Music City Mystique

Josh Nelson

Position: Executive Director

Contact: email

Josh Nelson became the Executive Director of Music City Mystique in 2006. Josh has been steadily taking on increased responsibility with MCM since he joined the staff after aging out in 2003. Josh has been an incredible asset to the drumline both as a member, staff member, and now as Executive Director. As a member, he was the section leader of MCM's top bassdrum sections from 2000-2003. For the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Josh functioned as Bass Tech.

Josh's extensive drum corps background has exposed him to many different styles and methods of both teaching and playing. Josh was a member of the 1997 Crossmen, 1999 Bluecoats, and marched with the Blue Knights from 2000 until his ageout in 2002. While with the Blue Knights, Josh won the coveted DCI I & E award in 2000 and again in 2001. Making his drum corps staff debut in 2003, Josh worked as the bass tech for the Seattle Cascades and joined the Blue Knights drum staff, also as bass tech, in 2004.

Josh has extensive teaching experience with various High Schools in Tennessee and Virginia. He is currently the Band Director at Lawrence County High School in Lawrenceburg, TN where he resides.

Chris Finen

Position: President of the Board

Contact: email

Chris Finen is the co-founder of Music City Mystique. He has fulfilled various roles with MCM including Director of Indoor Percussion (1995-2003), Caption Head (1995-1999), and Chief Battery Arranger (1995-1998). He currently serves as the President of the newly formed Board of Directors.

He graduated from Brentwood High School in 1990 and went on to attend Vanderbilt University where he obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1994. While at Vanderbilt, Chris marched snare with the Vanderbilt University "Spirit of Gold" and served as section leader/instructor for his junior and senior years. He also participated in the drum corps activity in 1992 and 1993 by playing snare with Spirit of Atlanta.

Chris has teaching experience with MCM, Vanderbilt University, and various high schools throughout middle Tennessee including: Brentwood, Harpeth, Smyrna, Glencliff, and Centennial High Schools. Chris received his Professional Engineering license in 2002. Chris has worked full time for Eaton Electrial since 1994 as an Application Engineer. Chris received his Professional Engineering license in 2002.

Shane Gwaltney

Position: Visual Designer / Battery Arranger

Contact: email

Shane Gwaltney has been the Visual Designer for MCM since 2001. Additionally, in 2002, Shane became the Battery Arranger. With Shane's innovative visual designs and arrangements, MCM has reached new levels of achievement including World Championship titles in 2001, 2004, and 2006. He is recognized by one of the true leaders in the indoor percussion activity.

Shane served as a leader of MCM for several years and was an integral part in defining the "Mystique Way" of drumming. He was an original member of Mystique and marched until his ageout in 1999. A member of the MTSU "Band of Blue" from 1994-1996, he served as the center snare for the 4th place PASIC Drumline in 1996. His refreshing arrangements, along with the help of past and present Mystique members, have made their way to the court via the annual presentation of the "MCM OTL", the online warmup for MCM.

Shane now resides in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida where he serves as Percussion Caption Head for the Choctawhatchee High School Drumline (WGI PSO Champion in 2002 and WGI PSW Bronze Medalist in 2003). He also serves as a member of the WGI Percussion Advisory Board.

Erik Johnson

Position: Music Coordinator / Front Ens Caption Head

Contact: email

Erik T. Johnson is the president and founder of Innovative Percussion Inc. He received a Master of Music with an emphasis in Percussion Performance from The University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Percussion Performance from Middle Tennessee State University.

Mr. Johnson has been a percussion educator in the Tennessee area for the past 16 years. He has served as adjunct percussion faculty at Middle Tennessee State University from 1991 to 1993 and was the Director of Percussion at McGavock High School in Nashville, Tennessee from 1991 through 1995. Mr. Johnson was on the instructional staff with The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from 1995 to 2005 and The Cavaliers design team as the front ensemble arranger from 1998-2005.

Erik has been the front ensemble coordinator and arranger since 2003 for Music City Mystique Indoor Percussion Ensemble. He resides in Nashville with his wife, Betsy.

Carl Eppler

Position: Battery Caption Head

Contact: email

Carl Eppler been on the Mystique staff as Snare Tech and Battery Caption Head since 2003. Carl joined Music City Mystique as a member of the snare line in 1997. He went on to march snare for MCM in 1998, 2001, and 2002, his ageout year, where he was also the group's section leader.

