Jim Donovan is more than just a drummer. The Greensburg resident serves as the lead singer and mastermind of the Sun King Warriors, which released an album (“Jim Donovan and the Sun King Warriors”) earlier this year that's getting airplay on radio stations from Anchorage, Alaska, to Tampa, Fla. A founding member of Rusted Root before leaving the band in 2005, Donovan's on the faculty of St. Francis University in Loretto, Cambria County, where he teaches courses in world music, African music, hand drumming as well as performance-oriented fine arts classes. Donovan also conducts drum workshops across the United States and is the author of the book “Drum Circle Leadership: Learn to Create and Lead Your Own Transformational Drum Circles.”
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life and why:
Johnny Depp, because he is flexible enough to transform himself into anything he chooses. Plus he's got the right facial hair.
Childhood hero and why:
My dad and mom (it's a tie), because they always did whatever it took to keep us together and instill a strong work ethic and values
The piece of memorabilia from my childhood I wish I still had:
My first toy drum from Florida.
The superpower I wish I had in real life and why:
Teleportation. Do I really need a reason!
Favorite app:
Hummus & Pita … and Google Maps
The song I want played at my funeral:
“Dance to the Music” by Sly and the Family Stone. I want at least several hours of songs, drumming and dancing.
What dessert matches your personality?
Cake…. layers and layers.
Which Disney character are you?
The crab in “The Little Mermaid”
Who's your favorite TV or movie villain?
Samuel L. Jackson (Jules Winnfield) in “ Pulp Fiction”
Movie I could watch every time it appears on cable:
“Spaceballs”
The movie that always makes me cry:
Almost any emotional scene does this… I am a Pisces
If I was auditioning for “American Idol,” my song would be:
“Don't Believe the Hype” by Public Enemy
The first band I saw in concert (when and where):
Eric Clapton, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Maryland
The best concert I've ever seen:
Tie: Barry Manilow at the Civic Arena with my pregnant wife (her idea), and Clutch
Favorite guilty pleasure:
Late-night Sheetz
Something I would do over if I could and why:
I would have played 75 percent less Atari and spent it on refining my musical skills
Pick one: Pirates / Penguins / Steelers / Other / I hate sports:
Buccos
My favorite Pittsburgh athlete:
Cutch
Favorite lunchtime spot:
Mr. Bones in Greensburg
The most dangerous thing I've ever done:
Double-decker sled riding down dirt roads.
Top thing on my ‘Bucket List' to do before I'm gone:
See the Far East
Best vacation ever:
Second grade trip to Florida with my grandma Olga.
In five years, I'd like to:
Make another Sun King Warriors album and finish a book on the power of sound.
I wish I had more time to:
Write
Three people I'd love to have dinner with:
I prefer to dine alone
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
On the Pittsburgh Pirates
In high school, I was:
Awkward, average, stubborn, obsessed with music
If I could go back, I'd tell me teenage self …
Don't try so hard. You're already fine.
My worst job:
Picking rocks to clear a new field for a farmer
I'm deathly afraid of:
Letting fear rule my decision making
Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark.
Duquesne Incline
The person I'm most often mistaken for:
Jim DiSpirito (the other good-looking former drummer of Rusted Root from the ‘90s)
My most memorable fashion mistake:
The 1990s (Watch the “Send Me On My Way” video and you'll understand)
If I wasn't a musician, I'd be:
A neuroscientist
The last book I read:
“Sound Medicine: The Complete Guide to Healing with Sound and the Human Voice”
My favorite website:
Quora
The song that always gets me out on the dance floor and why:
“Play that Funky Music”
Happiness is …
playing music with my kids
My personal motto is …
“All in”
Overused phrase you hate most?
“Really?”
People would be surprised to know that I:
Was a member of the Future Farmers of America in high school, so I could play in the state FFA Band.
