Cross ‘Drummer in Working Band’ Off Bucket List
Bryan Cooper got a job as the drummer in a working band two weeks before his 50th birthday. It was No. 1 on his 'bucket list.'
I began playing drums around age 12. I took lessons for about three years and played in a few garage bands, and my church’s concert and marching bands. At 16 I moved and began playing drums, guitar, bass guitar, and even baritone horn in my new high school’s marching, jazz, concert, and ensemble bands.
After high school, I played in a few dead-end garage bands. I became a Volunteer Firefighter at age 20 and pretty much played for myself (cassettes with headphones). About 16 years ago I got involved with my local school district’s theater program, playing some orchestra and working with audio and lighting.
In March 2006, a few months before my 50th birthday, I ran into a couple of old high school band friends on the internet. I went to see their band play and had the opportunity to sit in for a few songs. I hung around all summer. At my friend’s 50th birthday party (2 weeks before my 50th birthday), I was told that the band’s drummer was moving out of the area, and that I was the new drummer. Happy Birthday to me!
I had a week to get ready for my first gig with them…I even had to go out and buy a new drum kit, more road-worthy than myvintage Ludwig kit in my practice studio.
It’s now been a little over 3 years. We’ve gone from 18 to 20 jobs per year to over 50. I’m engineering a CD of the band’s original music, and I handle our marketing and web presence. My number 1 “bucket list” item – to play in a working band – has been realized…after I turned 50.
Oh, I “retired” from the Fire Department as a Battalion Chief in October 2006, after 30 years on the job, so I could devote myself to the band. “Over the hill”? Even a roller coaster is no fun until you’ve gone “over the hill.”
Bryan Cooper,
South Jersey (NJ)
5 comments
Posted 12/07/09 at 11:27 am
Great story, I love to hear about others out there living the dream. Thanks for sharing your story Bryan.
Posted 12/07/09 at 10:36 pm
I play trumpet and some aux. percussion in the band “Friends” with Coop! He is doing a great job back there keeping us on beat as well as all the other stuff he does for the band! I am a few years younger and grew up watching my brothers and the DeAngelis boys play all those years. It has also been my dream to play with them. Now 2 years in it is well worth all the work and travel! Rock On!
Posted 12/10/09 at 10:04 am
Love the roller coaster metaphor!! I’ll be quoting that one Bryan. Great story.
Posted 12/10/09 at 10:13 pm
If you’re in the South Jersey/Philly area, check us out a FriendsClassicRock.com. Our usual lineup is a 4-piece rhythm section (I’m the youingest at 53), and a three piece horn line (all brothers – Mike J, above, is the youngest there)
Posted 07/12/10 at 7:28 pm
An update to the story…I no longer play with the band “Friends”. I’ve expanded into additonal areas of percussion and started cruising the Philadelphia “open-mic” circuit, sitting with various artists. I play percussion with “Crossfire” a local acoustic blues/rock trio, and will be performing in the orchestra of a local theater company in September 2010. I’m still working with some of my friends in “Friends” to complete their CD and working on some side and solo projects with their guitarists.
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