Doug Fields


Location: Belle, WV

Challenge: Leg Injuries / Arthritis

Website: facebook.com/doug.fields.33

Doug Fields is a drummer who comes from Belle, West Virginia. He says "I have been blessed with an amazing wife and two beautiful daughters". Doug has played drums since he was 10 years old. He studied under Chet Backus for several years, who was a great influence on his drumming.

Doug adds "My biggest inspirations were John Bonham and Neal Peart growing up, and later Vinnie Colaiuta, Gregg Bissonette and Dom Famularo (his enthusiasm is contagious!)". He played in bands through high school and shortly afterwards, but found that he wasn't cut out for the club scene. Years later, Doug started going to church, and eventually started playing drums on the praise team. This combined two of his biggest passions, faith and the drums.

Doug says "In 2009, I was in a bizarre snowtubing accident which broke my right leg in five places.

Surgery put me back together, but I also had my ankle dislocated, and that's where the problems began."

The cartilage in Doug's right ankle was badly damaged, and this caused arthritis to quickly take over the joint. Pain and stiffness made it difficult to play the kick drum with even a fraction of the speed and power he once had, and even walking was very difficult.

But that's where Doug started praying that God would help me to "do more with less". He says "I modified my playing. For the first few months, I played the kick with my left foot and used a closed hi-hat. Then, as the broken leg healed, I had to learn to play with a more 'heel up' style. I had played heel down before. This gave me a little more power, although I will never have the power or speed I had before. But I am encouraged that I can play more with less. It just takes more creativity and thought to do that. Playing each note intentionally, making maximum impact with each note, not just physical impact but impacting the music itself".

Doug believes that each time he plays is a gift to God, and each time he can play is a gift from God.