Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Ricks.
Hi Nathan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
To talk about how I got started, I’ll give you a brief timeline of how I got started and where I am currently. I picked up playing drums at the age of 2. Started playing in church at the age of 5. Started getting paid to perform with artists’ acts at the age of 10. Started learning multiple genres at the age of 12.
Started attending Berklee College of Music at the age of 19. Moved to LA to pursue mainstream touring at the age of 23. Fast forward to what I’ve been doing since then, I’ve played with multiple major artists, played historical venues, started traveling in & out of the state & country, have played on & made appearances on TV & Films, and overall started making a living off of this gift of mine.
#THANKYOUGOD4MYGIFT.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road is ever smooth and I honestly prefer it that way because I truly got to see what I’m made of when things get challenging.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a musician, a drummer to be specific. But I am also a Music Director • Music Producer • Music Arranger & Programmer and Playback Engineer. People mainly know me for my drumming ability.
To me what I am most proud of is overcoming my obstacles. it’s not easy to move cross country to pursue a dream that isn’t guaranteed, to be told no countless times, to be overlooked by a lot of the major opportunities, dealing with racism in the music industry. I can go on and on. But I am proud of myself for overcoming as well as remaining true to myself and not letting the essence of Hollywood change who I am.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I would say being in the music industry is taking a huge risk. You have to make a living in a space where the person handing you your paycheck (while underpaying you) doesn’t consider what you do as a real job.
I would consider myself a risk taker because knowing I was going to move to a place where it was highly competitive, trying to book my next gig, auditioning constantly, understanding that I would not get paid what I deserve, and knowing that everybody by my side isn’t on my side, I still agreed to do this because I love what I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natrix_drums/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatrixDrums/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Natrix_Drums
