Musician Journey
Drumming Through the Marching Band Years — and Past Them
A high school marching band drumline kid finds out session drumming is an actual, sustainable career.
Diego's first "kit" was a set of overturned paint buckets in his family's garage in Fresno, California, at age nine — bought secondhand drumsticks and a metronome app were the entire budget.
Marching band snare line at thirteen taught him discipline he still uses in the studio today: nobody in a drumline gets to have an off day.
The Journey
9 to 26 — milestone by milestone
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9 age
The Bucket Kit
Drums (improvised)Overturned paint buckets, a metronome app, and a lot of neighbor complaints.
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13 age
Marching Band Snare Line
Snare DrumMade snare line as a freshman. Learned rudiments the hard way, in 100-degree August heat.
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19 age
First Paid Session
Drum KitGot called in last-minute to replace a no-show session drummer. Nailed the take in two passes and got a callback.
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26 age
In-Demand Session Player
Drum KitNow a working session drummer across three studios in Nashville, with a growing list of credits.