DJ picked up his first pair of drumsticks at the early age of five. Yet, it wasn't until the mid 90's that DJ found popularity as a member of the Firestone High School Marching, Jazz and Concert/Symphonic bands in Akron, Ohio. As a result, DJ was the 1995 winner of the prestigious Louie Armstrong Jazz Musicianship Award, and was awarded a scholarship to Berkley College of Music in Boston, MA. DJ instead accepted a scholarship to join Hampton University’s marching band, "The Marching Force". He toured with The Marching Force and played in the historical "Hampton vs. FAMU" game at Indianapolis Colts Stadium, (one of the longest recorded games in NCAA history).
After college, DJ relocated to Central New Jersey and worked part-time as a studio drummer, while playing live with several New York City based bands. After a three year stint on the East Coast, DJ's next move sent him to Dallas, TX (2004), where he played with several local projects before founding the original instrumental band; "Coalition".
Coalition recorded two albums and advanced to the Semifinal round of the Emergenza Battle of the Bands Competition before disbanding in 2008.
As an Austin resident since 2006, DJ has played in multiple showcases at SXSW & ACL Music Fest. He has showcased at Blues on the Green, The Viper Room in Los Angeles, Utopiafest, The F1 Races, Urban Music Fest, The X-Games, Floatfest, The Blue Nile in New Orleans, etc., just to name a few. He has won 8Austin Music Awards, including; "Best Drummer" in 2015, and 3-Time "Band Of The Year" & "Best Hip Hop Band" in 2014, 2015 & 2016 with "Riders Against The Storm". He has founded and produced the bands "Ugly Elephant", "MoJo Chyld" and his wife's band, "Stephanie Grissett". Despite the many musical projects throughout his career, DJ has always made the time to share his musical knowledge with others as a "Private Drum Instructor".