Seventh-grader Thomas Lowe took his seat behind his band members and had his drumsticks out and ready to go.
Lowe was playing drums with NT Blues Revue Band, showing off their musical talents at the First Annual Detroit Blues Society Youth Blues Challenge, Oct. 11.
‘It was fun,? Lowe said about his first competition playing drums.
The band played five songs – a mix between original pieces and covers to previously recorded songs.
They had two original songs, ‘Love is Everywhere,? written by his bandmate and guitarist, Brian Iglesias, and ‘Little Girl Blues.? They covered ‘Backscratcher? and modified it from its original version.
Lowe helped with the drum portions for the songs. He began playing with the band in August and got involved through a family friend.
‘They wanted their daughter to sing for the Blues competition and they knew I played drums, so they asked me to play,? he said.
He was new to the drums and had only played them since June, and has played the guitar for two years.
He branched into the two instruments from playing percussion because his parents, Alan and Cherie Lowe, wanted him to try different instruments. He admits he likes playing the drums more.
‘I like playing drums because I like sitting down on the stage and not standing up,? Thomas said. ‘I get to be in the background and I have bunch of stuff to bang.?
He is also drawn to the guitar because of the different notes and chords he gets to play and to make the music sound different. As of right now, he does not have anymore competitions lined up but is open to play in more..
‘I hope to do the contest next year with the same band,? he said.
He still practices with the band at least once a month and tries to practice individually everyday when he can. During summer, he participates in Clarkston Rock Band Camp and has for the last two years. He also met Iglesias at camp.
Thomas also plays sports and is on the Clarkston Jets team in Michgan Youth Flag Football league and is coached by his dad and Kevin Bellant.
‘I don’t keep track of what we win or lose,? he said. ‘I am playing for fun and learning about football.?
When he first joined, he didn’t know anything about football but has learned a lot since. He plays in the finals on Saturday at Walled Lake Northern High School.