Pocono Talk Sits Down With John Donovan the Party Percussionist

POCONO TALK
John thanks so much for taking time away from your busy schedule for an interview, we really appreciate it.

JOHN
Thank you Andrea! It’s a pleasure!

POCONO TALK
So John, you’re a Party Percussionist, a title in itself that just sounds exciting, can you explain a little what exactly being a Party Percussionist involves?

JOHN
My Job is very exciting and a lot of work, both on the dance floor and off. I perform along with the DJ, mixing into whatever music the DJ is playing, adding my own entertaining personality. As an entertainment add-on to any existing DJ package, I combine DJ entertainment with the live band vibe, and it’s unique. While it’s a concept that has been around since 1982, with its roots on Long Island, I was blessed to have by accident stumbled into the DJ market in late 2007, and the rest is history. During the first six months of our stay in New York, I’m blessed I was able to work very steadily as a drum set artist in community and regional theatres doing musicals under gifted music directors, however we were barely making it by week to week, even while having private students to augment my income. The fact that I read sheet music like a machine helped me gain a reputation rapidly in the theatre market. If I would have not broken into the private market, I’m extremely confident I would have made it to Broadway. Make no mistake, I have no regrets, as I love helping families celebrate their special day, and I love the attention being a lead entertainer, especially considering that way that I’m doing it is historical in the percussion industry. My service creates a unique dance vibe for the guests that they will never forget. The excitement is contagious!

POCONO TALK
You grew up in the Poconos, moved to New York, and are now back in the Poconos again, what do you like most about living in the Poconos that made you want to return?

JOHN
Thank you for asking that question. Living on Long Island for 3.5 years was a professional blessing. It was a real test of sink or swim for me because of the high cost of living. The main reason for moving out there was to put my wife Lauren through college so she could earn her degree in music education. A super benefit was knowing that the music business market in New York is very strong, and finding work would be a breeze with my advanced skill level. Little did I know that this experience would forever change the entire way I looked at my career and it’s place in the music business. We moved out there with our son Evan at the time being one year old, and only about 2 grand in cash, if that. I had faith I could make it work, and my drum corps work ethic won’t allow me to quit anything. During 2010, my out of state interest started growing, and it was time to expand.  At this point I knew we could move back to the Poconos, and I could commute to developed private event markets, serving a much larger geographical area, and in theory someday buy a house. We have a legitimate shot at the American dream now. The price of a house on Long Island seems like nearly four times the price of the Poconos. I was at the top of my game getting a ton of recognition out there; however we felt we were in a “rent trap,” with it being impossible to ever purchase a home on Long Island. On top of that, I was becoming addicted to working to the point where I knew that my wife felt neglected, and since she is the love of my life, she and our son needed a better situation. I was privileged to meet many internationally known name brand artists, and I’m pretty sure I only met 2 that owned their own home. 2. Everyone else was renting, and it was a just a matter of how much rent. However, the main reason we moved back was that my wife and I didn’t like how we perceived that Long Island families put money far ahead of family. That’s just not how we were raised, and it’s not how our son will be raised. I honestly think I was becoming greedy, and I didn’t like what I was seeing in the mirror – I was addicted to money, and my life wasn’t balanced. The worst part about being back is that the driving is terrible, but I knew that would happen. It’s mathematically the best thing for us. Anytime I have an event to service within an hour drive, it’s a miracle.

 

POCONO TALK
As far as accomplishments go, your Bio shows you have a credible list of celebrities and bands you’ve worked with, as well as being a Featured Entertainer at the two largest DJ Expos in the world: The DJ Times Expo in Atlantic City and The Mobile Beat Expo in Las Vegas. You were also recently featured in the March 2012 issue of DJ Times magazine.  Even though you’re a veteran at what you do, do you still ever get nervous at bigger gigs or even smaller more intimate gigs?

JOHN
Good question. I had a true test of this last month when I played with 311 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in front of 16,000 guests. The fan party the night before at the Hard Rock involved entertaining 2,900 guests. The largest professional event I did to date prior to that were several weddings at the Huntington Hilton on Long Island in which I’m pretty sure from what I remember from bridal magazine research is the largest private event venue on Long Island with the capacity of 1,000 plus guests in the grand ballroom. So was I nervous performing in the ultimate dream gig I wanted since I was in my late teens? A drumline with 311? Not at all. Did I wonder if I might crack in front of 16,000 guests? That’s only human and I did indeed wonder, however, I was born to perform. I found out many years ago, that I perform much better under pressure from larger crowds. If I’m ever fortunate enough to experience performing in front of a 90,000 plus guest event, I know I’ll knock that performance out of the park. If by some miracle I get discovered by the right buyer and end up on a major tour, I know each performance will be better then the next. I’m a performance perfectionist, and while some people may misconstrue my confidence for arrogance, I know I’ll get the job done, and I don’t see anything wrong with that. When drum corps training infects you at a young age, loosing is not an option.

