Check Out David Northrup’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Northrup.

Hi David, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I was Born in Syracuse, New York, and grew up in the small town of Chittenango, New York. I started playing drums in Elementary School around 1980 and played all through public school until graduating in 1987. Also during that In my formative years, I studied privately with several of Central New York’s premiere teachers: John Dixon, Franks Briggs, and Wilby Fletcher.

In 1990 I relocated to Central Florida to continue my studies and quickly became involved in the Tampa Bay Blues and Top 40 music scene. In 1993 My path crossed with Guitar great Les Dudek (The Allman Brothers, Steve Miller Band, Cher) who recruited Me to record the title track for his CD release “Deeper Shades Of Blues”. Dudek originally began the project in 1990 with the late great Jeff Porcaro, who recorded on all other drum tracks. Porcaro was one of the most recorded sessions drummers of all time and a member of the rock band Toto. He also happened to be my drum hero.

In 1995 I relocated once again to Nashville, Tennessee. With the Dudek recording credit, some session work opportunities opened up for me along with live gigs with Blues Guitarist Christian Hastings and with Cajun Country Legend Jo-El Sonnier. My most notable early work though, where I became established, was with Country Superstar Travis Tritt in 2000. I spent a total of nine years with Tritt, performing on several live DVDs and CDs, also appearing on late-night TV: The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The Rosie O’Donnell show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and awards shows such as the CMA, CMT the ACM awards. I was also asked to perform with Tritt and jam band sensation, The Disco Biscuits at the 2005 Jammy Awards at The Madison Square Garden Theater in New York City.

I augmented my work by continuing to be an active session player and producer in Nashville, also doing drum clinics for my endorsement companies and often touring with other Nashville national acts during downtime from Tritt’s touring schedule with Artists such as Tanya Tucker, Joe Diffie, Doug Stone, Lee Greenwood, Ty Herndon, John Waite, and Jo Dee Messina. After leaving Leaving Travis Tritt in 2009 I was quickly recruited by country artist Pam Tillis to be her touring drummer. In 2012 I toured with Wynonna Judd and in 2013 with classic country artist Connie Smith. In 2014 I accepted the drum chair in mighty Oaks Band for the Legendary Oak Ridge Boys where I stayed until 2017. I eventually left the Oaks after being offered a tour with Boz Scaggs in the spring of 2017. In 2018 I did tour dates with 80’s Country Artist T. Graham Brown and in 2019 with Rock Legend Rick Derringer. During this time I finally had the opportunity to finish a solo CD project I had started several years before.

In 2020 I released my debut instrumental CD called “ Shapes” produced by Grammy-winning Producer ‪Shane Theriot. ‬The project includes performances from the legendary Meters bassist George Porter Jr. and Adam Nitti on bass. New Orleans jazz great David Torkonowsky and Pat Coli on keyboards. ‪Shane Theriot‬ (Neville Brothers, ‪Hall, and Oates‬) and Mike Miller (‪Gino Vannelli‬, ‪Chick Corea‬ Electric Band II) on Guitar with Eric Crystal and Mark Douthit on Saxophone. The project includes several Theriot compositions, a unique Latin arrangement of the ‪Miles Davis classic, All Blues, and other slick and greasy tracks. Heavy groove instrumental music with the influences of drumming greats ‪Jeff Porcaro‬, Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, and Steve Jordan.

In 2021 I toured with 90’s County Superstar John Michael Montgomery. Since the beginning of 2022, I accepted a full-time touring position with Country Artist Joe Nichols. I also continue to do session work, teach privately, and do drum clinics around the country for my endorsement companies, Gretsch Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vater Drumsticks, and DW Pedals.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being self-employed AND being involved in the Arts as a career can be challenging. There are always dry spells, the time between gigs, and sometimes long lulls between recording sessions. There are seasons when you second-guess yourself if you made the right decision to pursue this path. Financially there have been many leans times. Extended days away from family while on tour.

Lonely days away from my wife and our children, thinking of all the things I might be doing with them at home while I’m traveling down the road to the next gig on a tour bus. Touring can take its toll on relationships. It’s not a career for everyone.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional musician, my primary instrument is the drum. I specialize in performing and recording all styles of popular music: For the most part, I would be considered a “sideman” “a hired gun that backs up musical artists live and In the recording studio”. I’ve been very fortunate to have performed and recorded with some notable artists over the course of my career. I guess one of the things I’m known for is my work ethic, being prepared when hired, and being flexible and willing to do whatever is necessary to serve the music and the other musicians and the artist I may be working with. I can also be considered an Artist as well, in 2020 I released a solo instrumental Jazz CD called SHAPES. That project showcases a different side of my playing, a little expressive and improvisational. The completion of that project is something I’m very proud of. Over the years I’ve worked on hundreds of sessions, as a session drummer, sometimes as a session leader, and sometimes as a producer… I’ve been responsible to see a project through many stages of the recording process. However, being on the artist’s end was the first time being involved in every detail from start to finish. It’s a long process.

Taking credit for all the career accomplishments I’ve experienced would be incredibly short-sighted and arrogant. God has been the difference for me in my career. He has raised the ceiling of possibilities and opportunities. He has opened and closed doors. He’s allowed the right relationships to happen at the right time. I’ve worked hard, made sacrifices, practiced, and studied…. I made the move to Nashville because of the greater opportunities it offered. I guess what I’m saying is I did what was necessary and God has always been faithful. Some may read this and shrug…. But in my life, in my career in my marriage, and in my family He has made ALL the difference.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
At first growing up I was shy and very insecure. Being the class clown allowed me to break away a little from shyness. Music was something I always gravitated towards… listening at first, and then learning to play the drums and becoming in involved in music was huge for me.

I eventually became a popular kid, class President all through High school, and Prom King. I was also very active in school athletics. Football, Wrestling, Baseball. Both my brother and I found our love for baseball from our father who coached us from a very young age all the way until we started playing at the High School Level. The discipline I learned from my father and playing high school athletics also served me in music.

Pricing:

• SHAPES CDs – $12 plus $3 shipping
• SHAPES T-Shirts – $30.00 plus $5 shipping
• DAVID NORTHRUP Drum Sticks $25 plus $5 shipping

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.davidnorthrup.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/davidnorthrupdrums?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidnorthrupdrums?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@DavidNorthrup 

Image Credits
Daniel Tommassino