Scroll through the player below my recordings in numerous genres. Have a listen to the MP3s featured on the player of this site ... there I am playing drums on everything from rock to country to ambient Isaac Hayes, Johnny Depp, Jason D Williams, Rock City Angels, Axl Rose, Wynonna, Backflash, Elam McKnight & the West Levee Phantoms, Loaded Goat, Jimmy Page, Tanya Tucker, James Burton, Rob & the Rage, Billy Ray Cirrus, Gary Busey, Beale Street Blues Band, Jimmy Wolf, Mojo Buford, Son of Slam, Kevin Bacon, ... these are a few of the artists I have drummed behind in my musical past ... references available upon request In the past I have toured with some major names in the biz as well as played years of bar gigs ... nothing is too small or big. In thirty years at the average of 2500 miles a week (conservative) plus long distance international dates, I figure I easily traveled over 6 million miles ... that's just a quick guess. Please drop me a line or call if you interested in my drumming services ! nos4ra267@yahoo.com On the road with Jason D WilliamsNOS4RA267@yahoo.com In Japan with the Rock City Angels Click here to visit RJ JUKES MUSIC MYSPACE PAGE !!! BIO
Born in Madrid, Spain, the son of a military man ... I spent my early days traveling the globe, soaking up new and old musical influences from around the world A drummer/percussionist with years in the business, I have lived and worked in Memphis, New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and London, etc ... I began at the age of five, and by my sixteenth birthday was playing professional stages for a good weekly living.
(with my first real kit - age 14)
After high school I continued continued my studies under the direction of world renown composer Dr. Jared Spears, (Arkansas State University) with whom I studied classical percussion. In 1985 I moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the Musicians Institute / PIT, resuming my musical training under the direction of veteran rock bassist, Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge, Rod Stewart) . After four months of playing the LA scene, I signed a 6.5 million dollar recording contract with Geffen Records, as a member of the blues/rock band Rock City Angels.The Rock City Angels also included, in their ranks a guitarist ... a then up and coming actor by the name of Johnny Depp.(Rock City Angel Depp with Nick Cage in 1987)
During my seven year run with the Rock City Angels, I resided between Memphis an LosAngeles touring/recording internationally ... and while in Memphis drummed behind many local club acts: Rob and the Rage, The Beale Street Blues Band, The Two Man Jazz Trio, Fatman & the Man's Maniacs, Ultrapush, Son of Slam, Loaded Goat,and Jimmy Wolfe's Blues band to name a few. At this time as well, I with the boys in RCA toured with several major rock acts including: Jimmy Page, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and The Georgia Satellites as well has wrote and worked with producer greats Tom Dowd, Paul Rothchild, and Jim Dickinson. Although RCA disbanded in 1991, the band continues to put out albums every few years has late has 2011 .
RCA in Japan (1990) With my Sonors in KIVA recording Studio - 1987
Around 1990 I settled in Memphis, where I continued to work sessions, play the nightclubs and casinos, and study synclavier at the University of Memphis. Early in 1992 I took a spot as the drummer for Memphis boogie-woogie painoman, Jason D Williams. With Jason D ... I recorded three CDs as well as appreared with Jason on such shows as MTV's News at Night, MTV The Week in Rock, Pat Sajak Show, LIVE! on ABC, Regis and Kathie Lee Show, VH1, VH1's This is Country, Crook & Chase, Nashville Now, Music City Tonight, Entertainment Tonight ... that's just to name a few.(with Jason D somewhere on the road)
During this time a few particular gigs stand out amongst many others. Playing in the East room of the Whitehouse for President Bill Clinton on Hillary's birthday on October 26th. A Halloween/Birthday party. During various tours this group also worked as the support act for: ZZ Top, WAR, Little Feat, Pam Tillis, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Hank Williams Jr, The Neville Brothers, The Pointer Sisters, Rare Earth, etc I left Jason D's band in 2004 and moved to the Ozark Mountains, but still keep an apartment in Memphis.There I do occasional session/club work as well as travels in and out of Memphis International for roadwork. Click here to visit RJ JUKES MUSIC MYSPACE PAGE !!! Beggars Banquet,as well as many countless independent projects !
Well I figure I better spout out some technical jargon so it appears that I really do work for a living with my on two hands and the tools of my trade. Besides that somebody might wanna know what size my ball bearings are in my kick pedal. You gotta have the right tools to get the right results, so with that in mind here's a few words about some of the fav skins I have played over the years. The current drum set I use for the majority of my work is a brand new set of Gretsch Renown 5 star maples. Backstage before curtain with the new kit
The Gretsch Renown Maple series was designed for the touring drummer, with maple shells, Die-Cast hoops and a host of additional professional features. For 2006, the Gretsch Renown Maple series has been upgraded with new finishes, additional sizes, and multiple configurations, making the Renown Maple the ideal performance kit for today's player Features Sizes - 9x12 tom, 16x16 floor tom, 20x22 kick drum, 6.5x14 snare drum, single tom arm/clamp Shells - 6ply maple w/Silver Sealer Hoops: Die-Cast Heads: Evans Edges: 30-Degree I find these drums well rounded enough to suit any musical setting with alotta style and although I have triggered traps on occasion with the ROLAND D 4 or V drums ... with this Export kit I have not found any such electronic enhancement to be needed. They are great drums ... they just sound good naturally like drums should ! I pick up most of my kits at THE MEMPHIS DRUM SHOP. If ya make it through there ask for drummer/salesman Jason Hatcher. That boy'll "do ya right" as we say down south. REFERENCES: Terrell Lee - My road manager - 10 years Jim Dickinson - producer/musician: Rolling Stones, Sleepy John Estes, Bob Dylan, Mojo Nixon, The Replacements, The Cramps
Rob Haynes - Rob and the Rage Paul Rothchild - producer: The Doors, Janis Joplin, The Outlaws Ken Adamany - manager: Cheap Trick Jimmy Marinos - drummer: The Romantics Brain Robertson - guitarist: Thin Lizzy, Motorhead James Burton - guitarist: Elvis Presley, The Nelsons, etc ... Tom Zutaut - A & R Geffen: Edie Brickell, Guns & Roses, Motley Crue, Metallica, Rock City Angels Gary Cornelius - drummer: Mickey Gilley Theater Branson
Charlie Chalmers - musician/engineer/producer Branson The Bee Gees, Al Green, etc ... Joe Hardy - engineer Ardent Studios Memphis: ZZ Top, Travis Tritt, REM, Pam Tillis, Steve Earle Al Embry - agent: Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Fats Domino. Jason D Williams Contact and additional information available upon request.
You can hear RINGO JUKES on the RCA site: www.myspace.com/rockcityangelsmusic In addition to drumming I also play piano and church organ
Outside of that I am endorsed by Vic firth sticks ... and one more thing ... no matter where I am, what I am, or why I am there ... I am always powered by good ole Wrigleys Gum I am available for tours, sessions, and club dates. TOURED: Japan, Europe, Canada, Mexico, United States
None too small ... none too big !
Sometimes it's the music that matters
RJ Jukes NOS4RA267@yahoo.com For some visual fun subscribe to my Youtube Channel !!! http://www.youtube.com/user/jukes333 There's much more than music there ! Please drop me a line or call if you interested in my drumming services ! NOS4RA267@yahoo.com or
Pic taken from the stage in Toyko Japan (1990) Drumming inthe Delta
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Film from the aspect of a touring musician.
It's not all glamor and glory. It's a hard job to maintain for years. It's not uncommon to spend 15 hours traveling for those 45 minutes of stage the audience sees .