John, born in Oklahoma City, began drumming at an early age in various school bands - marching, concert, and jazz band. He formed his first rock band at age 13. "I used to love playing along to my favorite records with the stereo cranked! But, the first time I actually played with a couple of friends who had guitars.I was seduced for life. By the age of 16, John was performing in bars, school musicals and at church functions. "I wasn't even old enough to be in the bars we were playing. During band breaks, the bar owners would make me stand outside the club." Primarily self-taught, John honed his skills with hours of practice and years of intense touring on the road. For eight years, John recorded and toured extensively with The Nixons (MCA Records). John and the band signed with MCA in 1994 and enjoyed success recording 4 major-label albums and video appearances on MTV ("Happy Song", "Sister"). The bands first album, FOMA, featured their Top 40 hit "Sister". In October 2003, after extensive auditions, John was selected to fill the drum seat for Seether. John's first studio venture with the band was to record the song "Broken" for Punisher: The Album. The single "Broken" ( featuring Amy Lee from Evanescence) was a smash success and sent the sales of Disclaimer II ( a repackaging of their first album) past the gold mark. In May of 2005, Seether released "Karma and Effect". This release was John's first full-length album with the band. From the success of the single "Remedy", Karma and Effect reached the number 8 position (Billboards Top 200) in its first week alone. In December 2006, John underwent major back surgery. John had sustained a ruptured disc from years of constant touring. After John's quick recovery, Seether began work on their album "Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces". Released in October of 2007, the albums first single "Fake It" reached number 1 at Alternative, Mainstream Rock and Active Rock charts in less than 10 weeks. and remained in the number 1 position for 13 consecutive weeks. In March 2008, John appeared in a feature, for the legendary, Modern Drummer magazine. John and Seether will be on tour well into 2009, supporting their latest album. " I love to create in the studio but, performing live, with my band, still makes me feel those feelings . I love being in the moment.and the music."
"ROCKIN' SOUTH AFRICA!"
