It’s the amazing Hollywood story—again.
Legend has it that Lana Turner was discovered at a soda fountain. Donn Garrett of Bothell was discovered at his son’s modeling agency.
Modeling and acting mark a new phase in the life of this 49-year-old who has an average build, a crewcut and Paul Newman blue eyes. A drummer, he’s already achieved a measure of fame for his music but, starting Friday, his picture will ride on the side of Metro buses.
He won’t be easily recognized; he’s wearing a Daniel Boone cap driving a convertible in a Pemco advertisement. His son, Brandon, 13, has been in the spotlight for years and is modeling this week for Union Bay.
After growing up in Entiat, Garrett moved to Seattle and attended community college until student loans ran out. He then traveled for years making a living as a drummer and singer in bands that played mostly top 40 songs.
He has an older son, Andre, who is 19. Donn Garrett’s music career began in grade school when he raised his hand to play in the school band.
“I fell in love with the drums,” he said. “I loved the Beatles. Ringo was my idol.”
He has played with Alan White, Reek Havok, Shelley Tomberg, Steve Fossen, Tony LaStella, Somar Macek, Steve Rice, Rick Knotts, Richie Castellano, Jeff Ganz, Chris Slade and many others.
Garrett writes songs and records with lead-guitar player Dennis Jackson of Everett, who said Garrett is quite the punster.
“He’s always got some kind of a funny twist on words,” Jackson said. “He does voices, too, like George W. Bush or Beavis and Butt-head.”
He continued: “Donn is one of the top drummers in the Northwest. He is really a great singer and well-respected.”
Their creative work can be heard at Reverbnation and iTunes on “Brilliant Mis-Takes” and “Between Home &Here.”
Garrett also is featured on page 229 of a drum book called “Stick n Skins.”
For his listening pleasure, Garrett said he loves John Mayer and the blues. Friends and family call him the King of Birthdays. Once he knows a birthday, he never forgets.
He was discovered a few years ago while accompanying Brandon. His son’s agent said Garrett should do print work.
“I said ‘I’ve got a day job,’ ” Garrett said. He’s the maintenance supervisor for a large apartment complex.
The agent wore him down. He submitted a photo known as a “head shot” last summer.
The phone started ringing immediately. He gets job offers almost daily by e-mail and text messaging.
His Pemco picture will be on buses and billboards. What he does is called lifestyle modeling, Garrett said.
“I compare this to the famous Dex guy,” Garrett said. “He probably got an e-mail one day. Maybe he was a computer programmer.”
He said he might get serious and take some acting classes, but music is his passion.
“I love the power of drumming,” he said. “You see people wiggling in the audience. You have a direct connection with somebody. It’s a celebration.”
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com
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