Carter Beauford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carter Beauford
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Beauford performing in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Carter Anthony Beauford |
| Born | November 2, 1958 Charlottesville, Virginia, United States |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
| Labels | RCA |
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Carter Anthony Beauford (born November 2, 1958) is an amazing American drummer and percussionist. He is one of the founding members of the famous Dave Matthews Band. Carter is known for being super flexible with his drumming, able to play many different types of music. He also has a special way of playing called "open-handed drumming" and can use both hands equally well (this is called being ambidextrous). Besides playing the drums, he also sings backing vocals for the band. In 2010, a Rolling Stone magazine poll ranked him as one of the top 10 greatest drummers of all time!
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Carter's Early Life and Drums
Carter Beauford first discovered drums when he was only three years old. His dad had tickets to a concert by a famous drummer named Buddy Rich. Since he couldn't find anyone to watch Carter, he took his young son along. Carter was completely amazed by Buddy Rich's performance on stage.
After that exciting show, Carter's dad bought him a small tin drum set with paper drumheads. Carter was so interested in learning to play! He started performing music professionally when he was just nine years old.
How Carter Developed His Unique Style
Carter Beauford has a very unusual way of playing the drums. He explained it in his teaching video called "Under The Table & Drumming." He uses his left hand to lead on a drum kit that's set up for right-handed players. This happened by accident when he was a kid.
When he practiced, he would set up his drums in front of a mirror. He tried to copy his favorite drummers, like Buddy Rich, by making his reflection match what he saw on stage or TV. But he unknowingly set up his drums the opposite way. This helped him become completely ambidextrous (able to use both hands equally well) at a very young age.
Joining the Dave Matthews Band
Before the Dave Matthews Band, Carter joined a jazz fusion band called Secrets in Richmond, Virginia. His childhood friend and neighbor, saxophonist LeRoi Moore, was also in this band. Secrets played at different places across Virginia.
Carter also played jazz music in another band called Blue Indigo with LeRoi Moore and other musicians. They often performed at local spots and even at the Delaware Water Gap Jazz Festival.
Eventually, Dave Matthews approached Carter and LeRoi. Dave had written some music and wanted to record it. Carter agreed to play on a demo recording. This is how he became involved with the group that would soon become the famous Dave Matthews Band.
Carter's Other Music Projects
Besides his work with the Dave Matthews Band, Carter Beauford has also played with many other talented artists. He has joined in "jam sessions" (where musicians play together freely) with groups like Vertical Horizon and famous guitarists like Carlos Santana.
He has also collaborated with musicians such as Rashawn Ross, John Popper (from Blues Traveler), Tim Reynolds, Béla Fleck, and Victor Wooten. Sometimes he played with them on his own, and sometimes as part of the band Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.
Awards and Recognition
Carter Beauford has won several awards for his amazing drumming skills:
- Modern Drummer Readers Poll 2003 – Best Pop Drummer
- Modern Drummer Readers Poll 2003 – Best Recorded Performance: Dave Matthews Band: Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
