherwise energetic live sets. It’s beautiful to watch people slowly dance with their significant others because many people do not get that opportunity other than being at a wedding. I absolutely love the fact that we can provide that memorable opportunity for people.. I enjoy mimicking the styles of the original artist and love to let my adaptations to the songs happen over time, changing what I play slightly in every performance.