NEWS

2-year-old drummer lights up YouTube

Leonard Hayhurst
Community Content Coordinator
  • Jaxon Brown%2C 2%2C has 876%2C000 YouTube views on his playing of "The Pretender" by the Foo Fighters
  • Jaxon is the son of Justin Brown and Jennifer Young%2C formerly of Coshocton and now in Canton
  • Jaxon learned to drum by watching videos of his dad and others%2C then mimicking what he saw
  • Jaxon uses Lincoln Logs to drum on anything in the house when he can't make it to the drum set

CANTON – Justin Brown shared a video of his son Jaxon Brown, 2, drumming on YouTube just to show a drummer friend what a proud papa he was.

In little more than two months, a clip of Jaxon playing "The Pretender" by the Foo Figthers has scored more than 890,000 views. The family, formerly of Coshocton and now in Canton, appeared on an Australian talk show, via satellite, as the Foo Fighters' Australian tour had generated major interest in Jaxon's video.

Justin Brown and his sons Jaxon Brown, 2, and Blayten Young, 6. Jaxon’s drumming has become a YouTube sensation, with more than 890,000 views.

Junkin Video, a YouTube video licensing company, has even picked up Jaxon as a client to promote his jamming. He's just not some kid banging on a toy drum. Professional drummers can see Jaxon keeping the beat, hitting drums and cymbals when he needs to and, most of all, the passion in his performances.

Justin said the world is Jaxon's drum kit and anything can be a drum stick. He'll pick up Lincoln Logs and pound on the couch, walls, coffee table, anything. Justin said that, when Jaxon started crossing his arms, he got the feeling the toddler had an idea of what he was doing.

"After about 18 months (old), he stopped just hitting things and was actually keeping a beat," Justin said.

Justin keeps an electronic drum kit in the basement, where he practices with his band, Invoke the Crow. Justin drummed for Broken Saint while living in Coshocton. He and Jennifer Young have another son, Blayten Young, 6.

When Jennifer is downstairs doing laundry Jaxon climbs up on the drum kit and goes to town. Jaxon has a Nabi and uses it to watch videos of his dad and others playing online. Jaxon follows along with the drumming and singing.

It makes Justin laugh when he sees Jaxon's video of "The Pretender" and he reaches over like he's adjusting the hi-hat cymbal. Justin does the same thing in his video of the song, and Jaxon thinks that's part of playing the tune.

Justin is a self-taught drummer and doesn't see getting Jaxon lessons, as he wants his son to develop his own playing style. Justin does want Jaxon to join band when he reaches school age. Justin played for bands at Coshocton and River View high schools.

Justin doesn't hope Jaxon keeps playing, he knows he will because of the passion he's shown. Justin doesn't think his boy will ever stop playing.

"It's not annoying, but he constantly wants to go downstairs and play drums. If you don't let him go, he throws a fit," Justin said. "He's very adamant about wanting to play the drums. That's like his favorite thing to do."

llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com

740-295-3417

Twitter: @llhayhurst

Jaxon Brown, 2, at his father’s drum set. The former Coshocton family has achieved some fame thanks to more than 890,000 YouTube views of a video of Jaxon playing “The Pretender” by the Foo Fighters.