Aaron Spears (Usher)

Aaron's love for music began in a church in Washington DC, USA, which he attended with his parents as a toddler. Music was an essential part of the service and Aaron was enthusiastic about the choir and accompanying band. Later, when he later became a part of this environment, he was finally able to fulfill his inner, natural desire - to make music and express himself with music. Fortunately for all of us, the drummer of this accompanying band was the person who attracted most of Aaron's attention.
Aaron's development as a musician was particularly influenced by the music he got to know through his parents. Gospel artists like The Winans, Commission, The Hawkins, Hezekiah Walker and many more opened his eyes and his musical horizon. The first "walking attempts" and most important stations as a drummer he made with the church accompanying band and a band in which he played in high school. It also helped him in his further development - especially with his first bigger, though still local, band "The Gideon Band", which he joined at the age of 23, and which was to lead to his big breakthrough in 2003.
Gerald Heyward, a great inspiration for Aaron and later a close friend, listened to music from "The Gideon Band" in the presence of Valdez Brantley, musical director for Usher. Valdez Brantley's interest was aroused - in short, he invited Aaron for an audition for Usher's accompanying band, which was positive for Aaron, and he was able to accompany Usher on a world tour. When he was allowed to drum the next tour, Aaron focused on his dream and career as a professional musician.
Since working with Usher, Aaron has played worldwide and some of the most popular TV shows in the USA. At the 2005 Grammy Awards he performed "Caught Up" with Usher, and "Sex Machine" with the "Godfather of Soul", James Brown. Aaron himself was nominated for a Grammy in 2004 for his production of the songs "Superstar" and "Confessions(Interlude)", both from Usher's "Confessions" album from 2004. In 2006 he won the Modern Drummer's Reader Poll as "Best Up and Coming Drummer" and in the same year took part in the magazine's Gospel Summit.
Aaron has played with Ariana Grande, Gideon Band, Chrisette Michelle, Chamilionaire, David Cook, Joanne Rosario, Lil Wayne, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Chaka Khan, Adam Lambert, Israel Houghton, Usher, Backstreet Boys, Lady Gaga, Tiziano Ferro. He also accompanies the "American Idol" tour regularly as a drummer.