Also a member of the snare line at the Santa Clara Vanguard, Carl marched in 1999, 2000, and aged out from the center in 2001. Carl's extensive teaching expeience includes a stint with Spirit of JSU (2003, 2004), as well Centennial, Brentwood, and Franklin High Schools here in the Nashville area. After his work with the Cavalier's "What It Takes" drum corps clinics in 2006 and 2007, Carl will join the Cavalier's staff for the 2008 season as a snare technician.

Carl is a native of Franklin, TN. He attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Film and Video Production in 2002. Carl works as the Educational Sales Director for Fork's Drum Closet (www.forksdrumcloset.com).

Tim Maynard

Position: Snare Tech

Contact: email

A native of Nashville, TN, Tim developed his interest in percussion at John Overton High School where he won a WGI World Championship in 1996. After graduating from high school, he spent the next four summers (1997-2000) marching snare for The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to winning two DCI World Championships while at The Cadets, he served as section leader and received the honors of ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘Cadet of the Year’. Tim also won two WGI World Championships during the three years he marched snare at Music City Mystique (1998, 1999, and 2001) where he also served as section leader.

Tim was a member of the percussion staff at the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003 and was snare tech for the Bluecoats in 2005 and 2006. He has taught at various schools in and around the Nashville area including Siegel High School and Oakland High School (2001, 2002 WGI Medalists). Tim is currently a student at MTSU studying Percussion Performance.

Mario Taylor

Position: Cymbal Tech

Contact: email

Mario joined the MCM staff for the 2008 season after his ageout season in 2007. Mario began his marching career at Escambia High School in Pensacola, FL and then with the first year of Eminence Indoor Percussion Ensemble in 2003.

Mario marched drum corps with Spirit from Jacksonville State University in 2003 and 2004. For both seasons, the Spirit cymbal ensemble finished first place in the Cymbal I&E competition. He went on to march with Crossmen for 2005 and 2006 where he was recognized with the Most Outstanding Cymbal Player award for two years running.

Mario's teachning experience includes various high schools including Escambia High School, Tate High School, Pace High School and Pine Forest High School. He also taught the cymbal line for Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps and, for the 2007 season, will return to Spirit of JSU be the cymbal instructor for the 2008 season.

Corey Roberson

Position: Bass Tech

Contact: email

No bio available.

Joel McCauley

Position: Cymbal Tech

Contact: email

Joel is a graduate of North Harrison High School in Ramsey, IN. He began his career with MCM in the cymbal line from 2001 – 2003. He served as section leader in the 2002 - 2003. After his ageout year in 2003, Joel returned to the ensemble as the cymbal tech, a position that he has held proudly ever since.

Joel currently resides in Louisville, KY, where he is employed as a Design Tech. for the Louisville, Gas & Electric Company. He has taught at various high schools throughout the southern Indiana area and is currently teaching part time at Eastern High School in Middletown, Ky.

Michael Chester

Position: Assistant Director

Contact: email

Michael Chester has been a member of MCM Staff since 2003 as a musical consultant and administrative assistant. Responsible for setting the tone of many aggressive performances, Michael served as the Conductor of MCM from 1999 until his ageout in 2002.

Michael is very sought after in the middle Tennessee area for his tremendous ability to teach conducting and has worked with such bands as Brentwood High School, Centennial High School, and in 2004 began work with the Columbia Central High School drum majors.

Michael graduated in 2004 from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Music Education and is currently employed by the Metro Nashville Board of Education as the Band Director at H G Hill Middle School.

Dean Giddens

Position: Front Ens Tech

Contact: email

Dean has been a member of the Music City Mystique staff since 2001. During this time, Dean has functioned primarily as a Front Ensemble Technician. Dean also functions as MCM's resident handyman. Dean's tireless efforts are invaluable in helping keep the group going. From building props to performing emergency repairs, Dean is always there to get the job done.

Dean has extensive teaching experience with various High Schools throughout Alabama and Georgia.

Rob Pastor

Position: Front Ens Tech

Contact: email

No bio available.

