Snares

Brent Cates

Gastonia, NC

Besides playing snare drum, Brent is a talented singer/musician who performs as a solo act and with the Brent Cates Band throughout the Carolinas. He has toured nationally as the singer, guitarist and drummer and currently is promoting his new CD, “Wasted Words” which can be found at CD Baby.com, Amazon and on iTunes. Brent is in his second year with Carolina Thunder and also serves as percussion arranger/instructor and drill designer for the South Point High School Band from Belmont, North Carolina.

Chad Gardner

Fort Mill, SC

After attending East Gaston High School where he performed with their award winning drumline, Chad has continued his involvement in music and percussion as an instructor with the Indian Land HS Marching Band. Chad now performs with Carolina Thunder as a snare drummer, but is a versatile member who often plays tenors for the ensemble.

Dustin Newcombe

Denver, NC

Multitalented musician Dustin Newcombe is currently in his first performance year with Carolina Thunder.  He teaches and arranges for various high schools throughout North Carolina and sings with The James-Younger Gang.  He currently attends Western Carolina University and was on the Catamount Drumline from 2006 to 2008.

Joe Conigliaro

Charlotte, NC

Joe is a graduate of Penn State University where he was a member of the Nittany Lions “Blue Band” marching band. He is a former member, instructor, and director of the WGI finalist Penn State Indoor Drumline. Joe has also performed with DCI finalists 1999 Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps and the 2000 Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. Joe currently works in Charlotte as an actuarial consultant.

Josh Rikard

Charlotte, NC

Josh joins Carolina Thunder as a former member of the East Gaston High School Drumline as well as the North Carolina State University Drumline (2007-2009).  He currently attends the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a percussion enthusiast. 

Seth Estes

Denver, NC

Seth is currently a Senior at East Lincoln High School where he performed with the Mustang Band (Showband of the Carolinas) for four years.  He currently plays snare drum with Carolina Thunder and made an instant impact this season as talented, well-rounded rookie.

Rock Hill, NC

As a performance drum extraordinaire, DeVonte comes to Carolina Thunder from South Pointe High School, South Carolina where he marched for four years with the mighty Band of Thunder.  He also performed with the Stallion indoor 2007-2008 percussion ensemble.

Rock Hill, NC

Bio coming soon...

Tenors

Rich Lambert

Fort Mill, SC

Rich is in his second season with Carolina Thunder and is a graduate of University of Florida where he was a member of the “Fightin’ Gator Drumline”. He also has toured with two major DCI corps; the 1990 Florida Wave drum and Bugle Corps of Miami, Florida and the DCI finalist 1994 Colts Drum & Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa. Rich currently works as an IT Consultant and has his private pilot’s license.  

James Taylor

Fort Mill, SC

A long time drummer, Jimmy has toured and performed professionally with various bands and is a former tenor drummer for the University of Central Florida “Marching Knights” Band. Jimmy is in his second year with Carolina Thunder and his lovely wife Nicole (a former member of CT), are proud parents of five-year-old twins (future members of CT). 

Michael Skellett

Rock Hill, SC

Michael is a graduate of Winthrop University and holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Masters of Percussion Performance. He is currently in his 6th year as Director of Percussion at Rock Hill High School and is an active performer, private teacher, arranger, and clinician in North and South Carolina. He is a member of the South Carolina Band Directors Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and is the Communications officer for the SC Percussive Arts Society. Michael is also a member of the Vic Firth Educational Team and a Dynasty Percussion Artist. 

Cody Barnes

Denver, SC

Cody is currently a Senior at East Lincoln High School where he performed with the Mustang Band (Showband of the Carolinas) for four years.  He currently plays tenors with Carolina Thunder and is a true crowd-pleaser.  

Basses

Nathan Walker

Denver, NC

Bio coming soon...

Jenny Catoe

Fort Mill, SC

Jenny Catoe lives in Fort Mill with her husband Steven. She loves animals and works for Webster Veterinary Supply in sales. Her drumming experience includes: playing bass drum for John Overton High School in Nashville, TN for marching band and indoor drumline. The winter drumline placed 3rd in the 1995 WGI championships. She graduated from Rock Hill High School and played Bass and Snare with their drumline. Jenny was excited at the chance to join Carolina Thunder and play bass drum again!

Michael Penley

Gastonia, NC

Michael is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Music Industry Studies with a minor and concentration in Recording. He was a member of the ASU Marching Mountaineers and is a two year vet of the Carolina Thunder bass drum line. Michael is currently an elementary TA at Bessemer City Central and also works as the percussion instructor with the Independence High School Band.

Tim Fuel

Mt Holly, NC

A second year veteran with Carolina Thunder, Tim is a graduate of East Gaston High School in Mt. Holly, NC and is working to continue his education and musical endeavours. Tim was also a member of the 2008 WGI World-Class percussion ensemble, Constitution of Raleigh, North Carolina. Currently, he serves as the Director of Percussion with Ashbrook High School Band in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Patrick Hill

Mt. Holly, NC

Bio coming soon...

Trey Thomas

Charlotte, NC

Trey graduated from Independece High school where he performed on the drumline all four years and was a leader for three. He currently attends York Technical College where he plans to obtain an Associates in Computer Engineering and Technology. After graduating from York Tech, Trey will be attending Atlanta Institute of Music to jump-start his career as a Musician in the drum and recording program.

Cymbals

Ashley Hogon Floyd

Charlotte, NC

Ashley is a graduate of Clemson University where she was the cymbal captain in the Clemson University Drumline; she also performed with other various percussion ensembles while at Clemson. After graduating with a BS in Animal Science, she moved to Charlotte, NC and currently works for Webster Veterinary Supply. She has also instructed percussion for various marching and indoor ensembles throughout the Carolinas.

Ashley enjoys water sports, going to the gym, and spending time with her husband, Bryan, and furry children: Harley (dog), Morgan (rabbit), and Josie & Baxter (cats).

Jordan McDowell

Charlotte, NC

Bio coming soon...

Tim Flemming

Charlotte, NC

Bio coming soon...

Cameron Moore

Charlotte, NC

Cam is a laid back guy. He attended Elon University where he marched in “The Fire of the Carolinas” Marching Band for three years. When he isn't crashing cymbals he enjoys finding new bands on the internet, breaking Rock Band kick pedals, and watching movies. Cam is on pace to see nearly 50 movies, in theaters, this year.  

Chris Smith

Denver, NC

Chris is currently a Junior at East Lincoln High School where he has performed with the Mustang Band (Showband of the Carolinas) for three years.  He currently plays cymbals with Carolina Thunder and has been a great addition to the ensemble.