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Besides playing the accordion, Mackender's love for the drums began at an early age. He played in school bands from the 6th thru 11th grades (marching, concert, jazz) and played his first bar in 1968 while in the 8th grade...Bricks Lounge and Steakhouse in Olsburg, Kansas, which is still in business. Funny how the wages for playing in bars hasn't changed that much. Dig the basement den? He still has the large Zildjian cymbal, the one four times bigger than his head there... |
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Mackender in 1966, Kansas, USA |
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He went on to play in numerous bands in Lawrence, Kansas, including a five year stint with 88 Records recording artist Kelley Hunt. After a move to Tucson in 1989, he toured the states, Canada and Australia for seven years with the Mollys, an Irish-Tex-Mex band that released five CDs. Hat Trick, released in 1997, made the Washington Post's top 10 that year. Mackender still has a love for drumming and can be found late at night in his studio shining up his maple Gretch kit. He freelances in Tucson and is available for gigs and session work. |
Mackender in 1999, New Zealand |
"To believe is very dull. To doubt is intensely engrossing. To be on the alert is to live, to be lulled into security is to die." - Oscar Wilde, Oscariana, 1911