POCONO TALK
Another accolade you have is being a DCI World Champion, what exactly is a DCI World Champion?

JOHN
Ahhhh… the one credential that will be on my tombstone. DCI stands for Drum Corps International. DCI is the highest level of competition in the academic world that a rudimental “corps style” drummer/percussionist can participate in. I was fortunate in my third year of drum corps in 1996 to march with Pioneer out of Wisconsin, and our percussion program earned the Division II world percussion title. DCI is the Olympics of drumming. DCI is basically an advanced form of marching band but with no woodwinds and more brass instruments.

POCONO TALK
The Poconos is known as a destination for Weddings, and it seems like having you, THE Party Percussionist, at a wedding would definitely make it that much more memorable.  If a couple is thinking of booking a DJ, would they contact you before they booked or do you work with whatever DJ they choose?

JOHN
Thank you. An interested engaged couple can feel free to contact me as soon as they are ready to start planning their special day. I am connected to a lot of DJ companies, as well as tons of other vendors at all budget and performance levels, so I can help the couple choose what is best for them. A party by definition is an entertainment driven event, and the couple will get exactly what they pay for. If they already have a DJ company, I am prepared to show up on the job unrehearsed, and everyone will think I have been working with the DJ company for years. Serving 500 plus private events, with literally hundreds of DJS, has prepared me to offer the highest level of lead percussion entertainment service possible.

 

POCONO TALK
You have a bunch of endorsements that back how great your work is, it seems like what you do definitely raises the energy level at any event, so what can someone expect when they book your service?

JOHN
Thank you. After a client signs an agreement with me and pays a 50 % deposit, they can anticipate the excitement of their special day. My goal is to show up before cocktail hour, so by the time the bride is shown the room, she will see I’m ready to work with the DJ company. I collect my balance, and when the reception starts, the rest of the night goes off without a hitch. I have a few set rules for myself. I don’t perform to first dances, honor dances, candle lightings, most slow songs and other various formalities. The bride and groom can expect their dance floor to be energized during dance sets because of the added energy that my intelligent percussive design, mixed in with the DJ brings to the party. They can also expect their family and friends to rave about the entertainment vibe, perhaps for weeks and even months after the wedding. I also offer cocktail hour upgrades and a luxury package for discerning clientele.  As far as my endorsements go, I’m proud to be on board with the finest percussion instrument manufactures in the world. I’m playing on the best gear in the world that suits my high level of academic skill. I exclusively use Mapex, Paiste, Vater and Slug products. I’m happy that these fine companies stand behind me as I’ve made history as the only full-time commercial free-lance multi-tenor player in the world.

 

POCONO TALK
Your job seems very flexible and it seems as if you could fit into a lot of rolls, for a lot of people, who all do your services extend to?

JOHN
I have the luxury to service brides, as well as DJ companies who represent the vast majority of my clients, Recording studios, Music producers, Talent agents, Night Clubs and quite frankly anyone possible who might like to use my Party Percussion entertainment service. I’m also looking to augment my service to live bands looking for a unique performance edge. Who knows what adventures lie ahead. As long as it’s beneficial for my family, I’m happy.

 

POCONO TALK
You have an event coming up  on Thursday April 26th, 2012 from 10pm-2am at Maritas Cantina in Stroudsburg, what can people expect to see at that performance?

JOHN
Ah yes, I’m looking forward to this, and hopefully you can make it out 🙂   I will be performing some very progressive dance music with DJ Hitz at Maritas this Thursday. While I’m sure there will be some top twenty dance music, there will be house, dubstep, and who knows 🙂 ?!?!?!?! I love progressive dance music.. it really brings my creativity to a whole new level.

 

POCONO TALK
How far does your service range extend?  Are you limited to just the Poconos and NEPA or do will you travel if necessary?

JOHN
My service range extends as far as the clients budget will allow. While I’ve worked in Aspen once, Las Vegas twice, and Boston a few times, most of my service is in NY, NJ and Philly. I was blessed this past year after we moved back to do a dozen or so private events locally in the Lehigh Valley, and one even at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort in the Poconos. Any event close to home is a blessing, even though they are rare, and it helps my wife sleep easier at night. I’m looking forward to seeing all the amazing catering venues in my backyard. My service is a new one to the area, so it will take a little time to catch on.

 

POCONO TALK
If someone would like to get a hold of you or would like to book an event, what is the best way for them to contact you?

JOHN
They can contact me through my website where they will find demo videos, my bio, video testimonials, and more. My website is http://www.JohnDonovan.Biz

 

POCONO TALK
Thanks again for taking the time for this interview, it has been great to learn more about what you do, you’re definitely a huge asset to the Poconos!

JOHN
That’s most kind of you….. thank you for having me!!!