He is an operatic bass singer. He originally wanted to be a drummer instead, but turned down music scholarships and conservatory programs for a free-ride to play football at the Citadel; he graduated with a degree in English. He worked for a Fortune 500 company in regional sales of data storage. At age 30, he tried out for the chorus of "Aida" at the Boston Lyric Opera. A week later, the music director asked him to audition for a solo role.
His father, mother, and three sisters were all singers. In childhood he sang in church choir and the Atlanta Boy Choir. He attended a performing arts high school, where he made all-city band and all-state chorus.
At first, I always was in the choirs, but to me, at heart, I was a drummer. Because if you're going to be in a church in the South, there has to be rhythm. It was always about beats, beats, beats.
The cool guys are out there making plays on the football field while you [band members] are wearing your uniforms, marching around at halftime. ... Who wants to do that? [on preferring football over music as a teenager]
What I have experienced over the years in opera, the higher the voice, the more temperamental the personality. But basses, we are just happy to get a dressing room to ourselves.