We thought it would be fun to share some “inside info” about the people in the band that we call Simplicated.

Over the next six weeks, we will introduce you to each band member, including the instrument(s) they play, how long they have been performing, and whatever else would seem appropriate for the page.

“We enjoy performing and having fun, and I know we are all looking forward to 2021!”

Someone has to go first, and our drummer Ray Worden volunteered to be the “lucky one!”

Ray resides in Gretna, Nebraska, and is now a self-employed instrumental music teacher. Ray teaches private lessons on all school band instruments and also Violin, Viola, and Cello. Ray was formerly employed as a public school music teacher in several schools in Northeast Nebraska.

Ray is a veteran of many bands in Nebraska and South Dakota and has played drums and percussion in many genres, including classical, jazz, rock, and pop.

Some of Ray’s influences:

Kansas

Led Zeppelin

Boston

Emerson Lake and Palmer

The Police

Buddy Rich Big Band

And many others…

Drummers that Ray admires are:

Buddy Rich

Carl Palmer

Phil Ehart

Steve Gadd

Tommy Aldrich

And many others…

Ray is one of the founding members of Simplicated and is very proud of the progress the band has made in the past five years.

Fun fact:

Practice is normally held at Ray’s house each week.

We greatly appreciate Ray’s wife, Vickie, for being very tolerant when it comes to “refining of new songs.” I am certain that it might sound like nails scraping on a chalkboard at times! Thank you.