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INTRODUCTION

MY NAME: Dave Heim.

MY LOCATION: Chicago, Illinois. OK, actually from Des Plaines, a NW suburb of Chicago, but it's easier to say Chicago.

MY OCCUPATION: When not drumming I manage the IS Department for a big reinsurance company. Reinsurance means we insure other insurance companies. I'm also an avid photographer (Nikon, for those of you keeping scrore at home). And, of course, I'm an active drummer around Chicago.

MY BAND: Currently working with folk/Americana/Roots artist James Curley (http://www.myspace.com/jamesfcurley). I do concert band/symphonic band percussion with The American Wind Band. And I work with several band leaders in the area for private events.

MY WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/davefromchicago

MY FIRST INSPIRATION: Probably Ringo (or was it Bernard Purdie?). Also, although I didn't know it at the time, Hal Blaine. It turns out he played drums on just about every pop song I liked while I was growing up.

MY INSPIRING/FAVORITE DRUMMER: I like Hal Blaine, Don Brewer, Steve Gadd, Jeff Hamilton, Bermuda (the gets to play ALL styles!). I enjoyed Karen Carpenter's tasteful playing. But just about everyone I've ever listened to has inspired me in some way or another.

MY MUSIC STYLES: I like tham all, but I have a soft spot for Jazz, Rock, R&B, Soul, Funk, Pop, Classical.

MY SUPPORT/MENTOR: I studied with Bobby Christian in the 80s. He was amazing, always pushing me. My band directors & early drum teachers: Dr. Tom Fabish, Ed Ward, Tom Beranek and Randy Szostek.

MY STORY: I play all styles of music. I have performed with concert bands, symphonic bands, theater pit bands, horn bands, rock, R&B, jazz, and big bands in the area, doing private parties, country club gigs, corporate events, and public performances - playing original materials as well as covers.

Back in the day...
I worked for Ludwig Drum Company (the Musser division as well as the drum division on Damen Avenue in Chicago), for several years prior to their move to North Carolina in the early 80s. I enjoyed doing a little prototype road-testing while I was there in other official capacities!

In the early 80s I became a local endorser for Slingerland Drums and did drum clinics at area music stores until Slingerland was bought by Gibson and moved from the Chicago area.

I also taught drums privately and through Quinlan & Fabish Music Stores for several years.

I perform with Singer, songwriter James Curley, playing acoustic, folk, rock, and Americana originals.

Every once in a while I sub in on drums with the band ScribbleMonster (they play little kid rock & roll - good stuff - think Sesame Street on steroids). In 2006 we did a mini-tour to Washington DC and Baltimore, MD for a public concert and a broadcast at XM Radio studios. I'm proud to be associated with them. They make wonderful, creative music for kids. You should give them a listen.

I perform a couple times per year with the musical comedy group, The Bottle Band. We've had a few minutes of fame here and there with local radio, a feature spot on Chicago PBS station WTTW's "Wild Chicago", featured on "An American Moment" with James Earl Jones, a performance on "The Jenny Jones Show", and two appearances on "The Late Show with David Letterman".

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Edited by Dave_Heim (Fri Jul 18 2008 06:55 PM)

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