After more than two decades of drumming, the renowned and very well-respected Zoro is still making an indelible imprint within the pop music world. Talented musician, accessible mentor and deeply committed Christian, this Zoro attempts to leave a mark that is profound and lasting upon those it touches.

      Musically, Zoro is very much at the top of his game. He has toured and recorded with—and continues to tour and record with—a wide range of top artists including Lenny Kravitz, Frankie Valli, Jody Watley, Sean Lennon and Bobby Brown. The readers of Modern Drummer and Drum! magazines have named him No. 1 R&B Drummer at least six times. His best-selling instructional books and DVDs and workshops, including clinics at Sam Ash and Guitar Center outlets, have earned him the distinctions of Best Educator and Best Clinician.

      But amidst all the acclaim, this "Minister of Groove" has one base passion as the metronome of his life. It is his Christian faith, and he is very outspoken about it and shares it with others at every available opportunity.

      "I am filled with the joy of the Lord and I let it come out," says Zoro. "Whether I play at the Grammys or I am broke [which he has been], I have the joy of the Lord and that is what people connect with. I have ministered and witnessed to all that I work for, and because it is real and relevant no celebrity has ever turned it down."

      That drive has certainly not cost him any gigs or sullied his reputation. In fact, it has become a distinct marker and he is not usually rebuffed for his efforts. "Most in the music business are in search of spirituality of some kind, and most gravitate to Eastern religions since they are more mystical and less committal," he states. "Yet most are not anti-Christian but are more turned off by hypocrisy."

      This is why Zoro works so hard to avoid hypocrisy by living a consistent life. A seeking spirit does create opportunities, but seeing someone actually live what he says he believes in all circumstances is the most powerful evidence of all. It also makes it difficult to not earn respect from others, even when there is not complete agreement with the ideas being presented.

      Zoro notes that, "The greatest witness is when they see [his faith] reflected in my life. I am in the minority of Christians who stay Christian in this secular world I am a part of. I live it in front of them but do not ram it down their throat. Yet the closer I am with God, the more anointing on my playing and the more it gets noticed and allows me to give the glory to God. For that not to happen would be weird."

      An intense work ethic is also part of that consistency. He admits to being very productive and does not squander the time he has been given, especially when he is on the road. For example, instead of partying during downtime, he used his hotel room to write and create much of the material that went on to appear in his book and DVD projects. And he continues to work that way today.

      Working hard affords protection from the obvious trappings of rock and roll touring and provides satisfaction to know that the time away from his wife and two young sons is being used well. It also allows him to play hard with his family when he returns home, though he does burn quite a bit of midnight oil after the children are asleep.

      With a Christian witness this bold, it may be surprising that Zoro has only just begun to make an impact within Christian music itself. His mainstream commitments have kept the calendar very full in the past, but this year he plans to perform at Christian festivals in the summer and may have the opportunity to record with some Christian acts.

      In fact, 2007 is expected to be the most diverse year yet for Zoro. He plans to ramp up his preaching and speaking engagements, particularly those at local churches where youth are motivated to not fear pursuing the calling on their lives, as he has done. He will also continue to work as a spokesperson for Compassion International, a Christian organization that provides sponsorship for underprivileged children in poor nations.

      And be assured that no matter what else Zoro decides to tackle this year and beyond, it will be done with his trademark passion and zeal. "I do not think that all are called to be as tenacious as me," he states. "I have an evangelistic nature and God has placed me in high-profile positions and opened doors because I do not care [what the response may be]. Many are intimidated by celebrity status, but I am not. I have seen so many successful people who do not have peace, joy or purpose, but only have sex, drugs and rock and roll."

      For more information on Zoro and his products and speaking engagements, visit www.zorothedrummer.com.