Doug Van der Weyde:  

Life Been playing music all these years along with starting, buying, and selling small businesses, from insurance to audio consulting to a Harley shop to computer stores. Something to do when not touring. Finally slowed down in 2005, decided to go finish college and have become a student again for awhile. I learned how to live small long ago and like it that way. I still play and record drums and percussion with a variety of bands and players, names and unknowns, but mostly, I watch my kids grow - 2 daughters, 1 son, and two dogs. Mary teaches elementary school and keeps tabs on the kids when I'm on the road. Update: Summer 2008 - finished my BA from CSUDH and have enrolled in a Masters Degree program to continue this academic pursuit of mine. It's been a great ride and I'd like to see how far I can go. Though I keep trying to cut back on musical endeavors, I still keep getting calls, sometimes to play or tech for a drummer and sometimes to be the sound engineer, another skill I picked up over the years. I did a gig recently on the Redondo Beach pier with some friends and I brought along Marc Ford (Black Crowes) to play slide guitar. I was surprised at how many folks hung out to watch - must've been 500 or so folks hanging out. The pier folks were real happy and want us back for the 2009 Lobsterfest. I'm not touring this summer, but am going in the studio next week to record some tracks. I've finally decided to learn some Spanish and have finished a 5 week course. At least I can read the billboards around my neighborhood now! I've also been remodeling the house a bit. I've never really learned to be much of a carpenter, but I'm hangin' in there! I've added a new room for myself, sort of a library/study/office and now I'm redoing the living room. Have a great summer and thanks for stopping by! Update Dec 2008: Elections are over and the economy has tanked - WoW! what an historic year it's been. Jan '09: Just returned from two weeks on the road, 5600 miles! Gigs in Denver and Nashville, plus some recording, and visits with friends in other cities. Saw Kyle Kratz in Myrtle Beach, SC. Haven't seen him since high school and we had a great couple of days together catching up on life. Next up? Back to Denver for a few gigs with Marc and then it's time to lay down a new floor in the dining room and kitchen area. Thanks for stopping by! Update: April 2009: Life's pretty good these days. School has gotten boring, but I'm hanging in there. I might make some school changes after this semester. The kids are all off on Spring Break this week. My older daughter went to visit my sis in Maryland, my younger has a 6 week old boy she's looking after - yup, I'm a grandpappy now! The son has been competing in skateboard competitions and is doing well so far. Easter's this Sunday and I hope you find some goodies in your eggs! Jan 2010: Man, what a crazy year 2009 was! I criss-crossed the country 4 times this past year doing some recording (Nashville) and playing on tour. My oldest, 19 next month, is in Maryland going to college, the younger daughter and child are at home doing great, and my son has good days and not so good days - he's 14 and I hear this is normal for guys his age. Mom got diagnosed with Alzheimer's and I'm now "The nice man who takes her to the store!" The past 6 months have been crazy as I watch her slipping away (Dad died back in '93). We'll have to put Mom in one of those assisted living joints sometime this year - she definitely won't be liking that! The sis, Debi, is still in Maryland and working as a judge for the Feds in DC. She's like the timeshare queen and travels whenever she has the chance. I'm staying close to home this year cuz of Mom, so I'm tending the books at the little Harley shop I co-own, playing a little music, and working on my Masters thesis. If you're in the neighborhood, let me know and let's chill! Steaks and Newcastles for everyone! Rock On! Sept, 2010: Halfway done with a Masters degree and due to Mom's Alzheimer's getting worse, I had to drop out of the degree program. Sis and I had to move Mom to an Alzheimer's facility in Annapolis near where sis lives now and the old house is being renovated, should be done in few more weeks. Mom thinks she's in Egypt (I have no idea why) and though she suffered a fall and broke her hip, she's mending well (for an 88 year old!). As for her home in PV, I suppose we'll sell it once Mom passes and there goes our little haven on the Hill. So, I'm back at music to pass the time while renovations are underway, mostly Jazz now and am working on composing new material. Am working with some new musician friends in Orange Cty on a new project and have been booked for a gig with some friends in Tucson in December. Late October 2010: Home renovations are done at Mom's and there have been loads of call about renting the place. I guess it helps to have a nice ocean view! Mom's doing fine in Maryland - she keeps saying she's leaving to go home soon but she doesn't know where home is. her facility is real sweet and the people who work there are super nice! I'm working on flying out there in December and flying back with my daughter who's going to school in Maryland - for the Christmas holidays. To keep my education dreams alive after losing my seat in my Masters degree program, I've gone back to Harbor College while I figure out what to do next. Am taking some music classes and it's been a gas hanging out with some younger, motivated musicians and vocalists. So, until next time......be excellent to yourself and to others! Update March 2011: Wow, I'm still here in LA. Mom's doing ok in Maryland these days though she had a little cancer scare and other health issues which are pretty normal for an late octogenarian. Am still hangin' at Harbor College mostly in the recording studio - they have a nice microphone inventory - and am working with a few of the more advanced recording arts students. I've learned that it's hard to play drums and be the recording engineer at the same time - LOL! Having extra help there at the school really helps! As for the family, my wife and kids are doing well. Mary still has a job teaching elementary school in Compton and our oldest child is now 20 - wow! - and loving life while going to college in Maryland about 30 miles from where Debi, my sister, now lives....Expand for more