Ryan "Thumper" Goodpastor
Inducted October 6, 2019 HOF #720
B.
Ryan “Thumper” Goodpastor
Inducted October 6, 2019
#720
Ryan grew up listening to his dad play Western Swing, Irish tunes, and Bluegrass on the mandolin, fiddle, and banjo. At the age of 5 he picked up some drum sticks and started banging on pots and pans. From there he grew to appreciate a wide variety of music and learned to play the drums. An early influence on Ryan was watching Sacramento’s Jazz drummer Johnny Peacock play with the local swing bands led by Jim Whitehead and Charlie Gehlbach. His interest sparked attending the Sacramento Dixieland Jazz Jubilee, an annual California event, and eventually led to playing at the Jubilee during high school and college.
Ryan received a Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from California State University, Sacramento.When Ryan first started out he played drums regularly at an open jam session in Gold Run, CA put on by a local fiddle player. Years later in 2008 Ryan was asked to join The Stardust Cowboys, led by Gary Campbell, where he truly invested himself in western swing music. A primary reason Ryan was anxious to join the band was to play their “original” western swing music and the opportunity to keep this unique genre alive. The Stardust Cowboys dubbed him with the nickname “Thumper”. His dedication and energy to driving a solid rhythm was right on the money.
His broad experience in jazz and orchestra percussion added a sensitivity that readily shows off his multiple talents. The nickname was a natural! Highlight performances for Ryan include playing with the Stardust Cowboys at the annual Sacramento Western Swing Society Hall of Fame Festivals, the Northwest Western Swing Music Society Hall of Fame Festival (2009), the Sacramento Jazz Festival, the End of Summer Hot Jazz Jubilee, the Three Rivers Jazz Festival, Summer Concerts up & down California, and the band’s Tribute to Bob Wills Shows. It was a privilege to be complimented by Texas Playboy drummer Johnny Cuviello when he showed up at a County Fair performance to watch the band. A recent career highlight was being asked by Nashville recording artists Carolyn Martin and Eric Lewis to play in their band for a Patsy Cline tribute show (2016).Recordings:
Ryan recorded drums on two albums with the Stardust Cowboys: Ridin’ Back to You which earned Album of the Year from Academy of Western Artists and How the Cowboys Swung the West. He is a guest musician on What’s Left of the West by the Old West Trio. In the group Chronic With a K led by Leigh Stephens, the original guitarists for Blue Cheer, Ryan played drums on Ride the Thunder and is included on the compilation album A Fourth Wave of Bay Area Blues. He played on the recording El Dia de los Reyes by Camerata California. Beyond drums and percussion instruments, his talents stretch to the technical side of production. Ryan was the Assistant Engineer on The Sacramento Film Orchestra recording Creative String Ensembles (String Ensembles / Quirky / Drama / Minimalist). Other credits include Executive Producer on Bamboo Rising, Mountain Hermit’s Secret Wisdom, and Sacred Root: Kung Fu Flute & Buddhist Blues (Shakuhachi Unleashed Vol. III) by Cornelius Boots.In addition to the Stardust Cowboys, Ryan performs with the Tepid Club of Cool, Sticknwithit, and Wild Duck playing Western Swing, Gypsy Jazz, Standards, and some older Rock ‘N Roll. He has been performing with the Auburn Symphony since 1991 and is a regular member of the Folsom Symphony and the Sierra Nevada Winds. In addition, he occasionally performs with Sierra Master Chorale Orchestra, Fremont Presbyterian Orchestra, Camellia Symphony Orchestra, and assists with the Placer County Youth Orchestra.
In a more recent adventure, Ryan is playing drums for musicals produced by Sierra Stages. A native of Placer County, Ryan lives in Auburn, CA where he is involved in many community music & arts projects.Biography for: Ryan “Thumper” GoodpastorAddress – 201 Olive Street, Auburn CA 95603Phone – 530-320-4524Email – trapsound@gmail.com
