The Dale Justice Band's Rohan Zachariah Helps Young Students Learn the Drums

Rohan Zachariah on stage as a member of the Dale Justice Band (publicity photo).

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Rohan Zachariah isn't just the drummer for the Dale Justice Band. He's also a teacher for scores of young drummers who take his online classes to learn the drums.

“I love to play the drums whether I’m on stage, in the studio or by myself I love it!” Zachariah said. “Having these students, young and old, wanting to learn the drums is exciting to me and makes me want help them make their musical dreams come true.”

As a founding member of the acclaimed outlaw country music group The Dale Justice Band, Zachariah is preparing for the band’s tour in January and the release of its new album, but he remains devoted to his students who have made his online class a central part of their lives for the past year.

It was just a couple of years ago that Zachariah began his online class after young fans asked if he could teach them how to play the drums. Having taught the drums in his native India years earlier as a struggling musician, he had an affinity for teaching and encouraging students to work hard and learn the instrument.

He was particularly fond of teaching children with physical challenges who learned to overcome their limitations and learn to play the drums with skill and creativity. His patience and encouragement were the keys to his success.

“Had a student couldn’t control his limbs but he started moving them and soon he was able to move his hands and legs was able to coordinate them better,” he recalled. “So I missed that and when I decided to start the online classes, I found so many talented students that it’s become a passion of mine. I love watching them grow into truly talented musicians.”

Born in Chennai, India, Zachariah grew up listening to his father’s favorite rock bands like Queen, Deep Purple, Boston and others. He developed an affinity for the music and eventually gravitated to playing the guitar, keyboards and drums, before settling on drumming. He would go on to earn a film production degree at Madras University but all the while had the intention becoming a professional drummer. 

After earning his masters in electronic media, to appease his parents, Zachariah was already playing with a number of top rock bands in India such as The Misfits and The Bureaucrats, ultimately performing on national television in India. But he knew he had to come to America to find musical success.

Within a year of arriving, veteran musician Dale Justice tapped Zachariah to join him in the new band he was forming that would echo the musical legacy of such country music legends as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.

Those interested in Rohan Zacharia’s online drumming course, may e-mail rohanzachariahdrumming@gmail.com. 

For more on Zachariah, visit www.facebook.com/rgz007/.

Rohan Zachariah Brings his Love for Rock Music to Country's Dale Justice Band

Rohan Zachariah keeps the beat for the outlaw country band The Dale Justice Band (publicity photo).

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Growing up with a love for rock music in his native India, Rohan Zachariah may not have dreamed his future would lay in music closer to Johnny Cash than the Rolling Stones. Today, the young drummer is the backbone of the outlaw country band The Dale Justice Band as it prepares for a new fall tour and new album.

“Being a part of this band with such a great group of guys is a dream come true,” Zachariah said. “I didn’t know much about country music when I met Dale Justice but when I went to audition I felt at home playing with them – I had spent all night learning all 10 songs they wanted me to play – but I loved it!”

Already, Zachariah is preparing for the tour that will take him before the band’s rabid fans who love its outlaw country style that echoes the music of such country music pioneers as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and others. The band, made up of singer/guitarist Dale Justice, guitarist Felix Matthiessen and Zachariah, will kick off its tour in January.

“We’re really excited about the tour and having Rohan keeping a solid beat for us come hell or high water!” Justice said. “The way he plays, it’s like he was born to play country music but in actuality, he grew up playing and listening to rock in India and he grew to embrace country music!”

Born in Chennai, India, Zachariah grew up listening to his father’s favorite rock bands like Queen, Deep Purple, Boston and others. He developed an affinity for the music and eventually gravitated to playing the guitar, keyboards and drums, before settling on drumming. He would go on to earn a film production degree at Madras University but all the while had the intention becoming a professional drummer. 

After earning his masters in electronic media, to appease his parents, Zachariah was already playing with a number of top rock bands in India such as The Misfits and The Bureaucrats, ultimately performing on national television in India. 

“But I knew I had to come to the U.S. and learn from the best at Musicians’ Institute,” he recalled. “It’s the only place on earth where you can have Chad Smith from the Chili Peppers sitting next to you, telling you how to play.”

But while still studying, Zachariah met Dale Justice and was soon a founding member of the new band that would make Roanoke, Virginia its home base after some brief travels. 

“Working with these guys has been amazing. You get to know each other so well that once we’re on stage we already know what the other will do,” he said. “We’re currently putting the final touches on the album so we’re very excited about this first album releasing early next year!’

For more on Rohan Zachariah, visit www.facebook.com/rgz007/.