Shawn Pelton (born June 1, 1963, in Kansas City, Missouri) [1] is a New York City-based studio and session drummer. Pelton has worked with the Backstreet Boys, Sheryl Crow,[2] Shawn Colvin, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion and Billy Joel.[3] He also is the longtime drummer in the house band for the NBC TV network's sketch comedy and music program Saturday Night Live.[4]
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"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 quickly "bailed as soon as possible to the drums," Pelton said. "I was running around doing gigs at 14, which was a great situation, actually be in a band that young. The sooner you start making music with other people the better." [5]
His serious pop music credentials belie the fact that Pelton earned a jazz certificate (and a Bachelor's degree) during his studies at Indiana University's prestigious Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana, according to Drummerworld.[3] 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.[3] 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.[5] 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.[6]
He joined the SNL band in 1992.[3] "It’s a pretty mellow gig," Pelton told Paul G. Hichak, according to Drummerworld. "It’s really only 20 days out of the year."[7]
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"[2] by drum tech, Tim Soya [8]
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.