My first public performance was when I played drums at age 10 with my brother Ron's rock 'n roll band at the town's annual block party. Ron had a set band, but things weren't working out with his drummer, so he asked me to fill in. While I had been listening to a lot of jazz and classical music, I was also an avid listener and admirer, along with the masses, of the popular music of the day (The Beatles, etc.).

I'll never forget the feel and experience of playing the drum groove of The Doobies' "Long Train Running" and other popular songs of the day in front of a large crowd of enthusiasts for the first time. That moment paved the path that led me to the many non-jazz recordings and performances I've since been a part of as a drummer and writer.

- Terry Silverlight