Podcast Creator/Host, Drummer/Singer, Drum Industry Veteran.
Born December 18, 1960, John DeChristopher grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, and began playing drums at age 11. He received his first drum set for his 12th birthday. A self-taught drummer, he joined his first band at age 13 and at 14 he joined “Trigger” and was playing regularly throughout the Boston area. After graduating high school, he planned to attend Berklee College of Music and during a gap year, began working at E.U. Wurlitzer Music in Boston, eventually being promoted to Drum Department Manager, while continuing to play professionally throughout New England and making invaluable connections in the Music Industry, many of which would become key figures in his life.
In 1985, at the height of the electronic drum market, John relocated to Los Angeles to work for Simmons Electronic Drums. There he developed lifelong relationships with many of LA’s top drummers and began to transistion from professional drummer to the business side of the Drum Industry. In 1986, John was recruited by Don Lombardi of Drum Workshop as Sales & Artist Relations Manager for the launch of DW Drums in January 1987. He remained in Los Angeles until the end of 1988, when he relocated back to Boston.
Having firmly established himself in the Drum Industry, in May 1989 John accepted the position of Artist Relations & Promotions Manager for the Avedis Zildjian Company, being hand-picked by Armand Zildjian himself. During his long and productive career at Zildjian, he reached the position of Vice President, Artist Relations & Event Marketing Worldwide and enjoyed numerous achievements during his 24 year tenure. His role at Zildjian touched many areas of the Zildjian’s business including the launch and management of Zildjian Drumsticks, Producing Zildjian events, product development, marketing, advertising, and education. Most notably as Vice President of Artist Relations at Zildjian, John developed relationships with many of the world’s most iconic drummers, signing many artists who went on to become drumming superstars, and producing several major events for Zildjian.
In 2013, John retired from Music Industry, and rekindled his passion for playing drums. In 2014, he began Consulting, and founded Viper Representation, managing longtime friends and legendary drummers, Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Rick Marotta and Danny Seraphine. That same year, he joined the band “Grand Theft Audio” reuniting with friends he played music with 40 years earlier.
In 2020, John created the podcast Live From My Drum Room With John DeChristopher! a series of conversations with legendary drummers and Music Industry icons, drawing from John’s five decades in the Music Industry. Ranked the #1 Drum Podcast by FeedSpot in 2024 and 2025, his show continues to grow in popularity. In 2024, John created the Live From My Drum Room Scholarship with the Percussive Artist Society (PAS) which enables a student to attend the annual PAS Convention.
Throughout his 30 year career in the Drum Industry, John served two terms as President of the Percussion Marketing Council, and was the recipeint of the Percussive Arts Society President’s Industry Award in 2008.
