BOARDMAN, Ohio — After listening to student rock ensemble Project Mayhem run through a version of “Homegrown,” Daniel de los Reyes shared some advice.
“There needs to be camaraderie” with the rhythm section, he said. “Even if you’re not looking at the drummer and bass player, pretend like you are!”
Reyes plays congas and other percussion instruments for country-American supergroup Zac Brown Band. He and Chris Fryar, drummer for Zac Brown Band, visited Boardman High School on Tuesday afternoon to share musical and professional advice with about 40 members of Project Mayhem.
A key takeaway from the two percussionists came from their own hearts — and instruments.
The music has to get you moving, de los Reyes advised the students. “The most important thing is the rhythm, the groove… but with perfection,” he said.
The student ensemble has become known for its annual classic rock concerts, with electric guitars, drums, a string section and at least a half dozen powerful voiced singers. This year’s Project Mayhem concert, on May 15 at Boardman High stadium, attracted 2,300 spectators.
The Boardman High music department won a 2026 Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants. It’s the ninth time the department , led by Bill Amendol, has won the honor.
The school reached out to Zac Brown Band to invite members to come to the school.
De los Reyes and Fryar spent approximately 90 minutes in their workshop with Project Mayhem. They discussed their careers, including how they got started, and answered questions from the students.
The two also performed several songs with the full ensemble, including ZBB hits “Chicken Fried” and “Homegrown.” Fryar seated himself on the drum kit while de los Reyes played the congas.
They demonstrated what they meant by playing together, pausing the song from time to time to deliver advice on how to improve the segment.
“Don’t hold your breath when playing,” he told some violinists. “It messes with the timing.”
At another point, Fryar guided student vocalist Lucas Mitchell on how to bring the ensemble back up to speed before the final verse of “Homegrown.”
The goal wasn’t just to play a few songs together, though.
“i want to make sure you walk away with something valuable and profound, that helps you in your life,” de los Reyes told the students.
The two took a personal approach, sharing wisdom they learned along the way.
Reyes grew up in a musical family in Las Vegas, where his father was a professional drummer. As a child, he sat in with his father on many practices with top national singers.
Fryar, of Birmingham, Ala., took up the drums in high school, then briefly studied music in college before quitting to become a professional artist.
Both artists told the students they still practice for hours every day.
Making music your only goal was the recommendation they gave the students who want to take that career path.
Fryar told the students how he first learned that lesson.
He was a music major at a tiny college in Mississippi, and failing all of his classes. One day, his instructor, a Prof. Montalto, took a moment to ask him why he was even going to school.
“To get a degree so that I’ll have something to fall back on if the music doesn’t work out,” Fryar replied.
His instructor then set him straight.
“If you have a Plan B, you will only use Plan B,” he said. “I suggest you quit school and join a band.”
Fryar did just that.
His career took a huge leap in 2008 when he was brought into the Zac Brown Band. He and de los Reyes, who joined ZBB in 2012, both earned Grammy Awards as members of the act.
Zac Brown Band won Best New Artist in 2010, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 2011, and Best Country Album in 2013.
After receiving one of those Grammys, Fryar got a phone call from an old acquaintance. It was Prof. Montalto, congratulating him on his success.
“It was a beautiful full-circle moment for me,” he said.
Before sending the students home, Fryar left them with a bit of advice that originally was spoken by Nick Saban, legendary coach of the University of Alabama football team.
“Practice until you can never do it wrong,” he said. “I invite you to do that. It will carry you far.”
Savannah Moorman, an electric violinist with Project Mayhem, was excited to spend time with Fryar and de los Reyes.
“It’s a surreal experience,”said the senior. “I was in disbelief that we have this opportunity. It’s a great way to end my senior year.”
Attracting the Zac Brown Band artists reflects the quality of Boardman’s band program, she said.
“It shows the caliber of our playing, that we get the attention of these nationwide artists that sell out arenas,” she said. “It’s cool to play music with them that I used to listen to [with my dad while] growing up.”
Pictured at top: Chris Fryar and Daniel de los Reyes of the Zac Brown Band pose with members of Project Mayhem, the student rock ensemble at Boardman High School. The two professional musicians visited the Project Mayhem group on Tuesday.