Original; please fave that as well because it deserves a fave:

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/27241506/

---

Seen here about to play a drum cadence so that the circus performers can march in, Graham Gurdetha is the leader of the percussion section of the marching band that represents the Circus of the Superstars, or COTS (of which its ringmaster, Rolf the Wolf, doubles as drum major.

Here's the bio:

---

Graham Gurdetha

Species: Grizzly bear
Alternate name: none
Age immortalized: 30
Circus occupation: percussionist in marching band playing snare drum
Other occupation: percussionist in Wildcat City symphony and philharmonic orchestras, all-around musician and composer
Circus clothing: orange drum major's uniform with shako, the shako has a white plume and silver musical note; he marches barefoot
Other clothing: black tuxedo with black bowtie in orchestras, barefoot
Background info: Graham is the direct descendant of William Gurdetha, Wildcat City's greatest furry percussionist; the latter got his start beating drum rolls on a snare drum for a circus, and later went on to play in marching bands and orchestras, earning him the honorable dub "the J. Burns Moore of the animal kingdom." Graham holds these very jobs to honor the family tradition and continue it, although he claims that decision had nothing to do with groupthink plaguing the city and stating it was unethical to dishonor your family by not upholding traditions, and that it felt wrong to be modernized. When the band is standing or seated during a circus performance, he stands in the front row off to the side (so that he doesn't block the view of other band members), and sometimes when beating a roll, the spotlights will be on him as well as Rolf (though all eyes are probably looking at Rolf). When marching in a parade, Graham is one of two snare drum bears (the other has asked that his name not be mentioned) to march directly behind Rolf, with the band's banner behind them, and the rest of the band follows (a reference to the ending scenes from the 1962 film adaption of the musical "76 Trombones").

Graham has worked alongside Prof. Leonardo Williams of the Battlefield Music Academy in producing and presenting video tutorials for learning musical instruments. He also campaigned to get a few Krieglandonian immigrants to play in the bands and orchestras he is in; he has admired how music is like second nature to them, and he wants them to be an inspiration to all people all around the world, while supporting their choice to blend in with the local culture of their choice.

Superpowers: none
Arch-nemesis: none
Personal quote: "I'd be such a fool if I didn't beat the drums the way I do. The drum roll for each act or announcement can vary, but I do think Gerry might get the longest ones sometimes because there's no telling how long we have to wait for the big 'KA-BOOM' to thrust him out." (during an interview)
"If you as a drummer don't feel a sense of pride and satisfaction when standing still, or somewhat of a sense of patriotism when on the march, then you have really got something wrong with you." (signature line from one of his tutorial videos)
Circus catchphrases: none
Other catchphrases: none

---

Artwork ©  BlueMario1016
Character © me and me alone