Shannon Forrest

Shannon Forrest

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Biography

Introduction

Shannon Forrest (born in 1976 in Easley, South Carolina) is an American drummer and percussionist known primarily for his session work. As a session drummer, he has contributed to the work of many well-known artists, and he is also a producer and engineer.

Biography

Session work

Forrest began his career working in his fathers studio, recording with many projects with traditional Gospel artists. He moved on to work as a Nashville session musician, where Forrest has been involved in the recording of successful albums by Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Chieftains, Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Womack, Jerry Douglas, Merle Haggard, and many others.

Toto

Forrest has been a member of Toto since 2015, taking the place of Keith Carlock. Forrester performed with Toto in 2009 when they were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

Dukes of September

From 2010 to 2012, Forrest supported Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, and Donald Fagen on their Dukes of September tours.

Equipment

Forrest was the sole exclusive artist for the Brady Drum Company. For his work with Toto, Forrest used a Brady Jarrah Ply drum kit with a red sparkle finish, which was mounted on a Pearl Icon rack.

Forrest also plays Gon Bops Mariano Congas, Mariano bongos, and Mariano Djembes.

Awards

  • Academy of Country Music Award for Drummer of the Year (seven times)

    Discography

    This section presents a partial list of albums to which Forrest has contributed.

    1994–99

    • 1994: The Arnolds – Read Between the Nails (Cherish Music)
    • 1994: The Freemans – In a High Wind (Goldenvine)
    • 1996: Jeff Foxworthy – Crank It Up: The Music Album (Warner Bros.)
    • 1997: The Kinleys – Just Between You and Me (Epic)
    • 1997: Ricky Skaggs – Life is a Journey (Atlantic Records)
    • 1997: Sheri Easter – Sheri (Spring Hill)
    • 1997: The Bishops – Reach The World (Homeland)
    • 1997: John Hager – October Road (PWD/Huge)
    • 1997: Matt King – Five O'Clock Hero (Atlantic)
    • 1998: Martina McBride – White Christmas (RCA)
    • 1998: The Wilkinsons – Nothing but Love (Giant)
    • 1998: Don Williams – I Turn the Page (Giant)
    • 1999: Jennifer Day – The Fun of Your Love (BNA)

    2000–04

    • 2000: Alabama – When It All Goes South (RCA)
    • 2000: Steph Carse – Steph Carse (H2E)
    • 2000: Ricky Skaggs and Friends – Big Mon: The Songs of Bill Monroe (Skaggs Family)
    • 2000: The Kinleys – II (Epic)
    • 2000: Kenny Rogers – There You Go Again (Dreamcatcher)
    • 2001: Jim Brickman – Simple Things (Windham Hill
    • 2001: Brooks & Dunn – Steers & Stripes (Arista Nashville)
    • 2001: Chris Cagle – Play It Loud (Capitol)
    • 2001: Wanessa Camargo – Wanessa Camargo (BMG Brasil)
    • 2002: Bonnie Bramlett – I'm Still The Same (Koch Records)
    • 2002: Art Garfunkel with Maia Sharp and Buddy Mondlock – Everything Waits to be Noticed (Manhattan)
    • 2002: Toby Keith – Unleashed (DreamWorks)
    • 2002: Shana Morrison – 7 Wishes (Vanguard)
    • 2002: Joe Nichols – Man with a Memory (Universal South)
    • 2003: Josh Turner – Long Black Train (MCA Nashville)
    • 2004: Maura O'Connell – Don't I Know (Sugar Hill)
    • 2004: Mindy Smith – One Moment More (Vanguard)
    • 2004: Montgomery Gentry – You Do Your Thing (Columbia)
    • 2004: Phil Vassar – Shaken Not Stirred (Arista Nashville)

    2005–09

    • 2005: Faith Hill – Fireflies (Warner Bros.)
    • 2005: Carrie Underwood – Some Hearts (Arista Nashville)
    • 2005: Trisha Yearwood – Jasper County (MCA Nashville)
    • 2006: Brooks & Dunn – Hillbilly Deluxe (Arista Nashville)
    • 2006: Toby Keith – White Trash with Money (Show Dog Nashville)
    • 2006: Kenny Rogers – Water & Bridges (Capitol Nashville)
    • 2006: Josh Turner – Your Man (MCA Nashville)
    • 2007: Joe Nichols – Real Things (Universal South)
    • 2007: Josh Turner – Everything Is Fine (MCA Nashville) – banjo, resonator guitar, acoustic guitar
    • 2008: Trace Adkins – X (Ten) (Capitol Nashville)
    • 2008: Jessica Simpson – Do You Know (Epic)
    • 2009: Reba McEntire – Keep on Loving You (Valory)

    2010–present

    • 2010: Taylor Swift – Speak Now (Big Machine Records)
    • 2010: Josh Turner – Haywire (MCA Nashville)
    • 2012: Jana Kramer – Jana Kramer (Elektra Nashville)
    • 2012: Josh Turner – Punching Bag (MCA Nashville)
    • 2014: Tim McGraw – Sundown Heaven Town (Big Machine)
    • 2014: Josh Thompson - Turn it Up (Show Dog)
    • 2015: Don Henley – Cass County (Capitol)
    • 2017: Josh Turner – Deep South (MCA Nashville)