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Eight-year-old drummer Joshua Hodgson got a jump-start on his musical career. The
Murrieta resident's infatuation with rhythm began while he was still in the womb,
according to his parents.
"He was hitting her belly when she was pregnant," said Joshua's dad, Jeff, while gesturing to
his wife, Kimberly.
The beat didn't stop when Joshua was born. After watching his son tap on "everything he
could get his hands on," Jeff heeded a friend's advice and bought the 3-year-old his first
drum set. Within a year, the instrument was thrashed beyond use.
Joshua Hodgson, 8, of Murrieta, took second place in Murrieta Valley Unified School
District's PTA Reflections Talent Competition and participated in the Murrieta Talent
Showcase.
Now playing on a semi-professional set, Joshua's innate sense of rhythm has already begun
to garner him local attention. This year, Joshua took second place in Murrieta Valley
Unified School District's PTA Reflections Talent Competition and participated in the
Murrieta Talent Showcase, where he was the youngest performer and the only drummer.
He will also be the sole percussionist in the Temecula Talent Showcase on Aug. 4, the day
before his ninth birthday.
Asked if he has experienced stage fright, Joshua answered, "What's that? When I figure out
there are 500 people there, I wish it could be the whole world."
Joshua performs beats he composes and names himself. Among them are "Machine Gun,"
"Running Horses" and "Firing Phil."
Joshua says he practices at least 30 minutes a day, and more if he has a performance coming
up. He takes weekly lessons with Richard Simpkins, of Carol Cole Music Studios in Murrieta.
Joshua hopes to play drums professionally when he grows up, but says his passions for
science and astronomy will also figure into his life plan.
"I want to be a professional drummer, help Africa and be an astronaut/scientist," Joshua
said. "Africa is first on my helping list. We already have more than enough here."
Joshua will be a fourth grader at Lisa J. Mails Elementary School this fall, where his
education will have an emphasis on performing arts.
His mother Kimberly Hodgson says the next step in his career will be joining a band in a few
years.
Murrieta resident's infatuation with rhythm began while he was still in the womb,
according to his parents.
"He was hitting her belly when she was pregnant," said Joshua's dad, Jeff, while gesturing to
his wife, Kimberly.
The beat didn't stop when Joshua was born. After watching his son tap on "everything he
could get his hands on," Jeff heeded a friend's advice and bought the 3-year-old his first
drum set. Within a year, the instrument was thrashed beyond use.
Joshua Hodgson, 8, of Murrieta, took second place in Murrieta Valley Unified School
District's PTA Reflections Talent Competition and participated in the Murrieta Talent
Showcase.
Now playing on a semi-professional set, Joshua's innate sense of rhythm has already begun
to garner him local attention. This year, Joshua took second place in Murrieta Valley
Unified School District's PTA Reflections Talent Competition and participated in the
Murrieta Talent Showcase, where he was the youngest performer and the only drummer.
He will also be the sole percussionist in the Temecula Talent Showcase on Aug. 4, the day
before his ninth birthday.
Asked if he has experienced stage fright, Joshua answered, "What's that? When I figure out
there are 500 people there, I wish it could be the whole world."
Joshua performs beats he composes and names himself. Among them are "Machine Gun,"
"Running Horses" and "Firing Phil."
Joshua says he practices at least 30 minutes a day, and more if he has a performance coming
up. He takes weekly lessons with Richard Simpkins, of Carol Cole Music Studios in Murrieta.
Joshua hopes to play drums professionally when he grows up, but says his passions for
science and astronomy will also figure into his life plan.
"I want to be a professional drummer, help Africa and be an astronaut/scientist," Joshua
said. "Africa is first on my helping list. We already have more than enough here."
Joshua will be a fourth grader at Lisa J. Mails Elementary School this fall, where his
education will have an emphasis on performing arts.
His mother Kimberly Hodgson says the next step in his career will be joining a band in a few
years.
Kid Born to Play Drums
By JULIA LOVE
Special to The Press-Enterprise
By JULIA LOVE
Special to The Press-Enterprise
