Shawn Pelton


Shawn Pelton is an American drummer and percussionist. He has recorded with a wide range of artists and has been a first call player since moving to New York in the late 1980s.
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, Rosanne 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, Phillip Phillips, 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.
Shawn is also the longtime drummer in the house band for the NBC TV network's sketch comedy and music program Saturday Night Live.
Shawn was the touring drummer on Jon Bon Jovi's Destination Anywhere tour in 1997-1998.

Early life

Pelton was born in Kansas City, Missouri.
"I grew up always banging on things," Pelton said describing his childhood. 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

In 1985, Pelton earned a bachelor's degree and a Performer's Certificate after his studies at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, according to Drummerworld. While there, 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 a student, Pelton taught for a brief period as well as conducted private drum lessons. One of his students was Pete Wilhoit, who would later become 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 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.

Selected discography

Album TitleArtistYear Released
Out Of The LoopBrecker Brothers1994
Picture Perfect MorningEdie Brickell1994
PlumbJonatha Brooke1995
A Few Small RepairsShawn Colvin1996
Live! The Real DealBuddy Guy1996
Midnight Without YouChris Botti1997
Little ShipLoudon Wainwright III1997
Marigold SkyHall & Oates1997
Fool's ParadePeter Wolf1998
Burning The DazeMarc Cohn1998
TracksBruce Springsteen1998
Blues Everywhere I GoOdetta1999
Timeless: Hank Williams Tributewith Bob Dylan2001
Look into the EyeballDavid Byrne2001
Whole New YouShawn Colvin2001
How Sweet It IsJoan Osborne2002
What If It All Means SomethingChantal Kreviazuk2002
SleeplessPeter Wolf2002
C'mon, C'monSheryl Crow2002
HomeDixie Chicks2002
How Sweet It IsJoan Osborne2002
Hotel PaperMichelle Branch2003
C'mon America Sheryl Crow2003
SmileLyle Lovett2003
BreakawayKelly Clarkson2004
Genius Loves CompanyRay Charles2004
Just Like There's Nothin' to ItSteve Forbert2004
The Battle for EverythingFive for Fighting2004
The Clarence Greenwood RecordingsCitizen Cope2004
Earth TonesCharlie Hunter2005
The Legend Johnny Cash2005
All I Really Want For ChristmasSteven Curtis Chapman2005
These Four WallsShawn Colvin2006
Black CadillacRosanne Cash2006
Begin to HopeRegina Spektor2006
Can't Quit the BluesBuddy Guy2006
I'm Not DeadP!nk2006
InnovationCharlie Hunter2006
Oral Fixation, Vols. 1-2Shakira2006
Secret WorldTears for Fears2006
Separate WaysTeddy Thompson2006
Stand Still, Look PrettyThe Wreckers2006
Home For ChristmasHall & Oates2006
Sleepless Peter Wolf2007
My DecemberKelly Clarkson2007
Abbey Sings AbbeyAbbey Lincoln2007
Forever Ray CharlesRay Charles2007
Hits and RaritiesSheryl Crow2007
SupermoonZap Mama2007
The Best of Van Morrison, Vol. 3Van Morrison2007
Les Paul and Friends: Tribute to a LegendLes Paul2008
Bleu PétroleAlain Bashung2008
Nobody Left to CrownRichie Havens2008
The ListRosanne Cash2009
LightMatisyahu2009
Greatest Hits... So Far!!!P!nk2010
The Essential Rosanne CashRosanne Cash2011
The Complete EP CollectionJames McCartney2011
Human AgainIngrid Michaelson2012
The World from the Side of the MoonPhillip Phillips2012
Living in ColorAlexz Johnson2013
A cure for lonelinessPeter Wolf2016

Collaborations