In 2018, I landed my first professional drumming gig with Dayton's rock and roll oldies sensation, The Avalons. A mutual acquaintance in my hometown's community theatre introduced me to the business owner, and after one audition, I joined the band. We toured across the Midwest, performing at a variety of venues, including amusement parks, fairs/festivals, and private events.

As the drummer for The Avalons, I played an extensive repertoire of rock and roll oldies favorites, ranging from Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons to Sonny & Cher. In addition to playing music, the band also performed comedic skits that often involved crowd participation. To support these skits, I had to stay in sync with the singers' comedic timing, often adjusting the musical cues on the fly to keep up with the show's dynamic nature.

Playing with The Avalons was a unique and rewarding experience that taught me the importance of flexibility, communication, and adaptability as a musician.