Album Notes

"T.R. McKotch is a rare kind of musician who can both play and teach very well. His ability to connect to beginner drummers, both by teaching and through empowering them are traits that will help his students long after they leave his experiences . TR is someone who truly loves people and wants to see them progress." -Jim Donovan (Rusted Root)

"T.R. is fantastic. A true gem for our area." -Steve Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs)

"TR's hand drumming workshop is made possible through the Artist-In-Residence program. He brings a wealth of knowledge of drumming skills to my fourth grade students at Ring School. The kids really enjoy this workshop and TR makes it fail-proof; a 100% success rate! His interaction with the students is high-quality, positive, and professional while still keeping at a level that the kids respond well to. His advance work with the select group provides the students with a skill and experiencethat most would never have gained. They truly admire and respect him. It is a highlight of their fourth grade year!" -LouAnn Dobmeier (C.C. Ring School Music Teacher)

T.R. McKotch is best known for his work with the Steve Johnson Band and the GAHU Drum Ensemble, along with Vocalist/Percussionist Rhonda Harp.

In addition to the GAHU Drum Ensemble, T.R. has been engaged in his usual panoply of musical projects:

Most recently, T.R. has joined fellow musicians in Last Stop Willoughby featuring Steve Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs), Jeff Erickson (10,000 Maniacs), Rhonda Harp (GAHU Drum Ensemble) and John Merino.

He has released T.R. McKotch Hand Drum Instructional Vol.1 CD which features an array of West African arrangements and GAHU Drum Ensemble Live CD.

In 2003 T.R. performed with Rusted Root's Jim Donovan as a supporting member of Jim Donovan & The Blue Heron Drummers at the 2003 Great Blue Heron Music Festival in Sherman, New York.

In 1998 T.R. moved to New York City to join the progressive rock band TriPod, featuring bassist Clint Bahr and "Master-of-the-Reeds" Keith Gurland.

T.R. is available to conduct hand drum workshops at music festivals, schools, churches, corporate events, and private parties.