Dan Walker

BIO


As John Mellencamp sings, “I’m up from Indiana down in Tennessee,” veteran drummer Dan Walker is originally from Noblesville, Indiana, and has lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee since 2008. He’s played in a variety of bands, including Bella Lam and the Boys, Ashley and the X’s, Lori Mast and High Gravity, Saints and Stangers, Chris Vincent, and Brain and Bone, and has played every notable venue in the Chattanooga area and beyond.

He’s opened for Mike Farris, Shovels and Rope, and Drivin N Cryin, and has played numerous festivals such as Riverbend, Dolly Days, and Honeybee Festival. 

When he was a kid, Dan’s father introduced him to music by gifting him a stack of records, his favorites being the Beach Boys, the Kinks, and the Sufaris. “I gravitated to harmonies and rhythms,” he says. 

Dan fell in love with Dennis Wilson’s lead vocals on the Beach Boys’ cover of “The Wanderer.” “I just thought he was cool and loved his voice,” Dan says. “He just happened to play drums, too. He was the only Beach Boy who could surf…more coolness. Unfortunately, later in life, I realized he was a complete asshole.”

But it was Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” that made him want to be a drummer. “I was sold on drums. Nothing better.”

While Dan cites Keith Moon, Stewart Copeland, Tony Williams, Stanton Moore, among others, as influential to his playing, John Bonham was the biggest inspiration on his style, particularly his bass drum footwork. 

Dan’s playing is featured on albums by Ashley and the X’s, Brain and Bone, Saint and Strangers, and the compilation Music From the Scenic City.

  • Drums

    • Ludwig Keystone Oak/Maple (22, 12, 16)

    • Gretsch Renown Maple (22, 10, 12, 14, 16)

    Snares

    • Ludwig Supraphonic (14x6.5)

    • Ludwig (14x5)

    • Ludwig Maple (14x6.5)

    • Gretsch Renown Maple (14x8)

    • Gretsch Renown Maple (14x5)

    • Gretsch Birch (14x6.5)

    • Yamaha Birch (14x5.5)

    Cymbals

    • Paiste Signature Series

    • Paiste 2002 Black Label

    • Zildjian A Series

    Hardware

    • DW pedals

    • Yamaha stands

    Electronics

    • Roland SPD ONE Wave Pad

    • Click + Tama Rhythm Watch

    Sticks

    • Promark Maple Finesse 5B

  • Monitoring

    • Alclair Tour Triple Driver in-ear monitors

Audio Samples

Dan Walker Drums © Audio Sample
Press Kit