Percussion PassionWhen not performing my creative advertising and branding services for my clients I might be found pounding on drums.
My ad agency services and creative talents were my career and music was always happening along the way, on the side, here and there, and it was a true passion. A long history of photos are shown below: 
It was 1968. We played all the Big Halls. - By big halls I mean the lunch room at Dexter High School. LOL
Another Transformation Michigan gathering. Non-stop praise and worship for 5 hours.
Our band, United Sound, opened for Bob Seger in 1970.
Yes, our band, United Sound (Ted Graham, Tom Peterson, and myself) opened for Bob Seger in 1970. Big freakin' deal, it was. I created the poster with my amateur hippy-style hand-lettering.
Blue Tuesday's famous Blues Jams at the Michigan Theater, Oct. 2019
For several years a ministry I am on the board of, Transformation Michigan, would put on 5 hour non-stop praise and worship gatherings all around the state. They were very effective spiritually. At this event we had a 10-pc band. I am behind the grand piano on percussion.
I was a long-time member of Dick Blank's band "jazzPRAISE", Every winter we would play at the prison in Adrian. Inmates comments were interesting: "jazzPRAISE is the best musical performance that I have attended in my entire 28.5 years of incarceration. / They put a lot of energy in their performance and it came off right on me. / This concert took me right out of here. Like I was at a concert hall. / For a short time I didn’t think I was in prison. / The drummer is insane and should be in here with us."
Kelly Trudell (with her Nashville band) Tribute Concert @ the Jackson Potter Center, Veterans Day, 2010. I was honored to be play percussion for her. I also did the advertising and promotions for this event.
One of many live gatherings with Kim Clement. Performed percussion for Kim for 7 years every time he visited Detroit.
A very precious memory. Backing up "The King Brothers sing The King (Elvis)". Performing live on WCBN radio from the University of Michigan Union. Band featured Billy and Kenny King with their late father, Ken King on guitar. The crowd went nuts over Billy and Kenny and for good reason - they were excellent.
Honored to be asked to be Billy King's drummer for the P.O.P. Festival in Nashville. Billy's writing skills are excellent. And the energy level was awesome.
Ted Graham and his Kings of Funk band. New Orleans, French Quarter, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville. This is a precious memory to have been able enter into the New Orleans music scene.
Insane energy at the Ann Arbor Hash Bash Drum Circle, 2013. That's my sweet wife Kathy in the red plaid coat.
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Intense pounding, praise and worship, along side of Jim LaCross on drums, for 5 hours, non-stop. Transformation Michigan state-wide gathering.
Teaching kids percussion and controlled silliness at a summer camp for kids.
Another Transformation Michigan gig. Non-stop praise and worship for several hours.
Performing with Chip Kipps and his band at the Loving Touch in Ferndale, MI. That is the amazing Wayne David Parker doing absolutely perfect Rod Stewart vocals all night long.
The power of leading kids in jamming and worship music. We did a praise ministry with the Kid's Explosion ministry throughout the summer months of 2010 thru 2012. Also featured in photo: saxophonist, Dick Blank, with the white hat on and State Trooper Larry Rothman, the biggest kid in the group.
Played drums in the Jackie Burger band for the many MarkDrake.org meetings in Ann Arbor.
