Rudy Gowern has been involved with percussion for almost 30 years. He marched in corps for the first time at the age of 6 in the Heightsman Drum & Bugle Corps from Arlington, MA. Subsequently, Rudy marched in the Citations of Burlington, S.T.A.R. of Revere, Boston Crusaders and aged out in the 1993 Star of Indiana. He has finished 3rd (93) 5th (92) 4th (91) and 7th (90) at the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Snare Drum Championships.

Rudy served as the Percussion Director and Arranger for Magic of Orlando (94, 95), Phoenix (95) and the Boston Crusaders in 1996, 1998-2001. He also was the caption head for the Crusaders from 1999-2001. Rudy is currently the Marching Percussion Marketing Manager for the Pearl Corporation.