Terry started playing drums when he was 9 years old. in junior high he put together a drum line and marched behind the Crescent City Strutters in most of the parades in New Orleans. During that time, Terry had the opportunity to play with a Dixieland Jazz Band called Buck Brown and the Rhythm Masters.

He then went on to play with Dean Landry and the Satins, which was a wedding band. At 15 years of age, he got a job with Bobby Cure and the Summertime Blues Band playing a wide variety of music at weddings, private events, and many nightclubs in the area. After a long stint with the Summertime Blues he went on to work with the Sandpipers Band that played weddings and large events.

Talented enough to be able to play drums in different styles, Terry subbed playing music with a variety of New Orleans bands whenever they needed a drummer. When the world‘s fair opened up in 1984, Terry worked with Dejuvue the entire time. Then, life took over and he and his brother opened a boat business temporarily leaving the music business behind.