Shawn Pelton
Encyclopedia
Shawn Pelton is a New York City-based studio and session drummer. Pelton has worked with the Backstreet Boys
, Sheryl Crow
, Shawn Colvin
, Bruce Springsteen
, Celine Dion
and Billy Joel
. He also is the longtime drummer in the house band for the NBC
TV network's sketch comedy and music program Saturday Night Live
.
's prestigious Jacobs School of Music
in Bloomington, Indiana
, according to Drummerworld. The school's website lists classical violinists Joshua Bell
and Jacques Israelievitch
, composer Hoagy Carmichael
and Memphis R&B legend Booker T. Jones
among its alumni.
Attending I.U. from 1981 to 1985, Pelton studied with Kenny Aronoff
, who at the time was drummer for John Mellencamp
, Drummerworld reported. Mellencamp lives just a short distance away from Bloomington. During summer break, Pelton sought out experts elsewhere. "I also had the privilege of hanging with Alan Dawson
for a couple of summers," he told Edge. The Massachusetts-based Dawson, legendary in the jazz world, may best be known as an early teacher of Tony Williams -- drummer for Miles Davis
.
During his time as an I.U. music student, Pelton also tried his hand at teaching, according to the Bloomington Herald Times newspaper. The Times also reported that Pelton conducted private drum lessons for a local high school student and aspiring rock percussionist. That drummer was named Pete Wilhoit, who years later would go on to circle the world as a member of Fiction Plane
, the opening act for The Police
on their 2007 reunion global tour.
Since 2007, Pelton has been regularly appearing as the drummer on Daryl Hall
's internet concert series "Live From Daryl's House".
Nicknamed "Cat Daddy"http://www.vater.com/education/techtalk/TimSoya/index.cfm by drum tech, Tim Soya
Pelton also serves periodically as the substitute drummer in the CBS Orchestra
on Late Show with David Letterman
during regular drummer Anton Fig
's absences.
Pelton is also the founding member of the NYC-based band, The Cringe
.
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
, Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
, Shawn Colvin
Shawn Colvin
Shawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
, Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
, Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
and Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
. He also is the longtime drummer in the house band for the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
TV network's sketch comedy and music program Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
.
Early life
"I grew up always banging on things," Pelton told DW Edge Magazine, describing his childhood in small town Missouri. His first real musical instrument was a cello in 5th grade. But he quickly "bailed as soon as possible to the drums," Pelton said. "I was running around doing gigs at 14, which was a great situation, actually be in a band that young. The sooner you start making music with other people the better."Musical education, legendary influences
His serious pop music credentials belie the fact that Pelton earned a jazz certificate (and a Bachelor's degree) during his studies at Indiana UniversityIndiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
's prestigious Jacobs School of Music
Jacobs School of Music
The Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, is a music conservatory established in 1921. Until 2005, it was known as the Indiana University School of Music...
in Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
, according to Drummerworld. The school's website lists classical violinists Joshua Bell
Joshua Bell
Joshua David Bell is an American Grammy Award-winning violinist.-Childhood:Bell was born in Bloomington, Indiana, United States, the son of a psychologist and a therapist. Bell's father is the late Alan P...
and Jacques Israelievitch
Jacques Israelievitch
Jacques Israelievitch is a French violinist, and one of Canada's foremost chamber musicians.At 11 years old he was the youngest graduate in the history of the Le Mans Conservatory. He went on to study at the Conservatoire de Paris with Henryk Szeryng and René Benedetti, receiving three first...
, composer Hoagy Carmichael
Hoagy Carmichael
Howard Hoagland "Hoagy" Carmichael was an American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader. He is best known for writing "Stardust", "Georgia On My Mind", "The Nearness of You", and "Heart and Soul", four of the most-recorded American songs of all time.Alec Wilder, in his study of the...
and Memphis R&B legend Booker T. Jones
Booker T. Jones
Booker T. Jones is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and arranger, best known as the frontman of the band Booker T. and the MGs. He has also worked in the studios with many well-known artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, earning him a Grammy Award for lifetime...
among its alumni.
