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Kris Myers Musical artist

Kris Myers (born April 5, 1977) is an American musician. He is the drummer for Chicago-based progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee.Myers began drumming when he was eight, after an uncle bought him a drum kit. He attended William Fremd High School in Palatine, IL from 1991-1995 where he was actively involved in the music department and forming local rock bands with fellow students. While participating in team sports throughout his time at Fremd, Myers co-started local ska/punk band Skalawags with fellow music students and friends. After a stint of success in ’94-’95, the band members declined an offer to tour Japan, opting instead to pursue college degrees.He attended Elmhurst College as a music major from 1995 – 1999, joining the Elmhurst College Jazz Band under director Doug Beach. The jazz band was self-sufficient; spending most weekends on paying gigs to help fund trips to jazz festivals both in the U.S. and internationally (Umbria Jazz Festival in Perusia & Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland).In 2001, Myers attended DePaul University where he earned a master’s degree in jazz drumming and was a member of the Robert Parton Orchestra. During this time he was regularly hired for studio sessions and was a member of Chicago local jazz fusion group Kick the Cat.After submitting his demo material and a subsequent audition, Myers began playing drums for Umphrey’s McGee in 2003, replacing the departing drummer Mike Mirro. With Myers at the helm, Umphrey’s has released eight albums (both studio and live) and is on extensive tour, playing over 100 nights a year. They have played the some of the largest music festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Fuji Rock Festival (Japan), to name a few.He has shared the stage with a variety of artists over the years: Buddy Guy, Dave Matthews, Huey Lewis, Mavis Staples, Koko Taylor, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mike Gordon, Warren Haynes, Ivan Neville, Les Claypool, Stephen Perkins, Mike Keneally, Jimmy Herring, Bill Kreutzman, Adrian Belew, Joshua Redman, Taj Mahal, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Jeff Coffin, Jen Hartswick, Keller Williams, Stanley Jordan, Chris Poland, Rob Pagliari, Jeff Austin, Buckethead, Cody Dickinson, Luther Dickenson, Mark Kolby, Jon McLean, Rob Cornelius, Paris Delayne, Jeremy Piven (actor).Kris is an endorser of Pearl drums, Zildjian cymbals, Evans drumheads and Vic Firth drumsticks. In 2012, he received his own line of signature drum sticks from Vic Firth: http://www.vicfirth.com/product/buynow/product.php?button=55AIn 2011, Kris Myers was given the title of best Jam Band drummer by DRUM Magazine, beating out jamband stalwarts such as Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers and Jon Fishman of Phish.Since 2003, Myers has been a member in several bands with fellow Umphrey’s band mates, and an array of new and old musical artists and friends: Drop Q (2006 – present): Transfusion jazz/drum and bass trio with former members of Kick the CatKris Myers Jazz Trio (2006 – present): Modern jazzBrain Damaged Eggmen (2006 – present): Pink Floyd/Beatles cover band with Umphrey’s band mates and Marc Brownstien and Aron Magner from Disco BiscuitsNorth Indiana Allstars (2007 – present): Jazz/rock fusion with Stephen Perkins from Jane’s Addiction and Umphrey’s band matesGoodnight Nurse (2007 – present): Music licensing project for T.V., film, and record labelDigital Tape Machine (2009 – present): Electronic dance music for live setting and T.V/filmOHMphrey (2010 – present): Hard rock/fusion with Chris Poland of Megadeth and Umphrey’s band matesDextrous Roy (2010 – present): Electronic(House, Drum 'n' Bass, Hip Hop) duo; drums and DJHuey Lewis & the rUMors (2012 – present): Teamed up with 80’s pop legend Huey Lewis and fellow Umphrey’s band mates for covers and originals from both Umphrey’s McGee and Huey Lewis & the NewsUmphrey's McGee music releases: