Shannon Forrest

Shannon Forrest
Forrest with Toto in 2017.
Forrest with Toto in 2017.
Background information
Born (1973-08-22) August 22, 1973 (age 51)
Easley, South Carolina, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instruments
  • Drums
  • percussion
Member ofToto
Formerly ofThe Dukes of September

Shannon Forrest (born August 22, 1973, in Easley, South Carolina[1]) 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. Additionally, he was the touring drummer of Toto from 2014 to 2019, and again from 2024 to the present.

Biography

Session work

Forrest began his career working with his father Otis Forrest at The Sounding Board Studio in Easley, SC. There he recorded many projects with traditional southern Gospel and local country 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, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner, Toby Keith, Alabama, Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Rogers, Michael McDonald and many others.[2]

Toto

Forrest had been a touring musician with Toto since 2014, taking the place of Keith Carlock.[3] Forrest performed with Toto in 2009 when they were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville [2] and he cites Jeff Porcaro and Lenny Castro as his biggest influences. After disbanding in 2019, Toto returned in 2020 with a new lineup which didn't include Forrest. However, it was announced on the band’s Facebook page that he and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes were returning ahead of the 2024 tour.[4]

Dukes of September

From 2010 to 2012, Forrest played with Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, and Donald Fagen on their Dukes of September tours.[5]

Equipment

Forrest currently plays Pearl Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, and Innovative Percussion. Previously, he 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.[6]

Forrest also plays Gon Bops Mariano Congas, Mariano bongos, and Mariano Djembes.[1]

Awards

  • Academy of Country Music Award for Drummer of the Year (seven times)[7]

Discography

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

1994–99

2000–04

2005–09

2010–present

References

  1. ^ a b "Bio: Shannon Forrest". Gon Bops. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Shannon Forrest..." Drummerworld. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  3. ^ "Reggie Boyle: Tremendous night for David Hungate & Toto at Spirit Mountain Casino". Steve Lukather Official Website. August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  5. ^ Dawson, Michael. "Toto's Shannon Forrest". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  6. ^ Elliott, Bart (October 17, 2014). "Nashville Drummer, Shannon Forrest, Touring with Toto". Drummer Cafe. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  7. ^ "Studio Recording Awards". Academy of Country Music. Retrieved June 14, 2017.