Bio- Billy “ThUmPaH ” Ferraro realized his “destined” instrument just days after receiving a toy drum on his first Christmas at the age of 9 months old. The relationship of boy and drum quickly became comparable to the one Linus Van Pelt shares with his blanket. Fast forward to 4th grade when he eagerly enrolled into the school music program and was devastated to learn that all of the drum chairs were already spoken for by his older peers. Despite finding himself in the...ahem… ”flute section” (the only boy), he stuck it out and excelled to the point where his instructor encouraged him to seek more advanced lessons because of his natural ability. Looking back it wasn’t a total loss, as it did teach him how to read music (something that would come in handy a few years later). During the “flute years” he continued to plead for drum lessons and a drum kit. As a result of his persistence, devotion and possibly to thwart the further destruction of dashboard, pot lid, mattress and ottoman “drum kits”... his parents landed him a REAL drum kit and it was on!
However, something that shouldn't be overlooked here,  is the patience and understanding exercised by all (family and neighbors) who were living in and around the family 3 tenement in South Lawrence during these "developmental" drumming years. It wasn't at all uncommon for him to spend an entire day locked in his 3rd floor bedroom at the drums. In hindsight, he can't fathom how they put up with it and knows full well that if not for their perseverance this musical journey may have ended right then and there.

 While studying with respected instructors like Jim Lattini (who lucky for him is his step-dad's cousin) and Berklee professor Bruce Gertz, he was cutting his teeth with countless local bands and musicians in many different genres. A few bands that he has performed/recorded with in no particular order are: Fortune, Sweet Roy Jones, Erick Preston's - Jimi Hendrix Experience, BarrNone, Legion of Doom, Analog Kidz, Love Stained Rhythm, The Tom Dixon Band and he has performed in former Boston Celtic forward Walter McCarty's "Save the Music Foundation" backing band. 
 
 If asked to list ONLY 10 musical influences that had the most impact from the beginning to the present, they would read something like this - Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones, Joe Morello, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Phil Collins, Neil Peart and Tommy Lee.
 
 His passion for drumming is obvious, though he contends that drum kit customization (designing/“theming”) is just as stimulating a creative outlet as playing. Since the start tinkering with his drums and hardware was something he just loved to do. In the early years this usually took place when it was past “playing hours”, so the brainstorming would typically take place from 8pm to whenever. A hobby fueled by an overactive creative streak and the inevitable indifference he finds with his drum kit's: finish/color, dimensions, timbre, configuration, portability or mounting limitations. It is also a hobby he hopes to one day parlay into at least his part time vocation….stay tuned! 


Billy's Gear:
Proud Sabian regional artist!  He plays RB Custom snare drums exclusively.
An array of constantly changing drum kits (LUDWIG)a handful of sticks, a bit of  hardware, boxes of Muppets/Peanuts/Disney band aids, neosporin and a modest supply of orange or lime green duct tape.

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