How Doug’s Drumming Journey Started

It all started when I attended a concert in 2003, Kansas City, MO. While camping out in the parking lot, there were a group of kids sitting around in a circle playing Djembe and Ashiko drums. This was the first time I witnessed a drum circle. I was in awe and I could not believe the beats I heard come forth from these drums. This drum circle inspired me to purchase my first djembe drum from a vendor at that show. I had no idea my life would change from that moment...

When I first started playing the djembe, my main purpose was to play and enhance my altered state of mind. To see what types of feelings I would experience while in that state. However, since then, the drum has taught me the numerous benefits one can get from drumming and I now like to teach and pass this knowledge to others.

While serving time in the Navy, I was located in Pennsylvania. In 2007, I wanted to learn how to re-head my drum. I got connected with my drum teacher that wasn’t far from where I lived. He then taught me the basics of re-heading a drum. From there, I volunteered my time in his shop as much as I could. I didn’t have much of a life outside of work and going to his shop really helped me during times of stress, or when I came home from deployments. I owe a lot to him for guiding me down this path, and am truly grateful for all that he has done for me. After my enlistments were up I decided to end my military career. From 2009 until now, I have been building drums off and on for family and friends.

I had a couple years where life happened and I was unable to pursue my interest in making drums. However, recently I have been able to start back up again. I have tried some new ideas such as swirl painting, tie dye skins, and different rope techniques. I am self-taught on making frame drums, which has been a huge spiritual turning point in my drum making journey.

With each build, I spend a significant amount of time meditating. It is something I thoroughly enjoy doing and gives me a sense of balance. It is an amazing feeling to sit down and play a drum I just made, knowing I am the one that gave it life. At the moment I am a stay-at-home dad to my two kids, and spend my off time working on Doug’s Drums. This in itself has become a challenge. I find it hard to find time to really work on my projects. But I have made significant progress overall this year (2020). I've made several drums, rattles, drum beaters, etc... I also started designing my own drum bags for both frame drums and djembes, as well as musical spoons. I've been able to network and build outstanding relationships with my production partners from different parts of the world. These global connections are allowing me to learn and get to know other cultures in a way I never was able to before.

I give 10% of my profits to non-profit organizations around the globe to help those in need. One of my life goals is to be able to do this full time. Each drum I build gets me closer to my dream. My overall vision is to witness more drum builders creating and spreading the love of drums. In doing so, each home can have the opportunity to experience the healing benefits of drumming. Being a husband and wife team with Morgan allows for my sacred tools to be used to heal her clients during sessions. I love that we can tie both of what we feel called to do, together.

-Doug