Drummer James Moses, a native of Shreveport, La., has been a musician most of his life, but his day job is as a professor of history at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR, where he has taught modern American history since 1999.  James is the author of a number of journal articles as well as an award-winning book, and thoroughly enjoys research, teaching, and his interactions with Tech students.

Though trained in trombone and low brass, Moses has always had an affinity for the drums, going back to his high school garage band days in the 1970s.  He has been an active drummer for many years, and when his good friend Jeffrey Neuhauser asked him to help realize his vision of a working classic-era rock 'n' roll band, Moses eagerly joined with Jeffrey, Jim, Andy, and Bruce to form The Back Beats. To help him lay down those sweet, classic rhythms for the Back Beats, Moses plays Sonor drums outfitted with Remo and Aquarian heads, Zildjian K and A series cymbals, and Meinl hi-hats.