Drew Shirley

Andrew (Drew) Philip Shirley (born April 3, 1974 in Puerto Rico)^[2] is an American rock guitarist, formerly of All Together Separate, and since 2005 of the Grammy-winning alternative rock band Switchfoot.

Career

Shirley attended California Baptist University studying a Fine Arts degree with a Music minor. During that time he also started and led various school bands and shows. He had only started playing guitar as a senior in high school. After graduating from college, he also began working with YFC as the Riverside area Campus Life director, working with local high schools.

Shirley played in the band All Together Separate in the late 1990s along with fellow CBU classmates Dex Alexander (singer), Ben Rayls(drummer), and Charles Rumahlewang (bass). The band toured nationally, but was cut short after breaking up in 2002.

He started touring with Switchfoot soon after their 2003 release The Beautiful Letdown. He became an official member of the band on May 4, 2005.^[2] He has recorded five albums with the band: Nothing Is Sound (2005), Oh! Gravity. (2006), Grammy-winning Hello Hurricane (2009), Vice Verses (2011), and Fading West.

Between leaving All Together Separate and his transition to Switchfoot, Shirley produced and played guitar on many different band projects. He still produces and plays on various musical projects.

Personal life

Shirley's father was a Navy Chaplain, and his mother was a high school choir teacher. He has a younger brother.

Shirley married his wife, Jenna, in 2001. The couple has four daughters: Lauren (born 2004), Violet (born 2008), Isa, and Haven.^[2]

Discography

All Together Separate

• All Together Separate (1999)
• Ardent Worship Live (2001)
• Unusual (2002)

Switchfoot

• Nothing Is Sound (2005)
• Oh! Gravity. (2006)
• Hello Hurricane (2009)
• Vice Verses (2011)
• Fading West (2014)
• The Edge of the Earth (2014)

References