I first started piano lessons in the 5th grade. The following year I studied viola in orchestra. Later in 1995 during the 11th grade I joined the Dobie High School choir. It was about this time I saw an Austin City limits performance that would change my life forever, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. After viewing the performance I began guitar lessons with Bert Tiller and then with Gill Baxter at H & H music in Pasadena. I studied guitar with David Wheeler at San Jacinto College south campus for 2 semesters.
2004-2009
If a guitar had teeth Derrick cut them playing at many open mic nights in southern Harris, Galveston, Brazoria and Chambers counties. He first started playing at open mic’s that the Convertible band hosted in League city and Texas City. The convertibles consisted of Jeff Hale lead guitar, electric violin and vocals, B.C. Anagnostis bass and vocals, and various drummers. William Ridenour or Wild Bill was the one who introduced Derrick to The Convertibles. Wild Bill was a mentor to Derrick for about four years. The main focus of instruction was precise rhythm and the use of drum machines. Bill also instructed him about guitar, amp, pedal, and guitar pickup selection to achieve desired tone. He further taught Derrick how to set up guitars, do minor repairs and how to properly solder.
2010-2013
He Played at Hoppies Texican Grill open mic nights on many Thursdays. At Hoppies he developed a large network of professional musicians. This is were he met fellow band mates Roger Stone and Mark Thigpen. The band consisted of Mark on bass or acoustic guitar and lead vocals and Roger on lead guitar, rhythm guitar and slide guitar. Derrick played lead guitar and rhythm and sang backing vocals. They formed a band, however they never could decide on an official name. It was from Roger that he learned more slide guitar and became confident in his own slide guitar abilities. The three of them had many guest musicians on drums and bass sometimes even a guest lead singer. In the beginning Sue Bickley joined them several times on lead vocals. Their strong point was long extended instrumental jams of classic rock and blues tunes. The bass player that played most of the gigs was Tony Logstone. The majority of their gigs were appearances at open mic nights. One night in particular; Mark, Roger and Derrick decided to go up to the Big Easy Wednesday night jam and play. Low and behold Guitar Shorty decided to show up that night and Play a set, which was amazing and a little intimidating. They finally got to go on after midnight and they played great! They played several private parties in Angleton. At these private parties they started playing with their steady drummer Travis Thrash.
2011
He performed at Super feast Thanksgiving day with Roger Stone, Mike Simon and Danny Sparks and other musicians to a crowd of roughly 3,000 in attendance.
2010-2013
He was the sound man for the Hex band. The Hex band consisted of Hector Serrano, Mark Thigpen and various drummers. Doing weekly house gigs at Fatty’s and Main street Station he played guitar, bass, backing vocals and ran sound with Hector Serrano during open mic nights. At these gigs Hector taught Derrick how to run the sound as well as how to entertain a crowd. At a couple of gigs he ran a light show.
2011- 2013
He hosted open mic nights weekly at Beamers Place playing guitar, bass and backing vocals. The gig had 2 different lineups. The first incarnation had Hector Serrano on guitar and vocals, Standel on bass then Rob Blumenthal on bass and vocals, Daniel Soderstrom on drums and Derrick on guitar. The second version Derrick switched over to bass, Robert Alvarado on guitar and vocals and Daniel Soderstrom on drums.
2011
He played Bass in the band Earl Wang and the Triple Porkchop Express. Earl Wang (Danny) on vocals and keyboards, Chris Barnes on lead guitar, Ed Soria on drums.
2012
He played lead guitar with the Monumental Band which consisted of Tino Trevino lead vocals and rhythm guitar, T.R. Loxterman on keyboards and vocals, Jaime on bass, and a couple of different drummers.
He has been teaching private lessons in the clear lake area for over 15 years
