Robbie Fritz
JJ Weeks Band

SETUP

Classic 15" hats
Classic 18" crash
Classic 19" crash
Classic 22" ride

Robbie Fritz was born January 23, 1982 in Plant City, FL. He began playing drums at age 4. His family was very influential in his love of music. His brother was the drummer for Christian rock band called Refuge. His brother introduced him to the drums. His father was his first teacher and continued to push him to perfect his craft. Robbie's father was a former guitar player for the Bellamy Brothers. He had a great ear for music! At age 7, Robbie started traveling with his parents playing southern gospel. "I remember sound checking and I would end a song like 'I'll fly away' with a long roll that sounded like something from Rush's 'YYZ' and my Dad would just look at me, shake his head and say 'less is more son'". Later in life, Robbie found himself teaching the same thing to young musicians.

All through elementary and junior high school, Robbie studied music. By the time he reached high school, he was reading full Jazz charts. After high school Robbie moved to Nashville, TN where he attended college on a basketball and music scholarship. When he wasn't on the road playing basketball, he was downtown playing every show he could find. He also played with a Christian band that he formed with some friends in college. Robbie moved back to Florida to be with his family when he found out his father was very sick. During this time, he continued to play with different bands and began giving private lessons. In 2002 Robbie's father passed away and 11 short months later his mother also passed away. Soon after his parents passing Robbie and his newlywed wife moved to Georgia. After getting settled in a new town, Robbie began to have a whole new outlook on his playing. He had experienced a lot of life changing events in the last couple years and wanted to make his parents proud. "At that point I took all my training and all the different styles of music I had learned, from southern gospel to jazz to rock to pop and created my own groove which started landing me some good gigs". In 2007, Robbie went on the road with Jason Crabb -former lead singer of the gospel group the Crabb Family. (The Crabb Family has won 10 Dove Awards, had 16 #1 songs and been nominated for 3 Grammy Awards.) Jason won a Grammy and Dove Award for his first solo debut album. Robbie traveled all over the world with Jason Crabb. They played 200 plus dates a year and saw thousands of lives changed through this ministry.

In 2009, Robbie came off the road with Jason and went to work in his home church. He also began giving private lessons and doing session work again. Robbie then connected with lead singer JJ Weeks of the JJ Weeks band( a Christian pop/rock band). He started playing one night a week with some of the band in a trio. After playing some spot dates with them, he knew that they would soon be on the road together. In 2010 Robbie became a member of JJ Weeks Band. They are currently playing over 150 dates a year and have just released their 3rd album. Their latest album (All over the World) was produced by Scotty Wilbanks (Keys Player for Christian Rock Band Third Day). They currently have two singles “What kind of Love” and “Is it Ever” in heavy rotation on Christian radio and has reached #8 on the charts. They are signed with INPOP Records and Brickhouse Entertainment.

As well as being a full time touring/recording drummer Robbie is also a well know session player in Nashville, Atlanta and Macon. He has worked with producers such as Scotty Willbanks, Tyler Hayes, Greg Barnhill, Mark Lee, Otis Redding III, Jan Smith and many more…

Robbie is also a teacher and clinician. In 2011 he felt the call to start putting on clinics but not the average clinic. Robbie has a clinic called D.R.U.M.S. It stands for Discipline, Relationships, Understanding, Ministry and Success. Robbie not only teaches the technical side of drumming but also what it takes to get gigs and how to find “THE GROOVE” and most importantly MINISTRY. Robbie shares his testimony about life experiences and how the passing of his mother and father at an early age affected his life and his passion for music and how seeing lives changed through music and ministry is my goal. “I want anyone that attends my clinic to walk away not only a better player but a better person too”.

Some of the artist Robbie has had the opportunity to share the stage with; Mel McDaniel, Loretta Lynn, Collin Raye, Richie McDonald, Sawyer Brown, Vince Gill, Sonny Sweeney, Crabb Family, Jason Crabb, David Phelps, Michael English, The Isaacs, Gold City, The Perrys, Booth Brothers, The Dove Brothers, Brian Free and Assurance, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Gaither Vocal Band, Salvador, Phil Driscall, Israel Houghton, Byron Cage, Mary-Mary, Martha Munizzi, Andre Crouch, Eddie James, Leeland, David Crowder Band, December Radio, Instereo, Audio Adrenaline, Newsong, Third Day, David Richt, Bebo Norman, Dave Barnes, Big Daddy Weave, Royal Taylor, Jamie Grace, Newsong, Mercy Me and many more....

Robbie has also made appearances on Trinity Broadcasting Network, Daystar Television, Great American Country and Gospel Music Channel His two most memorable shows are the Grand Ole Opry with Vince Gill, Loretta Lynn, Mel McDaniel and Sawyer Brown and the University of Tennessee's Stadium in front of 22,000 people for a Christian event called Winterfest.

"I thank God for all the many blessings he's given me and for allowing me to make an impact on people's lives through the talent he has blessed me with!" Jer33:3