Photo credit: Chad Crawford
Chances are if you turn on any Country radio station, you're likely to hear drummer Shannon Forrest. For the past ten years running, he’s played on most of that genre’s top ten hits. Currently, just a few of those include Tim McGraw's "Highway Don't Care" or Rascal Flats' "Changed". And, if you check the Billboard Blues charts, you'll see Boz Scaggs' newly released album, Memphis, in the top five slot – a release Shannon played on and is touring behind. He has also been busy touring with highly acclaimed super-group “Dukes Of September”, featuring Boz Scaggs, Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald.
Born in Easley, South Carolina and now living in the countryside just outside of Nashville, Shannon's recording career is unparalleled. In his twenty-plus years as one of Nashville’s top session drummers, he's constantly in demand for practically every top artist that town produces. The list – too long for even the most patient reader, includes mega stars Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Faith Hill, Sugarland, Tracy Lawrence, LeAnn Rimes, The Chieftains, Michael McDonald, Willie Nelson, Alabama, Art Garfunkel, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Blake Shelton, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Gretchen Wilson, Merle Haggard, Trace Adkins…and countless others.
Shannon Forrest is a recipient of the Academy of Country Music’s Top Drummer/Percussionist Of The Year. When asked of whom his biggest musical influences are, Shannon names Jeff Porcaro and Lenny Castro. When watching Shannon play, one can immediately notice the effect Jeff had – he carries the Porcaro torch beautifully but with his own style and command. When asked what his favorite album is that he’s played on, he states an upcoming release from a Michael McDonald/Robben Ford collaboration. If you ask him what his favorite album is that he DIDN’T play on – it’s almost obvious – TOTO IV. His absolute career highlight thus far was performing at Toto’s induction to Nashville’s Musician's Hall of Fame.
IP is extremely proud to welcome this amazingly talented, heartfelt and innovative drummer to our artist family!