Percussion & Drumming Testimonials
You made noises with every thing you touched since the day you were born. It drove me nuts. ~ My Mother
. . . . . . . . . . Bill Latocki plays with a joy of music and life. His positive energy will put a smile on your face. He is a sensitive musician – always listening and reacting to the music. ~ Paul Vornhagen - Professional Jazz musician, recording artist . . . . . . . . . . It was a thrill working with Bill once again in New Orleans. Playing in New Orleans over the last 20 years has afforded me the opportunity to work with some real greats and genuine musical legends. Over my 50 musical year career Bill is one of the top percussionist I've ever performed with. His enthusiasm and spirit is second to none, made all the more amazing when combined with his professionalism. There is always a spot on my stage for Bill. ~ Ted Graham, Ted Graham's King of Funk/Mutt Records, New Orleans . . . . . . . . . . In one instance, the prophet Elisha, during a struggle to hear the voice of God, called for a musician who ministered on his instrument, which in turn unlocked the truth from the prophet's heart. Bill Latocki does not "play" his percussion instruments, he gives them a voice. His anointed sound passes the soul with a greeting and then enters into the spirit of man, awakening it with sounds of triumph. Before you know it, you are driven to jubilant and extravagant praises. For me personally, nothing awakens the prophetic revelation inside of me more than the sound of the Holy Spirit in musical instruments. Bill has resurrected truth from the tomb many times during my spiritual gatherings, reminding me of the eternal truth that can never lay dormant. - Kim Clement > About Kim - CLICK HERE . . . . . . . . . Bill Latocki has sat in with me on several occasions, and always adds some great percussive touches to the music. My favorite is when I'm playing acoustic guitar and Bill adds his thing - he makes the music sound full, like there's a full band. It's a pleasure to perform with him. ~ Chip Kipps, Recording Engineer, Ron Rose Productions / Singer-Songwriter, Performing & Recording Artist . . . . . . . . I have known Bill Latocki for several (5) years and he has faithfully played drums and percussion for many of our Transformation Michigan state-wide gatherings. I have never seen a person play with such passion as Bill. He truly inspires those who are on the worship team as well as those who are part of our conferences and prayer gatherings. Bill totally absorbs himself as he plays before the Lord - not for show - but as one who sees and understands the intimacy of the Lord. He plays softly at times and as a warrior desiring to see Godly intervention. ~ Rick Warzywak, State Director Transformation Michigan and State Coordinator for The Oak Initiative . . . . . . . . . Hi Bill, I am not sure if I can put into words how much I enjoy playing with you! Psalm 33: You play skillfully, you have great timing, you feel the music, you know when to bring the tempo up or down and you do it in unity with the other musicians. You enable the others musicians to play to their full potential. Psalm 150: Everything about you praises the Lord. I very much enjoy your playing praise and worship music at Foholo camp last summer with Pastor Steve Meszaros, the was a highlight of my summer. Great Music! ~ Reverend Rick Braman, Bass guitar, Worship leader . . . . . . . . . . Playing along with Bill has advanced my drumming by leaps and bounds. When we play together we just sort of bounce off of each other and make music for the Lord! He has taught me a lot simply by playing together. He is also an asset to the band, Jazz Praise. The leader, Dick Blank, has told me several times that Bill brings the right rhythm to his songs and that Bill is the only drummer who feels the music Dick has written for his group, "jazzPRAISE". I have witnessed Bill playing percussion for Kim Clement when Kim is in the Detroit area and can see how he adds to the performance of Kim's band. I have also attended meetings in Ann Arbor where Bill played a drum kit for the Ann Arbor House of Worship band. He is an awesome drummer. ~ Reverend Jim Sarvello, Percussionist . . . . . . . . . Hi Bill! - Brother, You have an anointing on your drumming to set an atmosphere for worship. God bless you my friend. Love you! ~ Pastor Jimmy Suddeth, City of Zion pastor and choir leader . . . . . . . . . I just love Bill's drumming. He is an invaluable member of jazzPRAISE both for his passionate drumming and his passionate faith. Also I have been blessed by his imaginative and sensitive drumming countless number of times in our free-form spontaneous Wellspring Praise gatherings. ~ The Rev. Richard Blank, songwriter & leader of jazzPRAISE. . . . . . . . . . Hi Bill! I just wanted to thank you for worshiping with me last weekend. It was such a great time, and I really enjoy you, and enjoyed your playing. It was encouraging for me to look across stage during worship and catch your glance, and watch you pound away on the percussion. I loved it!! You have such a great spirit about you! I definitely would like to worship together again in the future! I'll keep in touch. Thanks again for everything, and God bless you!!! ~ Jeff LaCross, September 15, 2011 - Singer-Songwriter, Recording Artist Hello Bill! Thanks for playing with us. WE LOVE YOU!!! God has anointed your hands for worship and war in the Spirit. You are such a talented and gifted musician. It was our honor to play with you and I pray we get to worship together again soon!!! ~ Alicia LaCross, September 13, 2011 - Vocalist Bill, Sure enjoyed meeting you & Kathy and worshiping with you. It was incredible!" - Jim LaCross September 18, 2011 - Drummer |
Performed percussion for many yearly Lazy B's Ranch fundraisers. Led by Chip Kipps and his amazing band members. Great musicians. Never a dull moment.