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

James Riles and his group of Atlanta Drum Academy players who will perform on this Sunday's "Little Big Shots" on NBC on April 8, 2018. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

James Riles and his group of Atlanta Drum Academy players who will perform on this Sunday's "Little Big Shots" on NBC on April 8, 2018. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
By
April 6, 2018

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.

ExploreRELATED: The Atlanta Braves' Heavy Hitters drumline profile

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

About the Author

Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.

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