In Cool Cleveland's ongoing vYbe feature, we hook you up with 20-somethings who have something more to offer creatively and intellectually. A product of the camaraderie of the Cleveland music scene, Steve Renko - a local 15-year-old drum prodigy - is on his way to the Grammys this Sun 2/13 as part of a hand picked nationwide search for young talent. Steve will not only be performing in a special pre-Grammy and post-Grammy production, he will also accompany sessions with seasoned performers. Cleveland has been a regular breeding ground for musicians and this drummer reiterates how our area has continued to belt out staying power in the music arena. Recently, Cool Cleveland correspondent Marc Majercak sat down with Steve Renko (SR) and his dad Mitch Renko (MR) before a recent sold-out show.

Cool Cleveland: Let me get this right; Steve has been drumming since he’s been 16 months old?
Mitch Renko: My wife [Steve’s Mother] called me at work ecstatic. He [Steve] had just turned a year old and starting playing a toy drum set over at a friend’s house. He had just waddled over and picked up the sticks and just started playing.

Do you remember the first time you played the drums?
Steve Renko: No, I don’t really remember anything until I was like 5 or 6 years old.

Is that when you started taking formal lessons?
SR: I did not start taking lessons until I was 9.
MR: In his early years, most of his training I didn’t really teach him, but he would watch me all the time. The only real education I gave him at that time was I would get different styles of music from the library and just bring them home. I took a little bit of everything. Some of the things he wasn’t capable of playing yet, but he was trying to figure ways to make the sounds come out of the drums. I think it really helped his ears a lot and how to play in the context of different styles.

From the sound of it, your dad is a great drummer as well. Not to overuse a cliché, but it is like father like son. It seems the awakening of a great drummer is not only the environment that you are exposed to growing up, but genetics has something to do with it?
MR: I think there is a huge genetic component with most kids who can play music really well. It seems either their parents played or their uncle played; it is rare that one becomes a musician without having someone in the family that is already a musician.

I can relate to that because I was adopted and no one in my family is a musician. I blew the dust off an old church organ in my aunt’s basement when I was 13 and continue to play by ear today. The big difference here is that you are going to the Grammys; tell us about that.
SR: I sent in an audition videotape of me playing a couple of songs and different styles of music. I found out about it through my teacher Steve Enos. He has been very critical of my development as a percussionist.

I can’t wait to hear more about your teachers, but what exactly will you be doing as part of the Grammys?
SR: I am going to be a part of the High School All-Star Band that only a select few students from across the nation get to play in. This will be during the pre-show and the post-show events. We also get to play at different jazz clubs in the area. The coolest part of the trip is that we get to play at a party where all the stars that are nominated will be. Then we get to go to the Grammys too. I get to back Al Jarreau and Eric Marienthal on a song.

I was looking at the band line-up and it looks like you’ll be the only Grammy drummer. This has got to be nervous and exciting at the same time?
SR: Yes, I will be the only drummer for the most part. There is a piano trio that plays with the choir. They pick people and put them where they think they are the strongest.

What style of music do you feel you are strongest at playing?
SR: It’s Big Band because that is what they picked me for. I play better with a Big Band instead of a small group.

How did you get connected with the Cleveland Big Band sound and where are you musically today?
SR: I have been playing with the Ernie Krivda band now for a year. Playing with this band has been great.

It seems you are heavily connected with the Cleveland music community and in turn they continue to be very supportive of you?
SR: Oh yeah, that’s basically the only reason that I am around. I’ve been going out to jam sessions around town.

Who gave you your first break locally?
SR: Allen Green and Butch Armstrong were the first two guys that let me up on stage to play with them. I was 10 years old at the time.
MR: I used to hide Steve in the back of the place and then when Allen would ask if anyone wanted to come up and play, I would then ask if it was okay for my son to come up and play drums. Then Stevie would come walking up and the band would start looking around like, “who is this kid?” I would tell them it’s alright, give him a chance. I have to say Butch Armstrong, Allen Green, Ernie Krivda and Steve Enos from Tri-C have been so nurturing to him. He couldn’t have been playing at the level he is playing now without them taking him under their wings and helping him. You have to play with people that are a lot better than you that are willing to coach you and offer advice to get to a higher level.

Tell me more about the Cleveland Music Scene, what has been your experience?
MR: The scene in Cleveland is very supportive of new talent. You must have the right attitude, be patient and be willing to learn. Through the jam sessions, Steve was able to go up with the bands, watch and learn. His ability to keep up with them improved. When there was an opportunity to fill in, the bands became confident that he could. Even if he didn’t know the songs, they gave him a chance.

I know you are only 15 and you graduate high school in three years, but is being a drummer something you want to do professionally? Was there ever a time you wanted to quit?
SR: Yes, I want to do this as long as I possibly can. I love it. Maybe there was a time I wanted to quit.
MR: This is such a demanding profession. You have to work really hard. In Cleveland it is really difficult to make a living as a musician.

Is there anything else that you have as much passion for as playing the drums?
SR: I am interested in Architecture, but not as much as drums.

What is interesting is that both fields have a very creative angle to them, however they both are structurally oriented. Drumming is the core of the band much like good architecture creates a strong building.
SR: If you usually see a drummer that isn’t up to par, the band usually isn’t any good. Being a drummer, you are the core of the band and you keep everything together.

What drummers have you thoroughly studied?
SR: Tony Williams is a good jazz drummer. He was a child prodigy that played with Miles Davis. He was able to change the way the instrument was played.

Who is your a favorite percussionist?
SR: My favorite one is my teacher Bob McKee. He is a great drummer and legend in our region. He hasn’t only made a name for himself locally but he has taught for over 50 years influencing many successful drummers all over the country.

Maybe one day you can be teacher and pass on your knowledge?
SR: Exactly, that is what it’s all about. I now have the responsibility and take what I have learned and pass it on along with whatever I can add to it.

Where do you rate yourself and what do you think you can contribute to your profession?
SR: I need some work, but if I didn’t have any room for improvement, I’d get bored. My playing is unique because I combine jazz with punk rock.

Do you have any advice that you would give to someone that is looking at a music career?
SR: Yes, I would say play as many different styles of music as possible. Be totally open to everything.
MR: At one point you may specialize, but a young player should not devote himself or herself to any one style of music. They are too young to figure out which one they may end up playing. You should listen to everything.

Do you feel being a drummer is underrated?
SR: It can be, but drums are a necessity. I feel that drums are more important than guitars because you don’t see too many bands without a drummer.
MR: The nature of our popular music is rhythm oriented. The drum is a relatively new instrument and it has changed throughout the last 70 years. It’s an exciting time to be a drummer because there is so much more to do.

Besides performing at the Grammy’s on February 13, what else is on the horizon?
SR: I am working on graduating from high school but in the meantime, you can also catch me the last Tuesday of every month with Ernie Krivda’s Fat Tuesday Band at Savannah’s. I am also working on a punk rock CD with my band, “The Hit List."

Interview and photo by Marc Majercak marc@majercak.com

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