EddieOnDrums
Full-Time Drummer/Teacher
My wonderful Wife of almost 32 years, "Suzette". Thank you for putting up with me!
CLIFFS NOTES!
- I've been playing the drums for 55 years!
- I've been Teaching in the Phoenix area for 20 years.
- I have 2-DOZEN+ students ranging from the age of 6 to 70 years old!
- I am Married (31years) and have to kids and a new Grandson!
- I played in a many local groups and a popular band called BOOMER.I do Agency work and play with the Drifters when they are in the southwest.
- I Volunteer teach drums at two Elementary schools: Barbara Robie since '11 and Litchfield Elementary since '14.
- I also have two Bucket drum groups at each school!
Born in Illinois and raised in upstate New York, Eddie Vallee began playing the drums at the age of 4. Eddie studied through public school lessons and private lessons at The Knapp School of Music in Elmira New York. His first real "gig" came as teen with Central Assembly Of God Church Praise Group. There he performed with adults and played three times a week in praise bands, worship groups and rally groups.
During his later teens he began playing with local rock bands and maintained a very busy schedule with Original bands, Cover Bands and Christian Bands that eventually landed him a seat with the ever popular group called THE ROGUES. Eddie also worked recording radio jingles and did free lance studio recording for other artists in need of a drummer.
Eddie held the drum seat with The Rogues for ten years until he relocated to Phoenix Arizona in 1998. There he quickly became very busy working in the R&B scene working with Arizona Blues Hall of Fame artists Lil' Bo Wilson, Scotty Spenner (The Jaded Aces), and Chief Shibuti (Chief and the Good Time Rollers). In the early 2000's Eddie kept busy with the classic rock group called THE SOFA KINGS, and two R&B groups called The Natural Silver Project and The Fuzzy Boys.
Eddie began teaching again in 2006 at AZ Music West in Peoria AZ. In 2008 Eddie left his full-time day job of ten years to pursue his passion for Private Teaching. He taught at AZ Music West until they closed in the fall 2009, then he moved his student base to his home studio where he continues to be one of the busiest drumset teachers in the Phoenix area. In 2008 Eddie also started his own band, forming a classic rock/variety group called "BOOMER". Boomer remained one of the busiest bands in Arizona performing at Clubs, Casinos, Resorts, Corporate functions and more on average 4 times a week. He could also be seen behind the drums with Rock $ Roll Hall Of Famers THE DRIFTERS, THE COASTERS, THE PLATTERS and also two AMERICAN IDOL Finalists -David Hernandez and Rebecca Bond.
Eddie has also worked as a volunteer drumming instructor with The Litchfield School District. Teaching students principals of drumming and rhythm at Barbara B. Robie Elemetary School, Litchfield Elementary School, L Thomas Heck Middle School and Sommerset Acadamy, and was the Leader of the Snare Drum Club at Barbara B. Robie Elementary School.
Eddie is married to his wife of 32 years, Suzette, and they have two grown children, Eddie IV, Savanna and a Grandchild named "Tobias". The name Tobias means "God is good"!
Eddie is an Artist endorser of Axis Pedals, Los Cabos Drumsticks, Soultone Cymbals, RodieGear Works, PinchClip and DrumClip.
-J. Duram (author)
About Eddie!
My first drum set!