Attending I.U. from 1981 to 1985, Pelton studied with Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff is an American drummer. He has played drums for many musicians, including John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, John Fogerty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, The BoDeans, Gregg Alexander, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tony Iommi, Jon Bon Jovi, Vasco Rossi, Cinderella and...
, who at the time was drummer for John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds...
, Drummerworld reported. Mellencamp lives just a short distance away from Bloomington. During summer break, Pelton sought out experts elsewhere. "I also had the privilege of hanging with Alan Dawson
Alan Dawson
Alan Dawson was a respected jazz drummer and widely influential percussion teacher based in Boston. He was born in Marietta, Pennsylvania and raised in Roxbury, MA. Serving in the Army for Korean War duty, Dawson played with the Army Dance Band while stationed at Fort Dix from 1951-1953...
for a couple of summers," he told Edge. The Massachusetts-based Dawson, legendary in the jazz world, may best be known as an early teacher of Tony Williams -- drummer for Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
.
During his time as an I.U. music student, Pelton also tried his hand at teaching, according to the Bloomington Herald Times newspaper. The Times also reported that Pelton conducted private drum lessons for a local high school student and aspiring rock percussionist. That drummer was named Pete Wilhoit, who years later would go on to circle the world as a member of Fiction Plane
Fiction Plane
Fiction Plane is a rock band from England. Originally formed in London under the name Santa’s Boyfriend in 2001, Fiction Plane is currently composed of lead vocalist, guitar and bass player Joe Sumner ; guitarist Seton Daunt; and American drummer Pete Wilhoit.-Recording history:Fiction Plane’s...
, the opening act for The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
on their 2007 reunion global tour.
'Live from New York!'
He joined the SNL band in 1992. "It’s a pretty mellow gig," Pelton told Paul G. Hichak, according to Drummerworld. "It’s really only 20 days out of the year."Since 2007, Pelton has been regularly appearing as the drummer on Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall
Daryl Hall is an American rock, R&B and soul singer, keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter and producer, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of Hall & Oates . Hall scored several Billboard chart hits in the 1970s and early 1980s, and is regarded as one of the best blue eyed soul singers...
's internet concert series "Live From Daryl's House".
Nicknamed "Cat Daddy"http://www.vater.com/education/techtalk/TimSoya/index.cfm by drum tech, Tim Soya
Pelton also serves periodically as the substitute drummer in the CBS Orchestra
CBS Orchestra
The CBS Orchestra is the house band, led by Paul Shaffer, that plays for David Letterman's CBS late-night talk show, Late Show with David Letterman...
on Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
during regular drummer Anton Fig
Anton Fig
Anton Fig , known as "The Thunder from Down Under" is a session drummer, noted for his work in David Letterman's house band, the CBS Orchestra. Letterman often refers to Fig as "Anton Zip"or "Buddy Rich Jr."...
's absences.
Pelton is also the founding member of the NYC-based band, The Cringe
The Cringe
The Cringe is an indie rock band based in New York City. It features John Cusimano, James Rotondi, Jonny Matias and Shawn Pelton. Their sound is described by critics as "contemporary alternative" mixed with "tried and true rock 'n roll." The group played at the SXSW music festival in 2008 and 2009...
.
Discography
- "Out Of The LoopOut of the LoopOut of the Loop is the debut album by American synthpop duo I Am the World Trade Center, released on July 17, 2001. Less than two months later, it gained some controversy after the September 11 attacks, due to the both band's name and the coincidental title of their 11th track, "September." The...
" by Brecker BrothersBrecker BrothersThe Brecker Brothers was the musical duo of Michael and Randy Brecker , who recorded commercially successful jazz fusion albums together in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. They had a notable hit single with "East River" in 1979...
(1994) - "Picture Perfect MorningPicture Perfect MorningPicture Perfect Morning is the solo debut album by the American singer/songwriter Edie Brickell, released in 1994 . The video for Good Times was included as part of the multimedia samples included on Microsoft's Windows 95 Companion CD-ROM.-Track listing:All songs written by Edie...
