Photo by John Tuckness (rockmephoto.smugmug.com)

photo by Jill Meniketti

my mentor and all time favorite drummer Steve Smith

My Yamaha Absolute Hybrid Maple drums in Red Autumn finish, Gorgeous! (photo by Nick Szablewski)

photo by Keven Fedirko (www.kevenfedirko.com)

A hero of mine, and one of my favorite songwriters. Poor guy had the flu really bad that night.

A big hero while I was in school, I love his music. I played trumpet in school as well as the drums.

photo by Kevin Graft

photo by Kevin Graft

My Yamaha Oak Customs (photo by Anya Svirskaya for www.nationalrockreview)

photo by Kat Owens

(photo by Jonny Gauer)

Rod is a phenomenal drummer, a drummer’s drummer. I’ve admired him since I was young, he can play any style with ease. It‘s been a pleasure getting to know him playing shows together.

Two of the best. Nicko, killer drummer with Iron Maiden and friend of Y&T's, was very supportive of me when I first joined the band. And of course, the incredible Vinnie, one of the greats of our time.

Checking out the Absolute Hybrid Maples, cool green sparkle (photo by Shinnosuke Natsume)

Y&T and Winger on our Japanese tour
(photo by Jill Meniketti)

(photo by Jill Meniketti)

(photo by Rolf Pfau)

Always a fun hang together (photo by Alex Kluft)

The always inspiring Simon Phillips. One of the most amazing, influential drummers of our time. He's played on so many of my favorite recordings and tours.

Awesome Yamaha Live Custom kit that I played on our Japanese tour (photo by Dave Meniketti)

Shinnosuke Natsume (Danny) Yamaha Drums Japan, myself & Greg Crane, Yamaha Drums Artist Rep.

This man sets the standard for groove and feel in the studio, John JR Robinson, The Most Recorded Drummer In History! He's quite the hang too, and he shares my love for the Grey Goose.

My former band mates and good friends Kevin Russell, Brad Russell & I, sitting in with Gary Hoey. What a blast! (photo by Jonelle Russell)

My buddies & Y&T crewmen, Tom Size, Nick Tarkowski, myself and Mark White, right before we got taken out by that wave while our backs were turned.

The man with the big heart and the big groove. he gets all the big gigs, Abe Laboriel Jr. (photo by Alex Kluft)

One of the best musicians of our time, he's on so many of my favorite hits, his guitar playing and singing inspire me to always play with passion, Steve Lukather (Toto, session great)

What an honor to meet the Legend himself. one of the pioneers of fusion drumming, Billy Cobham. This man changed the way drums were played in music and influenced all of us who've followed.

(photo by Steven Kain)

One of my absolute favorite bass players to play with, we've done a lot of gigs together over the years.

Hanging at a festival in Kansas City with my buddy and great guitarist Howie Simon (Nelson, Alcatrazz) and the Nelson brothers Matthew & Gunner

At BB Kings NY photo by Jill Meniketti

Solid kick-ass drummer and really good guy Wild Mick Brown

with legendary drummer, and fellow Yamaha Artist, from one of my favorite bands, Phil Ehart (Kansas)

I first met Todd in '99 when SoulMotor played with Styx, Hearing the influence of Steve Smith in his playing immediately caught my attention. What a great career he's having, he's become one of today's monster players, and he's a fun hang.

Killer drummer and friend Paul Bostaph

photo by Mark White

Hangin' backstage with one of my favorite drummers and one of the most bad ass players on the planet, Dennis Chambers

With legendary drummer Jonathan Moffett (The Jacksons, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Elton John, he gets all the gigs). Jonathan, a great person, helped me quite a bit early in my career.

photo by Kat Owens

Jeff Keith, Tesla

With Stef Burns, formerly of Y&T, now one of the biggest rockstars on the planet with Vasco Rossi and Huey Lewis. I was very fortunate to have played gigs and sessions with Steph when I was younger, I learned a lot from him.

Being lectured by Vinnie Colaiuta, one of the best musicians on the planet and one of my all time favorite drummers, he never ceases to amaze me.

Phil and John on Eddy Trunks radio show

my ad for drumart.com (photo by Dave Meniketti)

photo by Kevin Graft

with my great friends and Y&T family members Chrys Roberts (tech L) & Tom Size (sound man R)

photo by Elini Ross

Zoetermeer, Netherlands '06

Makin' friends

with the amazing Terry Bozzio, a huge inspiration on drums.

My rhythm partner, buddy, band mate and favorite bass player, Brad Lang

Sorry for the poor quality. I love this picture, from one of my early tours with Y&T.

A great time crossing the English Channel with my buddies

photo by Kevin Graft

with friend, band leader and one of my all time favorite sax players Marc Russo (R Doobie Brothers) and from my favorite band Journey, Jonathan Cain, this guy can write the songs.

L to R, Dragomir Herendic, Stu Hamm and Damjan Pejcinoski at the Ziua Chitarelor 3 Guitar Festival in Bucharest, Romania. It was an honor to back up all the great guitar players with Stu Hamm, these two guys tore it up.