The Joyful Drummer

I've lived in Las Vegas going on six years. Before that I spent 20 years in Bakersfield, California, working as a director of development, grant writer, and fundraiser for nonprofits. I moved out west in 2001 from Green Bay, Wisconsin, so yes, I'm a diehard Cheesehead. But I have to admit I've fallen hard for the Vegas Golden Knights.

I used to come out every year to South Point during the NFR horse shows, selling custom jewelry I make to the cowboys and cowgirls. Eventually, single and living alone in California, I realized I wasn't enjoying it anymore. I moved to Vegas and it's been the perfect fit.

I've been a professional grant writer for 49 years, with clients all over the country. Since coming to Vegas I've gone semi-retired, which lets me be selective. Right now I'm working with local arts organizations, independent artists, and groups dealing with homelessness in our city.

I tell artists all the time, even if it's your passion, it's a business. Being a nonprofit doesn't mean you don't make money. You have to run it professionally to keep the doors open. My job is to make sure these groups get the funding they need so they can focus on helping people.

I've been playing drums for 59 years, since third or fourth grade, and I never stopped. Early on I spent two years on the road playing six nights a week as a lounge lizard in Holiday Inns and Ramada Inns. I figured out I didn't want that life forever. Today I'm a freelance, on-call drummer here in Vegas.

I don't play regular bars anymore. Local bands call me last minute when their drummer gets sick. I do country club jobs and private parties. I throw the tuxedo on and go. I get five or six of those calls a month and it's fantastic. I call myself the joyful drummer because I love every minute of it.

Siena Trattoria on West Sahara is my favorite, and it's right near me. Giancarlo is the owner and he does a great job. They have live bands four nights a week, they support good musicians, and the Italian food is the best. I hold a lot of my business meetings there.

Beyond Summerlin, I love the history of downtown and what they're doing to rebuild it. I support the Arts District and the Container Park. As locals, we don't go to the Strip unless a band like Chicago is in town. The real heart of the city is in these local pockets.

That we learn to work together and get along. I was a voting supervisor at the polls for 20 years, so I have to stay out of politics, and I do. I'm just tired of the me-against-you attitude. I wish we could sit down at the table, leave politics out of it, and put our energy into making things better for children, the elderly, and people who have less.

I'm very fond of an organization called the Everybody Sings Project. It's led by JJ Midnight, who goes into local schools to promote music and arts education through the legacy of Freddie Mercury and Queen. We have two celebration concerts at the Hard Rock Cafe on September 5th. It's a beautiful project that keeps music alive for the next generation, and I hope everyone checks it out.