Carlos Saucedo Jr.

Location: Laredo, TX

Challenge: Bilateral(double) above knee amputee

Carlos Saucedo Jr. started playing drums around 1997. He says he has been a musician as long as he can remember.

He adds "I started playing sax in 7th grade, did the whole marching band thing, great experience by the way! Then did a few gigs here and there after high school".

He says "Unfortunately I lost both legs above the knee on October 2013 due to a botched surgery. I re-learned to play drums a few months later. Although it was a challenge, due to excess pain and unable to balance well on my drum throne, one of the biggest obstacles was putting parts together to be able to play my kick drum and use my hi-hat stand properly".

Carlos has been playing all kinds of gigs, church band, weddings, bars, tailgate parties, etc. He has also played with all types of bands, punk, rock, country, jazz, funk, death metal, pop, and pretty much anything they've thrown at him. He adds "My history with the bass aint too long, I dabble I guess. Picked it up after having trouble getting musicians to help me record, so I learned how to lay down my own tracks and not worry if the bassist was going to show up or not".

Some of Carlos' biggest drum heroes are classic masters, Vinnie, Weckl, Rich. He adds "Lately I've found so many new drummers that have also blown my mind!! Chris Allison(Plini), Chris Coleman, Aaron Spears and a whole other guys and gals that are making some amazing music out there".

Carlos adds "I've never let my disability keep me from doing the things I love. To be able to do many of those things, well it costs money (drums, cymbals, heads, stuff) so I work full time and I also went back to college as a full-time student". Carlos and his wife just had a baby boy, so he keeps him on his phantom toes. He adds "My amazing wife and three beautiful children are my biggest inspiration!!"

He says "I'm hoping to connect with more musicians that might be going thru similar challenges as me and also offer them my support. I would also love to gain new friendships, inspiration and maybe even collaborate with the Can-Do-Musos global family!"