Snares

Brent Cates

Gastonia, NC

Brent is a freelance drummer, guitarist and a singer who performs as a solo act regularly in the surrounding Charlotte area. He also toured nationally as the singer and drummer with the band Two Step.  Brent currently serves as the percussion instructor with the South Point High School Band in 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.

Kristian Kelly

Pineville, NC

Kristian graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi where he was a member of the Golden Eagles Marching Band.  He was also a member of WGI Eminence Indoor Percussion Ensemble from 2003-2005.  Kristian currently works as a Youth Director and is the percussion instructor with the Nations Ford High School Band in Ft. Mill, South Carolina. 

Nick Nichols

Belmont, NC

Nick (or Romeo) to late-night fans of WNKS/WKQC radio in Charlotte, graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Broadcasting.  After working as an instructor and arranger with the North Lincoln High School Band for several seasons, Nick has decided to return to school to pursue his degree in Music Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. 

Jason Smith

Jamestown, NC

In “real-life,” Jason works as a Human Resources Manager, but has been an avid percussionist for years and was a marching member with the 1996 Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps.  Since then, Jason has been an instructor and arranger for several high school marching bands and percussion ensembles; most recently at Northwest Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

Brad Zwergel

Charlotte, NC

Brad is originally from Madison, Wisconsin where he was a member of the Madison Junior Scouts and then with the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps when the corps captured the 1988 Drum Corps International World Championships title.  Brad has also toured nationally and recorded with his Madison-based rock band. 

Tenors

Rich Lambert

Fort Mill, SC

Rich is a graduate of University of Florida where he was a member of the marching band.  He also has toured with two major DCI corps; the 1990 Florida Wave of Miami, Florida and the 1994 Colts Drum & Bugle Corps from Dubuque, Iowa.  Rich currently works as an IT Consultant and has his private pilot’s license. 

Casey Nelson

Rock Hill, SC

Casey currently attends Winthrop University as a music major where he participates in the percussion ensemble and the african drum ensemble. Early in 2008, he toured with Carolina Force Indoor Percussion Ensemble as a tenor player and is currently instructing at South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  

James Taylor

Fort Mill, SC

Jimmy owns and operates a shower door business in the Charlotte area.  A long time drummer, Jimmy has toured and performed with various bands and is a former tenor drummer for the University of Central Florida.  Jimmy and his lovely wife Nicole (also a member of CT) are proud parents of four-year-old twins.   

Basses

Christyl Barber

Mount Holly, NC

Christyl graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in music education and is an Elementary Music Teacher in Lincoln County. She is also an active arranger and front ensemble caption head for the North Lincoln High School Band of Knights in Lincolnton, North Carolina.

Joe Brege

Denver, NC

Joe has taught and arranged for numerous high school drum line programs including; East Gaston High School, East Lincoln High School and Forestview High School. He has marched with DCA Corps Carolina Gold as well as Winter Guard International independent world-class percussion ensemble, Constitution. 

Michael Penley

Gastonia, NC

Michael graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelors of science degree in Music Industry Studies with a minor and concentration in Recording.  Michael is currently an elementary TA at Bessemer City Central and also works as the percussion instructor with the Independence High School Band. 

Michael Jordan

Lincolnton, NC

Michael is currently enrolled in a NASCAR approved automotive school and works part-time as a drum line instructor with East Lincoln High School.  

Raul Martinez

Charlotte, NC

Raul works as a productions director with Charlotte-based Focal Point Productions.  He is a former member of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats percussion group, The Rhythm Cats. 

Cymbals

Nicole Taylor

Fort Mill, SC

Nicole works as a Dermatology Scheduler, but her full-time job is being a mommy to four-year-old twins.  She has been a musician in the past, but picked up the cymbals for the first time in August and is now a cymbal captain with Carolina Thunder.  Nicole is married to CT tenor drummer, Jimmy. 

Tim Fuel

Mt Holly, NC

Tim is a graduate of East Gaston High School in Mt. Holly, NC and is looking to continue his education and musical endeavors.  Tim was a member of the 2008 WGI world-class percussion ensemble, Constitution of Raleigh, North Carolina.  Currently, Tim serves as the Director of Percussion at Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, North Carolina.