Richard Groce


Location: Clemmons, NC

Challenge: Spinal Injuries / Diabetes

Website: facebook.com/RichardWGroce

I've been a lover of music since being a small child and listening to so many different genres. At age 11, I was allowed to be in the school band playing the trumpet and learning other instruments along the way. I learned guitar and bass guitar and a bit of keys but the drums were where my heart was at. I'm now retired from government work but I was playing before, during and still. I've been blessed to have played with many outstanding musicians and to travel to many stages over the years.

I've also opened shows for some famous artist as well as played on stage with some famous artist. Some of my best friends in the years have been musicians and I've also enjoyed helping those young people that needed a break in learning. I believe it's fun to pass on knowledge and to help each other...

I'm very very thankful and blessed to still be vertical and doing what I enjoy and love to do. Music has been my escape for many many years and will continue to be so. I've been a friend with Andrew Hewitt ever since he first appeared in Modern Drummer and he and I have had many a splendid chat and great times over the years. He inspires me to over look my disabilities and to look for new ways to do things. This has helped me over the years as I own a monster kit and a semi-monster kit to which each kit has found it's way to a small kit depending on what was needed.

Over the years I have played in various bands EFFEXX, Against the Grain, The G Men, Open Fire, HOOKED, Iron Dragon, Chill Factor, Platnum Huzzy, Catfish Cherry, Grace Abounds, Sacred Flood, Blackledge, The Big Daddy Band, Whiskey Rain, One Foot In and several other bands that never got anywhere and I have also done some recording for someone that works with SONY MUSIC that is a writer and his cd was released in 2012.....all in all, it's been a great ride!

I keep striving to do and be my best even though I play in pain a lot and even lose a stick from time to time due to the nerves not letting me feel the stick in my hand, I'm still going at it as much as I can. Believe it or not, drumming is very good motion of therapy and it has help me to over come some motion fatigue and other things. Changing my set up over the years has helped tremendously with reach, carrying weight and the less is more approach. (but I still love a monster kit..LOL)

I think everyone should try to do what they're good at and never ever give up.... and if time allows, help someone else too.... passing it on or paying it forward is a must that I think everyone should do.

Over the years, my diabetes has caused other problems with my health and caused me to expire on July 7, 2008 but after several minutes I "came back". If anyone wants to know more about me or as to what happened on July 7, 2008, please feel free to write to me on Facebook and I'll send you what has been written.