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 Six-foot-four powerhouse drummer Jeff Kathan and his two band mates carefully step into position on the darkened platform of the two thousand seat venue. This New Year's eve near capacity crowd spy on images on stage and roar in anticipation. Prerecorded music builds as the announcer introduces perhaps one of the most recognized voices in rock's history: Paul Rodgers.
 
 The slap of the two sticks is heard as Kathan counts out loud, hits a short drum fill on his well tuned resonating D.W. kit, and sets the band into a solid 96 B.P.M. pocket for Rodger's "Burning Sky". In fact, this night would be full of rock classics requiring a faithful and unyielding groove and the suits the hard hitting, hard working drummer just fine.
 
 At 48, Kathan is living his dream as a player in a national touring act. He's backing a Grammy Nominee who has written and recorded hit songs like "All Right Now", "Radioactive"' "Feel Like Makin' Love"' "Seagull", and many more. Rodgers, who has been the voice of "Free". "Bad Company" and "The Firm" is still rockin' the world in live performance and Kathan is right there with him.
 
 Kathan knew that he wanted to play drums at eight years old. It was during a visit to Colorado that his grandfather pulled out an old 78 RPM record and introduced the youngster to Gene Krupa's drumming. Kathan was hooked.
 
 In the 8th grade Jeff mowed lawns like a madman to buy his first set of drums. His band "The Outcasts" played on the local cable channel and at parties. The tunes they played then included "House of the Rising Sun", "Gloria" and as much Beatles material as possible.
 
 In the years to come Kathan would pay his musical dues taking on drum duties for many bands in the Seattle area by night while cleaning carpets by day. His perseverance and relentless drive to lay down a solid groove eventually led to studio work with producer Mike Flicker of Heart fame.
 
 In the Early '80s Heart's prominent producer enlisted Kathan to lay down tracks for an A&M Records band called "Dixon House". Within a month Flicker again called on Kathan, this time it was to record drum tracks for long standing Canadian group "Trooper".
 
 Kathan came close to his drumming desires when, while laying Trooper tracks, Flicker asked Kathan if he would be interested in auditioning for a new talent named Bryan Adams. Adams chose a local Vancouver player instead. "He Broke My Heart" says Kathan, "I knew he (Adams) was going to be big."
 
 Kathan didn't give up. He continued to woodshed. His solid style evolved and his chops improved. "I spent years playing with a click track. I was playing with a blues band the last two or three years before auditioning for Rodgers and it was really great for me. It gave me a lot more feel, a lot more soul in my playing and expanded my horizons as a drummer".
 
 As his network was building, he also found himself playing on stage with (former) Heart guitarist Howard Leese's solo act. Ultimately it was Kathan's willingness to go the extra drumming mile that, in 1998, helped him land his gig with Rodgers.
 
 "I got the first call on this gig. Somebody that knew (Rodgers) manager saw me play one time... and of all the places in Winthrop, Washington. Rodgers was looking for a band out of the Northwest because he lives in B.C. So the manager (Chris Crawford) called me. Sure I want a shot at it! Absolutely. but I already got the band. We are already do "Free". We're totally into Paul Rodgers."
 
 That band was Howard Leese, bassist Jason Boyleston and Kathan. Eight days later the trio performed a list of eight songs given to them for an audition. They remained true to the material and made an impression. Crawford states, "the band nailed the gig. they didn't miss a note." With that band received another eighteen songs to memorize and have at the ready for a coming tour.
 
 "Then," says Kathan "we almost lost the gig". The day they cinched the job as Rodgers' band, Ann Wilson of Heart called Howard to say "we're going on tour". Luckily, guitarist Randy Hanson was available to fill in for Leese. Hanson did 25 shows with Rodgers while Leese was out with Heart. It worked out perfectly. Hanson had a commitment for Europe just as Leese returned from the "Heart" tour.
 
 Kathan's new found status has also lead to product endorsements. VATER was the first to give support. "They were incredible. They gave me my first shot. They reached out to an unknown guy right when I needed it. And I needed sticks bad'. Kathan now is supplied with VATER gloves and has his own signature stick: VATER 2B wood. On top of that he is endorsed by D.W. Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Remo Heads, and is supplied by Shure with mics for his kit and dual driver in ear monitors. "All of these companies have been really great to me," he says.
 
 Recently Kathan, who is heading into his 4th year with Rodgers, graduated to band leader. Leese and Boyleston decided to stay closer to home so Jeff recruited two Seattle player for the road. The new unit is preparing to tour the U.K. with Rodgers in February.  Not one to rest on his drum throne, Kathan states that he feels he has to earn this gig every time he plays. "You can't take this level for granted", he says. He hard work, past and present, are evident. His playing is strong and solid in time and feel and he still does his own kit set up and tuning.
 
 As Kathan says, "I'm proof dreams can come true... I never gave up... and I always strive to be the best I can be". Watching Kathan's conviction and hearing his strong foundation in a live setting is telling. He is one drummer that just "Can't Get Enough".
 
 by Rick Sloot