Full Bio
Derek Wolfford has been playing drums for nearly 30 years now. "Music was always an integral part of my childhood. I inherited a large stack of 45 records from my aunts & uncles which really opened me up to all genres of music." Some of his early favorites included Chicago, Rufus Thomas, Santana, The O' Jays, and many many others. "My neighborhood buddy had three older brothers who were all members of a record club. Every week, they would receive albums from all of the quintessential 70's rock bands and we would listen to them all day long."
He also participated in all of the available music programs throughout high school and college. "Whether it was an orchestra, jazz group, or marching band, those programs taught me how to work within an ensemble." Those lessons rang true when he started putting together his first bands. In addition to working as a hired gun for various cover acts, Derek was very active in groups performing original music. "I have really fond memories of those times. Everything was so new and we had a lot of time to devote to it."
Moving from Texas to Nashville in 1993, he immediately immersed himself into the music scene. "I took any and every gig I could get my hands on. At that time, there were many places that held ‘jam nights’ where anyone could sit in with the house band. A good number of the people I still play with today are from that period... it was an incredibly vibrant time." Derek soon went on the road with a variety band and traveled the US for the next two years. This time allowed him to learn how to manage a touring act and work with promoters.
After coming off the road, he decided to move into the business side of music and began a 20+ year relationship with Pearl Corporation. "I've had the opportunity to work with most of my original drum idols and make some new ones along the way. It still seems very surreal." He is presently the Marketing Manager of Integrated Media specializing in web marketing/social analytics. "I've always had a foot in the digital world... even owning some of the first electronic drum kits, home computers, and DAW recorders. I'm a gear geek at heart so bringing my tech and drumming worlds together was easy." Derek helped secure the company's position as a leader in online drum marketing. Some of the projects he has developed with the Marketing Team include the Demon Drive Pedal, Mimic Pro, and Music City Custom. You can also see his work through interviews, scripting, and audio with the Pearl Corporation production team on over 200+ videos.
During his 11-year stint in the Artist Relations Department, he worked with hundreds of acts including Disturbed, Avril Lavigne, The Roots, Jay-Z, Blake Shelton, Umphrey's McGee, Yellowjackets, and many more.
He has also conducted interviews, product reviews, webinars, and written articles for Pearl Drums.com, Modern Drummer Magazine, Tom-Tom Magazine, Modern Drummer.com, Canto (Digital Asset Management Solution), and was featured in Drum Business Magazine and KMWorld Magazine.
While climbing the corporate ladder, Derek has maintained a healthy playing schedule and also ventured into studio work. He's played percussion on releases from David Ball, Craig Morgan ("This Ole' Boy", "Still A Little Chicken Left On That Bone"), Bo Bice, George McCorkel of The Marshall Tucker Band, mega-hit songwriter Rodney Clawson, Sex In The City actor John Corbett, and James Wesley's Top 40 singles "Didn't I" and “Real”.
"I'm not sure how the studio percussion thing got started but it has taken on a life of its own. I'm by no means a traditional Latin percussionist. My favorite parts blend and give the music an extra lift. One of the best compliments I've ever received was being called a 'songwriter's drummer/percussionist... and I'll wear that description proudly". Derek has also had the good fortune of playing drums/percussion live with Journey guitarist Neal Schon, 80's pop queen Tiffany, Billy Dean, Bo Bice, Rodney Clawson, Melinda Doolittle (American Idol), David Ball, and many others.
"I try to keep it simple.. to work hard and play music I like, with people I like, and have good time doing it."
(updated 10/2018)
He also participated in all of the available music programs throughout high school and college. "Whether it was an orchestra, jazz group, or marching band, those programs taught me how to work within an ensemble." Those lessons rang true when he started putting together his first bands. In addition to working as a hired gun for various cover acts, Derek was very active in groups performing original music. "I have really fond memories of those times. Everything was so new and we had a lot of time to devote to it."
Moving from Texas to Nashville in 1993, he immediately immersed himself into the music scene. "I took any and every gig I could get my hands on. At that time, there were many places that held ‘jam nights’ where anyone could sit in with the house band. A good number of the people I still play with today are from that period... it was an incredibly vibrant time." Derek soon went on the road with a variety band and traveled the US for the next two years. This time allowed him to learn how to manage a touring act and work with promoters.
After coming off the road, he decided to move into the business side of music and began a 20+ year relationship with Pearl Corporation. "I've had the opportunity to work with most of my original drum idols and make some new ones along the way. It still seems very surreal." He is presently the Marketing Manager of Integrated Media specializing in web marketing/social analytics. "I've always had a foot in the digital world... even owning some of the first electronic drum kits, home computers, and DAW recorders. I'm a gear geek at heart so bringing my tech and drumming worlds together was easy." Derek helped secure the company's position as a leader in online drum marketing. Some of the projects he has developed with the Marketing Team include the Demon Drive Pedal, Mimic Pro, and Music City Custom. You can also see his work through interviews, scripting, and audio with the Pearl Corporation production team on over 200+ videos.
During his 11-year stint in the Artist Relations Department, he worked with hundreds of acts including Disturbed, Avril Lavigne, The Roots, Jay-Z, Blake Shelton, Umphrey's McGee, Yellowjackets, and many more.
He has also conducted interviews, product reviews, webinars, and written articles for Pearl Drums.com, Modern Drummer Magazine, Tom-Tom Magazine, Modern Drummer.com, Canto (Digital Asset Management Solution), and was featured in Drum Business Magazine and KMWorld Magazine.
While climbing the corporate ladder, Derek has maintained a healthy playing schedule and also ventured into studio work. He's played percussion on releases from David Ball, Craig Morgan ("This Ole' Boy", "Still A Little Chicken Left On That Bone"), Bo Bice, George McCorkel of The Marshall Tucker Band, mega-hit songwriter Rodney Clawson, Sex In The City actor John Corbett, and James Wesley's Top 40 singles "Didn't I" and “Real”.
"I'm not sure how the studio percussion thing got started but it has taken on a life of its own. I'm by no means a traditional Latin percussionist. My favorite parts blend and give the music an extra lift. One of the best compliments I've ever received was being called a 'songwriter's drummer/percussionist... and I'll wear that description proudly". Derek has also had the good fortune of playing drums/percussion live with Journey guitarist Neal Schon, 80's pop queen Tiffany, Billy Dean, Bo Bice, Rodney Clawson, Melinda Doolittle (American Idol), David Ball, and many others.
"I try to keep it simple.. to work hard and play music I like, with people I like, and have good time doing it."
(updated 10/2018)
Derek uses Pearl Drums / Vater Sugar Maple Fusion Signature Drumsticks / Zildjian Cymbals / Evans Drumheads / Shure Microphones / KickPort /
Woodshed Stage Art / Reunion Blues Cymbal Bags / Big Fat Snare Drum / Ultimate Ears / Roc-N-Soc / Logic Pro X
Woodshed Stage Art / Reunion Blues Cymbal Bags / Big Fat Snare Drum / Ultimate Ears / Roc-N-Soc / Logic Pro X