It was Christmas 2011.

I was 10 years old and had just started playing the drums over that last year. All I wanted was a drum set and begged my parents for one for months! I knew after starting to play the drums that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and getting a drum kit would help me achieve that.

I woke up on Christmas morning to find a beautiful, brand-new Pearl drum set in the basement all wrapped up. It was a dream come true. I finally had what I was missing in my life. This drum kit became the set I would play on for over 10 years, until last year when I finally upgraded to a brand new C&C kit that I now use with Robot Monster.

My Pearl kit is still playable but at this point wouldn’t get me through a tour without falling apart. That kit took me from practicing as a kid in my basement to getting professional touring and recording opportunities, and I owe it all to that one Christmas gift from my parents in 2011.

I hope this Christmas many more kids get musical instruments as gifts, as it can lead them to beautiful places in life. It did for me, and I’m very fortunate. Christmas is a magical time, and that Christmas has shaped the course of my life forever.