DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / October 18, 2000

LAPLACE – Jermaine Steib has been beating the drums since he was 3 years old. Earlier, it was more likely to be pots and pans, but know he’s playing afull set now and it’s taking him to Germany.

Son of Yolanda Jackson and Russell Steib, Jermaine attended East St. JohnHigh School and Louisiana Tech in Ruston. All along he played the drums, withgospel being the style that most inspired his heart. He describes gospel as astyle of “courage and motivation; just listen to the words.” All of his life he’sbeen listening to his mother playing gospel on the record player. Songs fromnames like Andre Crown and the Rev. James Cleveland came pouring out ofthe speakers, and Steib was hooked.

Currently, Steib plays in some gospel choirs: Ninevah Church in Metairie, Watson Memorial Church in New Orleans, Rejubilation in Thibodaux and with Deville Crawfish at the House of Blues.

The group traveling to Germany is called The 12 Children, a gospel group under the direction of Donald Smith, who regularly takes groups overseas, said Steib. They were looking for a drummer and Steib felt this would be a bigopportunity for him.

“It’s a once in a lifetime chance to go outside the country,” said Steib.

The trip will last for 10 days, starting Friday. The group will tour differentchurches and such, performing gospel for the citizens.

Steib has already taken his talent to Chicago to study with the likes of the Rev. Clay Evans and Walt Whitman. He traveled there last year to play withthe Chicago Social Children. Eventually he came back to the River Parishes.”They’re food is not the same, and I love to eat,” said Steib.

Steib has been played now for 19 years, if you count the pots and pans. At22, he’s playing hard and has no intention of stopping.

“God gave me a talent and I’m going with it, never going to give up,” he said.

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