ExpiredDRUMFEST 2020

TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

Merriam’s Annual DrumFest is set to be an AMAZING EVENT!  Join us for some phenomenal music!

Friday January 10 @ 7:00pm       Tickets: $20

Otis Williams & Band (Sam Williams – Keys/Bass and Rob Christian – Saxophone)

Otis Williams is a professional drummer born and raised in the city of Toronto, Canada. He started playing at the tender age of 2 and began playing every Sunday at his local church at the age of 9.

Along his musical journey as a teenager, he was given opportunities to play drums on various local gospel recordings. At age 12, he played on his very first live recording with International gospel reggae artist, Marvia Providence. This was just the beginning of some great opportunities to follow. He became one of Toronto’s premier gospel session drummers working with various local recording artists such as, Brian Hamilton & Divine Worship, Sharon Riley & Faith Chorale, Londa Larmond, Toronto Mass Choir, Dave Brown, Eddie Bullen, Divine Brown, Kardinal Offishall and more. Otis was also afforded the opportunity to perform with International gospel artists such as Donnie McClurkin, Martha Munizzi, Kim Burrell, Tasha Cobbs, Travis Greene, Israel Houghton and Elevation Worship.

Otis studied and graduated from one of Toronto’s premier post secondary institutes, Humber College for music. He also won the Roland V-Drums concert in 2013.

Otis has become a very influential musician amongst his peers and friends and continues to work as a professional in the city of Toronto & abroad. He is currently touring with Canadian Pop Artist, Francesco Yates as musical director and drummer, and spent much of the year on the road with Francesco opening for Justin Timberlake’s “Man of the Woods” tour.

Otis endorses Pearl Drums, Sabian cymbals, Evans drumheads, Pro-mark drumsticks, and Gruv Gear.

Saturday January 11 @ 2pm                    Tickets: $20

Chuck Keeping (from Big Wreck) & Band

Chuck Keeping is a freelance professional drummer & instructor based out of Toronto, Canada. He is also a recording & touring member of the platinum selling, radio chart topping band Big Wreck. The band is fresh off the road from a 55 date tour of Canada & the U.S. in support of their new record ‘But For The Sun’ with 2 singles from the album reaching the top 10 on rock radio.

As a versatile musician with over 28 years of experience Chuck has toured internationally with a long list of recording artists in various music genres. Notable gigs include playing for the troops in Kuwait, opening for Aerosmith & playing with Prince just to name a few. He has also performed on numerous albums as a session musician.

Other credits include:
4 Juno nominations, 3 Maple Blues nominations, Road Gold award, CMW Indie award and Honors diploma from the Ontario Institute Of Recording Technology

Chuck endorses Sonor drums, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads & Vic Firth sticks.