As the drummer for NOMaD, Bobby’s responsibilities are far reaching. Not only does he provide a solid foundation for the band both live and in the studio, but he is also the voice that is frequently heard harmonizing with lead vocalist David August. Bobby has also written or co-written several of NOMaD’s original tunes, including Desire, Summer’s End, and Watch the Girls, and acts as producer and arranger when the band is in the studio. He is also an “associate artist” with the Maryland Drum Company and can be seen behind that sweet “silver glass glitter” drum kit at NOMaD shows.

Bobby began playing drums at the age of 7 and recalls two pivotal moments that started him down the road of music. “I remember seeing Stevie Wonder on Sesame Street doing “Superstitious” with a full band. I went out to a record store with my mom, bought “Talking Book,” and started playing along to that record on the drum set my dad bought me for Christmas.” But perhaps the deciding factor came was when he discovered his cousin’s KISS records. “I remember seeing ‘Destroyer’, ‘Alive’, and ‘Alive II’ in his record crates, and was totally blown away by the costumes, make-up, stage set-up…the whole shebang. I’ll never forget how mesmerized I was by just the sight of that band. Peter Criss has probably influenced as many drummers as Buddy Rich or Neil Peart.”

During high school Bobby played in Central Catholic’s Blue Knight’s Jazz band and Marching Band, as well as in the pit band for Central’s theatre group, The Masque. After high school, Bobby went on to minor in percussion performance at Duquesne University, studying percussion with Lenny Rodgers and Jerry Unger, and performing in small jazz groups under the instruction of Dave Budway.

As far as drumming influences go, Bobby has a hard time sighting only a few. “If I had to pick a drummer who I sound the most like, it would be Steve Smith when he was with Journey. I’ve always liked pop music and enjoyed drummers that could make a part interesting, but not get in the way of a good song. I think Steve Smith, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jeff Porcaro, and Kenny Aronoff are tops as far as creating superb drum tracks for pop tunes. I also have an incredible amount of respect for the discipline of the Nashville players like Eddie Bayers, Paul Leim, and Larrie Londin. Larrie was simply fantastic with that “lead foot” of his. That’s why these guys have played on volumes and volumes of stuff!”

Other drumming influences include Dave Weckl, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Grady Tate, Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Liberty DeVitto, and again, the list goes on and on. "There are so many great players out there, so much stuff to draw from, it’s impossible to list just a few influences.”

Bobby is also well respected outside of his work with NOMaD. He is one of Pittsburgh’s most reliable and versatile drummers and has been called upon to play with some of Pittsburgh’s finest musicians and organizations, including Peter Hewlett (Billy Joel) & Scott Anderson, Three Rivers Entertainment, New Community Church, Mark Pipas, Lisa Ferraro, Barbara Blue, Jeff Bell, Mind’s I, Chizmo Charles, Daddy-O, Billy G & the Soul Patrol, Mr. Speed (Kiss Tribute Band) and list really does go on and on. In 2002, he was called to back up the 50s/60s do-wop group The Platters with Matt Ferrante & Modern Times. Bobby also teaches at Pittsburgh’s Drum World and has manned the drum chair for a number of musical productions, including “Pippin,” “Grease,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Bobby has also had the recent good fortune to be doing more recording sessions lately, including work with Betsy Lawrence, Casey Hanner, Dale Vincent, Nashville-based songwriter Jim Williams, Bruce Lazier, Rick Gallagher, and Grant Van Leuven. He can also be heard on the Pittsburgh Pirate’s fight song “Let’s Go Bucs,” which is played at PNC Park and is used as the music bed for various radio spots.

Outside of music, Bobby’s main passion is playing ice hockey. He is a forward skater in Pittsburgh’s Mount Lebanon Senior Hockey League, and finished first in the spring league’s scoring race with 24 goals in 10 games. In his spare time, Bobby also enjoys bicycling, weightlifting, in-line skating, reading, adventurous video games (when time permits), and spending time with his wife Maryellen and his two exceptionally cool boys, Luke and Nicholas.