DRUMS Dominic Geralds
[ WM ] Tell us about how you got started playing drums?
[ Dominic Geralds ] My Mom told me that, at an early age, I would always beat on things around the house. In middle school I wanted to play the snare drum, but she said it was too loud, so I ended up choosing the alto saxophone. That fire and passion for drumming had always been there, but it took some time for it to really start burning.
When I was 19, I started playing percussion on my worship team at a church called Metro Worship Center. It wasn’ t until I turned 21 that I actually picked up drumsticks to play the kit. Before that took place, there were two drummers in rotation on the worship team, but there were some weekends when neither of them was available. I saw a need. In fulfilling that need, my passion started to grow, and the fire was lit. Three months into playing, the worship leader, Aaron Crider, asked me,“ How did you get so good this fast?” I responded,“ I’ ve just been practicing A LOT.”( laughing)
At the time, I was attending a community college and working a part time job( which I would skip or call in at times so that I could practice).( laughing again) Aaron then invited me to play drums for him at an event in New York City. The furthest I had been from my hometown, China Grove, North Carolina, was Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. So I said,“ YES” without hesitation. Once I discovered that people travel and play music for a living, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
[ WM ] Who were your main drum influences?
[ Dominic ] When I started playing, Carter Beauford was my guy! But the more I played, the more music and drummers I discovered. Hats off to, Steve Jordan, Questlove, Sheila E, Phil Collins, Ringo Star, Steve Gadd, John Bonham, Aaron Sterling, Lee Worley, Jacob Arnold, Jesse Proctor, Alfred Sergel, Paul Mayberry, Chris Dave, Dave Grohl, Tony Williams, Chad Smith, Brian Blade, Larry Mullen Jr., Steve Smith, JR Robinson, Larnell Lewis, Benny Greb, Carter Mclean, Jojo Mayer, Clyde Stubblefield, Roy Haynes, Levon Helm, Elvin Jones, Matt Chamberlain, and so many more!
This list indicates how broad my taste in music is.( laughing)
[ WM ] How did playing / serving at Elevation Church come around?
[ Dominic ] I have my buddy Lance Gatch to thank for encouraging me to audition for the team! Prior to that, in 2009, I attended Elevation for a year before auditioning. When time came for tryouts in 2010, I was extremely
BUYER’ S GUIDE # 12- 2025 WT Subscribe to [ WM ] for Free... 47