In 1973 I remember hearing Elton John’s
"Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting" on the radio and pounding to the
beat with knitting needles on the recliner. I was 4 years old, and drumming
came natural to me. That was my first memory of not just falling in love
with drums but music itself, and it’s had me wrapped around its finger ever
since. From then on it was all pots 'n pans 'n buckets 'n lids. My aunts
and uncles were in steady bands and I'd watch their rehearsals, studying
everything. At age 12, I got my first drum kit after years of bothering and
playing others people's. Over the years I’ve played drums in bands ranging
in everything from country to rock to ministry while meeting new people,
forming new friendships and playing just to play. I was a first chair member
of my school's drum section, wrote and performed marching cadences, drum
duets/solos for Spring Week, and voted Most Talented by the class of '88. I
studied broadcasting in Minneapolis for a year and landed my first radio gig
at KEMB in Emmetsburg, IA. I’ve also worked radio in Worthington (KWOA),
Albert Lea (KCPI/KATE), and presently in Mankato at 94.1 KXLP since 1997. You can
find me on the air from noon to 6pm doing my thing or sometimes filling in on our sister-station
93.1 - New Country Minnesota 93 under the moniker "Pistol Pete". I’m also a 6-time broadcast
award winner for writing/producing commercials and promos. I'm also married
to my beautiful wife, Samantha, and we have 3 fantastic kids, 3 shedding
cats, 2 cars, a house outside of Mankato, great neighbors, and a good life.
So now that you stopped by here, I hope to see you somewhere out there! Rock
onward and bound, and we'll see ya around!! -- Jay
