Gordon was born in Whitburn, West Lothian in 1964, and from an early age showed a keen interest in Drumming. His Father, Tom, taught him on and off during those early years, but it was in 1976 at the age of 12, that he took it up seriously.

He joined the Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Novice Juvenile Band in November that year, where his dad was already teaching the youngsters and the then Grade 3 Corps.

A few months later, in February 1977, at his first attempt, Gordon gained 6th place in the Juvenile Section of the World Solo Drumming Championship. That season, Gordon and the Novice Corps went on to win the Drumming in the five Major Championships, and also every Drumming competition they played in including Grade 4 events.  

In 1978, the Grade 3 Band was upgraded to Grade 2 and Gordon became a member of that Drum Corps under the leadership of his dad, Tom.

During the seasons of 1978 and 1979, the Grade 2 Drummers gained about every major championship-Drumming award and also as a Band. On the solo side, Gordon steadily moved up the prize lists at the Worlds and other Solo Drumming events, including winning The World Juvenile Solo Drumming titles in 1980 and 1981.

It was during this time that he started to get involved in teaching at his dad’s famous “Tuesday Night Drumming Class”. It is interesting to note that just about every Drummer involved at present with the Boghall Grade 1 Band, came through Tom’s famous school.

Gordon and the Boghall Band were promoted to Grade 1 Status in 1980 and in their first season, they won the Cowal Drumming Championship. The next three seasons saw them lift a fine hat trick of World Drum Corps Championships; 1981, 82 and 83, as well as every other drumming award. This continued throughout the eighties and included another World Drumming Title in 1986. One of the proudest moments and memories for Gordon and the Boghall Drum Corps was being the first Drum Corps to win the “Alex Duthart Memorial Trophy” for the Grade 1 Champion of Champion Drum Corps.

Boghall’s Novice and Juvenile Corps also won the Title in their respective grades that season.

Gordon then started helping out with the Novice and the Juvenile Drum Corps within the Band, enabling them to go on and win numerous Major Drumming awards throughout the eighties and nineties.

In 1991, Gordon took over as Leading Drummer of the Grade 1 Corps from his dad and it didn’t take him long to win his first Major Drumming Award as Leading Drummer when the Corps won the European Drumming Title that same year. To date’ Gordon has won the Scottish, British, European and Cowal Championships on numerous occasions with both the Corps and as a Band, as well as winning The Best Drum Corps and Bass Section at the 2001 World and Cowal Championships. They also won the Best M.S.R. Drumming award at the 2002 event

It was in 1994 that Gordon’s life long ambition came true when he gained 1st place in the World Solo Drumming Championship. He had made it through to the final on several occasions and was placed 4th in 1993, but to have won such a prestigious award in 1994 was a dream come true. Gordon achieved 1st place again in the 2002 event. He had been placed in the top 3 at the Worlds in between these two wins.

Since Gordon became involved in teaching, he is now realising another ambition, by following in his father’s footsteps with this as well. He has taught throughout Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Eire, Brittany, Switzerland, Denmark, South Africa, The United States and Canada. Through his achievements as a solo player and as leading drummer of the Grade 1 corps, he has had invitations from all over the World for teaching workshops and seminars.

Looking to the future, on the teaching side, he would hope that like his dad Tom, he can unselfishly continue to pass on what he regards as a Noble Art, especially to youngsters, to make them the Drummers of the future.

On the Band scene, the ultimate goal must be to win the World Championship with the Boghall Band. With the hard work and dedication put in by Gordon, the Drummers and the rest of the band, it is hoped that this will not be too far away.

Gordon is a fully qualified Trainer/Assessor (SVQ D32, C25), therefore his teaching skills are being used at all times. He is currently the Principal Drumming Instructor at The Strathallan School and The Glenalmond College, both in Perthshire.

Gordon and his dad Tom have their own Drumming Supplies business where they have their own T.G. Drumming branded product line. They also published their Debut Book, titled, “Something Old Something New” in 2001, with more planned publications in the pipe-line (or drum-line to be more accurate!!)

Gordon is also involved with Andante on product development of their highly successful Reactor Snare Drum.