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BiographyName: Mitch Wright
Styles/Influences: Mitch Mitchell, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Neil Peart, Classic Rock, Southern Rock, New Country, Blues, and Smooth Jazz. History: My story begins in Syracuse N.Y. where I was born. I moved to Kendall, FL. (South Miami) when I was almost two years old. When I was 8 years old my older brother had a Ludwig Pearl 5 Piece that I would fool around on. One day I put on a single 45 record and played along to The Rolling Stones "Get Off Of My Cloud", and that was all it took, I was hooked... I played all through school Symphony and Marching Band and I was in my first serious band in High School and that lasted a couple of years. But, then I decided to join the Air Force and that's what I did, I took my drums that I had bought in High School to my first assignment (Minot, ND) and I was in and out of bands all through my Military career. On June 25, 1996 at 10:10pm Saudi Arabian time my world suddenly changed forever. While serving as a Fighter Aircraft Mechanic in the Air Force, a terrorist bomb exploded and I was blinded by the blast. My time in the A.F. was almost finished as I was due to retire in December 1996. I was in a "Life After the Military" mode when this happened. I think that's why one of my first thoughts was "What am I going to do now?", not being able to see. When I was injured in the blast I lost both lenses and irises and the doctors had to reattach my retinas with a 'rubber band". If the surgery didn't work the other option was to remove the eyes and sew the eyelids closed. The doctors were able to save some vision in one of my eyes; It's not much, but I'll take it. So I combined my limited vision with my years of having vision (I was 40 yearrs old when this happened) and I learned to use my Minds Eye for things I couldn't see but had done before. Plus a trip to a Blind Rehab Center in Birmingham, AL really helped me adjust to my "second life". It was pretty hard to get together at first with other musicians because of my visual limitations and I ended up playing with any one I could to try and "get known". I had to be able to arrange transportation to and from any potential gigs. I was fortunate one day to receive a phone call from a Country Band looking for a drummer. I had left my info at a music store on the "Bulletin Board" and the leader of the band had a huge van and didn't mind at all picking me up and bringing me back. Not only that, but this was my first attempt at Country music, I was always a Rock Classic Rock Blues guy. So, since they were willing to help me I decided to take Country music seriously and really learn my part. After that band broke up I got with another band in Panama City, FL. which was about an hour and 15 minute drive from my home. It was worth the drive to me because this was an Original Country Band and the music was really really good. Then I decided to move from the Panhandle of Florida to Burnsville, NC which is about 29 miles N.E. of Ashville. Now , someone up there likes me because, after putting my name in a free paper I got a call from a band looking for a drummer. This band's leader lives only 4 1/2 miles from my home. He also has a Conversion Van with a equipment trailor. He also doesn't mind "hauling" me around. I have been playing with this band "Roadtrip" and we just auditioned for a job at Dollywood... Gear"Heads" added 02-07-06 
Drums: Slingerland (2004) in Silver Sparkle Finish
Cymbals: Zildjian
Hardware & Misc:
I also use 2 Pearl Boom Stands and 1 Gibraltar Stand. Heads: All Remo
Sticks: Zildjian 7A & 5B Nylon and Wire Brushes. ContactYahoo & MSN names added 02-07-06
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