#269 Shawn Pelton- Drummer for SNL, Sheryl Crow, Session Great, and More!
This episode is sponsored by Dream Cymbals.
This week’s guest is Shawn Pelton. Shawn has been the drummer for the Saturday Night Live band for 30 years. Playing in the SNL band has allowed Shawn to set deep roots within the NYC session scene and record with several top artists. Highlights from this list include Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Billy Joel, David Byrne, as well as several Grammy winning albums including Shawn Colvin, Brecker Brothers, and the Hank Williams tribute album. Shawn has become somewhat of a chameleon in studio sessions; He's freqently hired for his programming skills as well as his fantasic playing ability. Shawn has made appearances on Daryl Hall's internet concert series Live from Daryl's House. Pelton also served 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 a founding member of the NYC-based band The Cringe.
Gig Alerts
God’s Love, We Deliver is hosting their 5 annual fundraiser in the Love Rocks Concert on March 10th.
Social Soundbyte
“When The Levee Breaks” is a powerful, thought-provoking and emotionally-charged classic by Led Zeppelin, from their Led Zeppelin IV album. The song is a rework of the 1929 original release by Kansas Joe Mccoy and Memphis Minnie about the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927; the most destructive river flooding in U.S. history. “It seems that little has changed since 1927, or even 2005 with Katrina. It’s still a really powerful track, both musically and lyrically.”- John Paul Jones Legendary multi-instrumentalist, John Paul Jones, is accompanied by Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and over 20 musicians and dancers from seven different countries, in this Song Around The World version featured in Peace Through Music: A Global Event for the Environment.
Feel the impact of these compelling lyrics and let the music move your spirit!
"When The Levee Breaks" was written by John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Kansas Joe Mccoy, Memphis Minnie, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant This Song Around The World was produced by Sebastian Robertson and Mark Johnson
FEATURING: Alfredo Arce: Siku Flute Ben Lee: Harmonica Buffalo Nichols: Vocals, Guitar Davey Chegwidden: Dundun Drums Derek Trucks: Slide Guitar Drums of the Pacific: Dancing, Log Drums Elle Márjá Eira: Vocals Jason Tamba: Banjo John Paul Jones: Bass Keith Secola: Slide Guitar Mermans Mosengo: Harmonica Mihirangi: Vocals Nakeiltha Campbell: Dundun Drums Pete Sands: Acoustic Guitar Sebastian Robertson: Electric Guitar Sikiru Adepoju: Talking Drum Susan Tedeschi: Vocals Stephen Perkins: Drums
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was chosen by last week’s guest, Steve Kroon. The song is called “Ay Camina Y Ven” by the Alegre All-Stars, from the album with the same title (Vol. 1).
Credits: Charlie Palmieri (Piano). Johnny Pacheco (Flute). Francisco "Kako" Bastar (Timbales) Rudy Calzado, Dioris Valladares, Eladio "Yayo El Indio" Peguero (Vocals). Barry Rogers (Trombone). José "Chombo" Silva (Tenor Sax). Bobby Rodríguez (Bass). Julian Cabrera (Auxiliary Percussion). Marcelino Valdés (Congas). Producer: Al Santiago. Recorded in New York in 1961.
Music News
The first article is, How To Find Musicians In Your Area. There are a ton of apps and websites centered around connecting musicians with each other. -Article
Damon mentions the book “From Zero to Sideman (in Five Easy Steps)” by friend of the show, Mel Brown.
Damon also mentions the app, JammCard.
Live Nation’s Ticketmaster has officially partnered with Snapchat to launch a “‘Ticketmatcher’ Mini” that will enable the platform’s 319 million daily active users (DAUs) to search for concert tickets in-app. -Article
Shawn Pelton Interview
The song leading into the interview is called “What I Am” from the album ‘Earth Tones’ by Charlie Hunter, Chinna Smith, & Ernest Ranglin with Shawn on Drums.
Damon and Shawn talks about the theme song for SNL.
Shawn talks about the supportive NYC scene and acts at Rockwood Music Hall.
Shawn has worn a grey British newsboy style hat.
Shawn talks about sidelining on a film or TV. He’s been in several films (look for the hat!).
Shawn talks about how musicians got work back in the day, hanging out at bars like Possible 20 or signing up with Radio Registry.
Shawn talks about being inspired by the legendary Ed Greene and the song “I Got The News”.
Below is the meme Damon brings up…..
Shawn explains the gloves on his hands while playing in louder situations.
Shawn talks about some of the other musicians and bands in 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Shawn talks about his home studio.
Shawn first moved to NYC in the 80’s, while also touring with John Eddie.
If you would like to hire Shawn to play drums on your recording project, you can email him at: chiliwah@aol.com.
Shawn talks about recording session conversations and preparation for remote recording.
He also talks about being open and flexible to different ideas and changes to be successful in a recording session situation.
This is the fifth year that Shawn gets to be in the house band for the Love Rocks NYC concert. You can see last year’s concert below.
Shawn talks about learning tunes quickly and also writing “charts”.
He also mentions being in the house band for the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
Shawn talks about the Drum Magazine article with him and Kenny Aronoff on their cheat sheets.
Damon talks about using an iPad, the program forScore and a bluetooth pedal.
Shawn talks about learning from and studying with Alan Dawson.
Shawn started at Stan Kenton Music Camps (Dave Weckl also attended these). Then attended a Berklee Summer Music Program.
He later attended Indiana University.
Shawn has been using Abelton as his choice of electronics. He also has a drumkat as an option on SNL.
Shawn talks about mental focus.
Shawn’s struggle meal was Mac and Cheese out of a box. He also talks about some of the challenges of living on 14th street with Everett Bradley back in the day, as well as, navigating alternate side of the street parking, getting his car stolen, the crackheads in and around his building and more!
Shout-out to Elaine Caswell.
Shawn talks about how NYC helps you survive as a musician when things aren’t always opportune.
Shout-out to: Steve Gadd, Alan Dawson, Kenny Aronoff, David Baker and others.
Shawn uses DW Drums and Hardware, Latin Percussion Instruments, Remo Drumheads, Zildjian Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks and Mallets, and Ableton.
