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Shawn Pelton must be doing something right, having recorded with a wide range of top artists and establishing himself as a first call player since moving to New York in the late 80’s.

Known for his great feel, deep soulful pocket and a high level of musicianship across a broad range of styles, Shawn has recorded with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Shawn Colvin, Natalie Merchant, Ingrid Michaelson, Billy Joel, Van Morrison, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash, Roseann Cash, Pink, Shakira, Kelly Clarkson, Five For Fighting, Michelle Branch, Regina Spektor, Tears for Fears, Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, Jonatha Brooke, David Byrne, Edie Brickell, Marc Cohn, Richie Havens, Joan Osborne, Hall and Oates, Odetta, Pavarotti, George Michael, Carly Simon, Dixie Chicks, Chris Botti and Buddy Guy, and has played on several Grammy winning albums for artists including Ray Charles, The Brecker Brothers, Shakira, Shawn Colvin, Les Paul and the Hank Williams tribute album with Bob Dylan.

Such a broad discography shows a rare ability to be at home playing on a top ten track by Pink, recording with Jazz legend Abbey Lincoln or an icon like Bob Dylan. Shawn is also the longtime drummer in the house band for the NBC TV network's sketch comedy and music program Saturday Night Live.

Early life
Pelton was born June 1, 1963, in Kansas City, Missouri

"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 "bailed as soon as possible to the drums," Pelton said. "I was running around doing gigs at 14, which was a great situation, to actually be in a band that young. The sooner you start making music with other people the better."

Musical education, influences
Pelton earned a Bachelor's degree and a Performer's Certificate during his studies at Indiana University's 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.

Saturday Night Live
He joined the Saturday Night Live band in 1992, saying "It’s a pretty mellow gig...It’s really only 20 days out of the year."

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" 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.

Selected Discography

 * Out Of The Loop by Brecker Brothers (1994)
 * Picture Perfect Morning by Edie Brickell (1994)
 * Plumb by Jonatha Brooke (1995)
 * A Few Small Repairs by Shawn Colvin (1996)
 * Live! The Real Deal by Buddy Guy (1996)
 * Midnight Without You by Chris Botti (1997)
 * Little Ship by Loudon Wainwright III (1997)
 * Marigold Sky by Hall & Oates (1997)
 * Fool's Parade by Peter Wolf (1998)
 * Burning The Daze by Marc Cohn (1998)
 * Tracks by Bruce Springsteen (1998)
 * Blues Everywhere I Go by Odetta (1999)
 * ''Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute]]" with Bob Dylan (2001)
 * Look into the Eyeball by David Byrne (2001)
 * Whole New You by Shawn Colvin (2001)
 * How Sweet It Is (Joan Osborne album)|How Sweet It Is by Joan Osborne (2002)
 * What If It All Means Something by Chantal Kreviazuk (2002)
 * Sleepless by Peter Wolf (2002)
 * C'mon, C'mon by Sheryl Crow (2002)
 * Home by Dixie Chicks (2002)
 * How Sweet It Is by Joan Osborne (2002)
 * Hotel Paper by Michelle Branch (2003)
 * Smile by Lyle Lovett (2003)
 * Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson (2004)
 * Genius Loves Company by Ray Charles (2004)
 * Just Like There's Nothin' to It by Steve Forbert (2004)
 * The Battle for Everything by Five for Fighting (2004)
 * The Clarence Greenwood Recordings by Citizen Cope (2004)
 * Earth Tones by Charlie Hunter (2005)
 * The Legend (Columbia) by Johnny Cash (2005)
 * These Four Walls by Shawn Colvin (2006)
 * Black Cadillac by Rosanne Cash (2006)
 * Begin to Hope by Regina Spektor (2006)
 * Can't Quit the Blues by Buddy Guy (2006)
 * I'm Not Dead by P!nk (2006)
 * Innovation by Charlie Hunter (2006)
 * Oral Fixation, Vols. 1-2 by Shakira (2006)
 * Secret World by Tears for Fears (2006)
 * Separate Ways by Teddy Thompson (2006)
 * Stand Still, Look Pretty by The Wreckers (2006)
 * Sleepless (Peter Wolf album) by Peter Wolf (2007)
 * My December by Kelly Clarkson (2007)
 * Abbey Sings Abbey by Abbey Lincoln (2007)
 * Forever Ray Charles by Ray Charles (2007)
 * Hits and Rarities by Sheryl Crow (2007)
 * Supermoon by Zap Mama (2007)
 * The Best of Van Morrison, Vol. 3 by Van Morrison (2007)
 * Les Paul and Friends: Tribute to a Legend by Les Paul (2008)
 * Nobody Left to Crown by Richie Havens (2008)
 * The List by Rosanne Cash (2009)
 * Light by Matisyahu (2009)
 * ''Greatest Hits... So Far!!! “ by P!nk (2010)
 * ''The Essential Rosanne Cash]]" by Rosanne Cash (2011)
 * The Complete EP Collection by James McCartney (2011)
 * Human Again by Ingrid Michaelson (2012)

Notes and references
Category:1963 births Category:American drummers Category:Living people