" by Edie BrickellEdie BrickellEdie Arlisa Brickell is an American singer-songwriter best known for 1988's Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, the debut album by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, which went #4 on the US Albums Chart.-Life and career:...
(1994) - "A Few Small RepairsA Few Small RepairsA Few Small Repairs is Shawn Colvin's fourth album. It was released on October 1, 1996.A Few Small Repairs is a concept album about divorce, as Shawn Colvin's marriage was ending. At the time of the album's release, she had relocated to Austin, Texas. The biggest single off the album was "Sunny...
" by Shawn ColvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
(1996) - "Taking Shape" by Dana McCoy (1996)
- "Live! The Real Deal" by Buddy GuyBuddy GuyGeorge "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
(1996) - "Little Ship" by Loudon Wainwright IIILoudon Wainwright IIILoudon Snowden Wainwright III is a Grammy Award-winning American songwriter, folk singer, humorist, and actor. He is the father of musicians Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche, brother of Sloan Wainwright, and the former husband of the late folk singer Kate McGarrigle.To...
(1997) - "Marigold SkyMarigold SkyMarigold Sky is the fifteenth studio album by Hall & Oates, released in 1997 on Push Records.-Track listing:# "Romeo Is Bleeding" - 5:05# "Marigold Sky" - 4:59# "The Sky Is Falling" - 4:42...
" by Hall & OatesHall & OatesHall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
(1997) - "Fool's ParadeFool's ParadeFool's Parade is the fifth solo album by Peter Wolf, released in 1998 .-Track listing:#"Long Way Back Again" – 3:43#"Turnin' Pages" – 3:38#"Anything at All" Fool's Parade is the fifth solo album by Peter Wolf, released in 1998 (see 1998 in music).-Track listing:#"Long Way Back Again" (Will...
" by Peter WolfPeter WolfPeter Wolf is an American Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock and Roll musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the J. Geils Band from 1967 to 1983; and for a successful musical solo career to date with writing partner Will Jennings.- Life and career :Wolf was born in the Bronx, New York...
(1998) - "Burning The DazeBurning the DazeBurning the Daze is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, released in 1998.The album peaked at #114 on the Billboard 200 Chart.-Track listing:...
" by Marc CohnMarc CohnMarc Craig Cohn is an American folk rock singer-songwriter and musician.- Personal life :Cohn was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Beachwood High School in Beachwood, a Cleveland suburb. He then attended Oberlin College....
(1998) - "Holiday Songs and LullabiesHoliday Songs and LullabiesHoliday Songs and Lullabies is an album by American singer-songwriter and musician Shawn Colvin, released in 1998.-Tracks:#"In the Bleak Midwinter" – 4:04#"Christmas Time Is Here" – 2:37...
" by Shawn ColvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
(1998) - "Look into the EyeballLook Into the EyeballLook into the Eyeball is an album by musician David Byrne, released on May 8, 2001. The radio edit of the hit of the CD, "Like Humans Do", is a sample track of Windows XP Home Edition , that can be played on Windows Media Player...
" by David ByrneDavid ByrneDavid Byrne may refer to:*David Byrne , musician and former Talking Heads frontman**David Byrne , his eponymous album*David Byrne , Irish footballer*David Byrne , English footballer...
(2001) - "Whole New YouWhole New YouWhole New You is American singer-songwriter and musician Shawn Colvin's sixth album, and also her sixth studio album, released in 2001. It was her first new release in over four years.-Tracks:...
" by Shawn ColvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
(2001) - "How Sweet It Is" by Joan OsborneJoan OsborneJoan Elizabeth Osborne is an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for her song "One of Us". She has toured with Motown sidemen the Funk Brothers and was featured in the documentary film about them, Standing in the Shadows of Motown.-Biography:Originally from Anchorage, Kentucky, a suburb...
