Atlanta Drum Academy kids appearing on 'Little Big Shots' Sunday April 8

Posted Friday, April 6, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

James Riles, a former drumline man at Morris Brown College who appeared in the "Drumline" movie in 2002, started his own Atlanta Drum Academy on the southside seven years ago.

He has been teachings drumming for several years and his youth group will appear on this Sunday's "Little Big Shots" on NBC at 8 p.m. hosted by Steve Harvey.

I visited the group earlier this week in Riverdale at New Direction MMA studio where they rehearse. The kids range in age from 5 to 12. Over the years, Riles - a former teacher - has attracted 125 kids to work with him.

Riles said the show found their videos online. The youngest troupe member Evan Wright said he likes to drum because "it's fun." They've performed with the Battle of the Bands and the Bronner Bros. Hair Show. He is trying to expand to other parts of Atlanta, having just begun in DeKalb County.

Here's a Facebook Live showing some of their moves:

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