Meagan Hills

Position: Front Ens Tech

Contact: email

Meagan Hills began on staff with MCM for the 2006 season after she aged out of the ensemble in 2005. She was a performing member with the ensemble from 2002-2005. Meagan currently is attending Middle Tennessee State University, working towards a music education degree. She has taught numerous percussion programs in the middle Tennessee area and is currently employed at both Centennial and Independence High Schools.

Meagan was a member of the Blue Knights Indoor Percussion Ensemble in 1999 and 2001, The Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 2001 and 2002, and was a a member of the Blue Coats Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004. Go back to Roster

Jason Palmer

Position: Visual Consultant

Contact: email

Jason Palmer has been a member of the Music City Mystique staff since his ageout year in 2004. Jason primarily functions as a visual consultant for the ensemble. Additionally, Jason lends the ensemble his considerable artistic skills. Jason is responsible for the floor and prop designs seen in MCM shows beginning in 2002.

Jason marched drum corps with the Santa Clara Vanguard and Phantom Regiment. He was on staff with the Madison Scouts as a visual tech for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Jason also runs the percussion program at Page High School in Franklin, TN.

Jeremy Thompson

Position: Choreographer / Movement Coordinator

Contact: email

Jeremy joined the MCM staff in 2007 as the groups primary choreographer and movement coordinator. His innovative style and technique can be readily seen in the E=MCM production in 2007. Jeremy continually pushes the envelope with what percussionists can accomplish with movement while marching and playing. Jeremy is from Chattanooga TN where he attended Ooltewah High School as a member of the band, winterguard, and male rifle line. Upon his graduation in 2002 he completed his first year of college at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville as a trumpet performance major and a member of The Pride of the Southland Marching Band.

From there he marched with the 2003 World Champion Blue Devils from Concord, CA. as a member of the hornline. Since 2003 he has taught primarily at Ooltewah High School as a member of the visual and musical staff as well as numerous high school bands and winterguards in Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. In 2004 Jeremy was a member of Latitude 36 Winterguard from Chattanooga, TN. He just completed the 2006 tour with Revolution Drum and Bugle Corps from San Antonio, TX, serving as a member of the brass, visual, and colorguard staff. Revolution is the 2006 DCI Division III Silver Medalist and recipient of the High Brass and High Visual Awards. Jeremy is currently a Music Theory and Composition student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as well as the visual consultant and co-choreographer at Cleveland High School in Cleveland, TN and also at McMinn County High School in Athens, TN.

Matt Grimes

Position:Tenor Technician

Contact: email

No bio available.

Craig Loeffler

Position: Front Ensemble Tech

Contact: email

Craig joins the MCM staff for the 2008 season after aging out in 2007 after 4 years on mariba with the ensemble. In addition to teaching at MCM, Craig teaches at Mt. Juliet High School and taught Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2007 season.

Craig played timpani for the Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps in 2002 and played marimba with the Bluecoats from 2003 - 2006. He won scholarships in percussion from both WGI and SCGC in 2007 and won the SCGC essay contest in 2006.

Craig is a native of St. Louis, MO. He just received his Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education from Middle TN State University.

Don Click

Position: Board Member / Consultant

Contact: email

Don Click is currently serving MCM as a Board Member and member of the Program Coordination Team. He is co-founder of the Music City Mystique youth organization and served as the Executive Director until 2006.

A native of Brentwood, TN, Don graduated from Brentwood High School in 1986 and began his college career at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. After spending three years studying at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Don transferred to the University of North Texas where he earned a degree in Finance. While at UNT, Don spent three years as a member of the UNT indoor drumline. During this time, the drumline won two championships at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Don also has deep roots in the Drum and Bugle Corps (DCI) activity. Don was a member of the 1985 Bridgemen, the 1988 Suncoast Sound, and the 1989 Concord Blue Devils. In 2004, he joined the staff of the Columbia Central High School Band as Percussion Instructor. He has taught and continues to arrange and consult at various high schools throughout the nation.

Don has served as President of the Southeastern Color Guard Circuit where he was formerly the Percussion Coordinator. With Winter Guard International, Don has been a member of the Percussion Advisory Board, Percussion Steering Committee, and as an Executive Board Member.

Don currently lives in Houston, TX with his wife, Stephanie and two children, Avery and Piper.