(2002) - "What If It All Means SomethingWhat if It All Means SomethingWhat If It All Means Something is the third album by Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, released in 2002 .-Track listing:#"In This Life" – 3:51#"Time" – 4:07...
" by Chantal KreviazukChantal KreviazukChantal Jennifer Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer-songwriter of the adult contemporary music genre. She is also a classically trained pianist, and can play the guitar.-Albums:...
(2002) - "SleeplessSleeplessSleepless is a single by the band King Crimson, released in 1984. Its tracks are from the album Three of a Perfect Pair . The song "Sleepless" is best known for its distinctive opening bassline which features Tony Levin actually slapping on the strings to create its pulsating beat...
" by Peter WolfPeter WolfPeter Wolf is an American Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock and Roll musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the J. Geils Band from 1967 to 1983; and for a successful musical solo career to date with writing partner Will Jennings.- Life and career :Wolf was born in the Bronx, New York...
(2002) - "The Journey WithinThe Journey WithinThe Journey Within is the debut album by Bernie Williams, who at the time of its release was still an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Released on July 15, 2003 through GRP Records, Williams played both lead and rhythm guitar on the album and also composed seven of the album's songs...
" by Bernie WilliamsBernie WilliamsBernabé Williams Figueroa Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and Puerto Rican musician.-Early life:...
(2003) - "Never GoneNever GoneNever Gone was the eagerly awaited comeback album by US vocal group Backstreet Boys. Originally to be released in 2004, the release date was pushed back to June 14, 2005 for unknown reasons. The album varies musically from their previous albums, with a rock sound to the album...
" by Backstreet BoysBackstreet BoysThe Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
(2005) - "These Four WallsThese Four WallsThese Four Walls is an album by American singer-songwriter and musician Shawn Colvin, released in 2006.-Track listing:All tracks composed by Shawn Colvin and John Leventhal; except where indicated#"Fill Me Up" – 3:40#"These Four Walls" – 2:57...
" by Shawn ColvinShawn ColvinShawn Colvin is an American singer-songwriter and musician.-Childhood and early career:Colvin was born in Vermillion, South Dakota. Her formative years were spent in the town of Carbondale, Illinois, where she attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She learned to play guitar at the age...
(2006) - "Sleepless (Peter Wolf album)Sleepless (Peter Wolf album)Sleepless is the sixth solo album by Peter Wolf, released in 2002. The album ranked 432 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.-Track listing:#"Growin' Pain" - 3:12...
" by Peter WolfPeter WolfPeter Wolf is an American Rhythm and Blues, Soul and Rock and Roll musician, best known as the lead vocalist for the J. Geils Band from 1967 to 1983; and for a successful musical solo career to date with writing partner Will Jennings.- Life and career :Wolf was born in the Bronx, New York...
(2007) - "My DecemberMy DecemberMy December is the third studio album by American pop rock singer Kelly Clarkson. The album was released on June 22, 2007 throughout most of Europe , on June 23, 2007 in Australia, on June 25, 2007 in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Poland, and on June 26, 2007 in North America...
" by Kelly ClarksonKelly ClarksonKelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
(2008) - "Zack Winter is My Boyfriend" single (2010)
- "JoylandJoyland (album)-Track listing:-Andy McKee: Joyland:Andy McKee: Joyland is a documentary film, released on the DVD portion of the album. The documentary follows McKee as he returns to the music store in which he taught guitar lessons, tours his home recording studio, and leads up to the release of Joyland.The...
" by Andy MckeeAndy McKeeAndy McKee is an American fingerstyle guitarist, currently signed to the American record label .His style of playing and his compositions have earned him a considerable international fanbase...
(2010) - "Listening Booth:1970" by Marc CohnMarc CohnMarc Craig Cohn is an American folk rock singer-songwriter and musician.- Personal life :Cohn was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Beachwood High School in Beachwood, a Cleveland suburb. He then attended Oberlin College....
(2010) - "Emotional Jukebox" by Linda Chorney (2011)