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Drummer on the brink of homelessness still trying to teach

There are musicians who make it big time and tour the world and there are musicians who, for some reason or another, never get the break they deserve!

William St. John is living in a tiny makeshift studio in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District and he is a struggling musician. He has his drum kit that he loves to teach students on, and next to that a can of tomato soup, a box of popcorn and a box of frosted flakes near a microwave.

He has one passion in life and that is to teach people about music and life and how they relate - "Life is music" he said.

Now in danger of losing his South Commerce Street home this week because he shares space with an antiques store that has just gone out of business, he will now have to think of some creative ways to store his drum equipment while continuing to teach.

This isn't the first time he has been homeless, or close to homelessness, working for a temp agency a few years ago he earned enough money to rent a small downtown Las Vegas apartment and run car but there just wasn't enough for a down payment on musical instruments - so he stopped everything and he slept in his sleeping bag under a tree in a park off Charleston Boulevard and went to work everyday washing up in a nearby coffee shop.

Keeping photos of items in his wallet as a simple reminder of his future goals - "It's what kept me alive when i was homeless," he said. The conversation becomes more emotional as he chats about life in a New York orphanage after suffering physical abuse at the hands of his biological mother. His fingertips trace along a 1-inch scar on the side of his head.

"Frying pan," he said. He said that she was a young mother and didn't have any idea how to handle children. It was at the orphanage that he met older people who treated him kindly. Bad behavior meant going to bed with no milk and cookies, no "Batman" TV show and being assigned a book report from the most recent issue of National Geographic -- a far cry from the beatings he endured at home in his younger years. Photos of a young St. John reveal a happier childhood, being raised by sisters with large "flying nun" hats.

Leaving the orphanage at 18, he travelled across the country, playing with bands along the journey - rather than just talking about technique he slides behind his white drum kit and, gripping a pair of sticks, starts playing - Jazz, Latin, Rock, R&B.

He said he played with Lynyrd Skynyrd and filled in at practice gigs with Smokey Robinson and Celine Dion. He's played with casino bands. He also played with the Area 51 Experience. He knows Johnny Mathis and has a reference letter signed by his sister-in-law, Irene Mathis. When reached by phone, Irene Mathis confirmed that she wrote the letter and sang the drummer's praises as being "incredibly gifted and talented."

He is very relaxed when he plays drums - truly in his own element - everything that has happened, the sad stories, the abuse, seems to just fade away. He doesn't just talk about the notes, he chats about the history of the drum kit and why certain beats exist.

St. John has taught several students and conducted clinics throughout the city. He is currently trying to find a space in the library to perhaps continue his teaching, $30 per hour or $20 per half hour, he says he would feel guilty charging more. The uncertainty of living on the streets again is never far from St. John's mind, but wherever he ends up, drumming lessons are sure to follow.