Today we’d like to introduce you to Tex Bosley.
Tex, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my career as a musician at a very early age following in the footsteps of my father and learning, with his instruction, the basics of drumming and drum set playing.
Early on in this process, I fell absolutely in love with Drum Line and Marching Band. This infatuation led me to seek and earn a spot with an organization on the Drum Corps International tour circuit while still in high school.
For those who don’t know, Drum Corps is the absolute top of the marching music performance food chain. One might think of it as “professional marching band in sports form.”
The experiences I gained those first two tours prepared me for my next destination at The University of North Texas College of Music where I began studies in Music Education.
The connections I made through my studies at UNT and my continuing involvement with DCI provided the network and the opportunity to pursue my musical passions full-time.
In the nearly two decades since beginning my time at North Texas, I’ve been fortunate to grow my career as a performer, recording artist and percussion educator. I’m blessed to count a great number of the most talented and prominent musicians and educators on earth as my friends. My colleagues and bandmates are some of the most highly sought after individuals, globally, in their respective fields.
I’ve worked hard to be able to continue doing what I love which is bringing beautiful music to ears that need to hear it and a wealth of percussion knowledge to inquiring young minds in the region and beyond.
It is a pleasure that I simply cannot define.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported, encouraged, taught, challenged and mentored me throughout the years. There are so many of you.
Mostly, I’d like to thank my wonderful family and especially my parents who, knowing the struggles this life can bring, never once faltered in their steadfast belief in me.
Much Love To You All!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It is no secret that the life of a musician can be and often is fraught with difficulties and even peril.
From the dangers of excess to the potential deadliness of the highways after the last call, there is no shortage of opportunities to trip up.
I’ve been very lucky to have, thus far, lived to tell the tale. So, I’ll only say that the hardest part has been seeing a few friends, some as close or even closer than family, fall victim to drugs, alcohol, disease and even disappearance.
For what it is worth, we will always love these friends of ours and we continue to carry on the traditions of their wonderful music even though the pitfalls reached up and grabbed them too early from us.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My Business is Music.
My specialty is All-Things Drums and Percussion.
I’m most proud of my students’ successes and for starting a small business in North Texas focused on repairing & restoring used and surplus equipment to affordably get into the hands of young learners who may otherwise not have drums to play.
The thing that sets me apart from others is my personality.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
As a performer, I define success as consistently producing a quality musical product that conveys the message of the composers and songwriters to the audience in a way that is meaningful to everyone. I love making my bandmates smile and I love making my audiences laugh and dance.
As an educator, I define success as those “a-ha” moments when my students reach a crucial yet previously unachieved level of understanding and we move forward as a pair of greater human beings.
Image Credit:
Aaron White, Tony Ferraro, Jenny Bosley, Christi LaViolette, Steve Hanlen, Tom Miller, Plano Drum Line, Plano Percussion
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