First Audition is a music workshop designed for student drummers to perform and interact with working Austin musicians.   It also serves as the drum studio's recital platform.   The students select songs they want to "audition" and practice their parts prior to attending.    There is no prior rehearsal or practice with the band.  This is a totally LIVE experience and the first time most of these students have ever played with other musicians in a band.

The workshop allows the students to experience the drummer's role in a band, learn song structures and arrangements, perform well, and "pass" their audition.   The students get hands on work with the band and learn from each other.  

Photos and video recordings are taken to add to the excitement.   First Audition 2007 is endorsed by Vic Firth Drumsticks.

Austin Musicians attending this year's  First Audition:

• Don Brewer, Lead Guitar\Vocals   -  Guitar virtuoso Don Brewer will be leading the band.  His extraordinary guitar and vocal work currently fuels The Band Haywire, Train Wreck, and Brewer Nation.  He is senior recording engineer at Cowpatty Studios in Lockhart.  "Donny" is one of the most in demand guitarists in Austin!

•  Paul Minchew, Bass Guitar\Vocals - A veteran of the Austin music scene, bassist Paul Minchew works with the best bands in town including Zeke & The Comets, Bigfoot Yancy, the Nash Hernandez Orchestra, and the popular Beamer's band.  Paul has a B.A. from the University of Texas School of Music where he performed with the Longhorn Marching Band, UT Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Orchestra.

•  Paul Klemme, Keyboards\Vocals - As one of Austin's most seasoned and versatile musicians, Paul Klemme has worked with Honey River, Moonstone, Pleaser, Tricky Business, Chain Reaction, Haywire, Tongue ’N’ Groove, Bent Timbre, The Austin Rockafellas, Band of Gold, and River City Soul. His discography includes an album on Teardrop Records with Austin’s own Street People.  Paul has toured the country with Rush Hour and opened for Badfinger, Tierra, Carl Carlton, and Little Joe y La Familia.

STUDENTS:  Your instructor will assign your session time and arrange for registration.   All equipment and materials will be provided.   This is a student only event as seating is limited.  Students invited to attend will be asked to perform two or more songs.  Students are not expected to cover every detail of the songs they choose to perform but they should have a good understanding of the song arrangement.   Students attending are highly encouraged to learn and perform an additional song they are not familiar with. 

Please come prepared to pass your "audition" and remember to have FUN!  

Students are encourage to submit songs they would like to play.   The following songs are under consideration for this year's performance with the band and are provided here for educational purposes.  

  Living After Midnight - Judas Priest

  Come Together - The Beatles

  La Bamba \ Twist & Shout medley - Richie Valens

  All Star - Smash Mouth

  Smells Like Teen Spirit -  Nirvana

  When I Come Around - Green Day

  Tube Snake Boogie - ZZ Top

  Cold Shot - Stevie Ray Vaughn

  Old Time Rock and Roll - Bob Segar

  Wipeout - The Safaries

  Suzi Q - Creedence Clearwater Revival

  All Right Now  - Free