Shawn Pelton, From Warrensburg, MO
SNL Percussionist Shawn Pelton Returns to UCM
Contact: Mike GreifeWARRENSBURG, MO (Oct. 29, 2014)- The Department of Music and the Performing Arts Series at the University of Central Missouri present Saturday Night Live! drummer Shawn Pelton in Live from New York …It’s Shawn Pelton! at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, in Hendricks Hall. Joining Pelton on the Hendricks Hall stage will be the UCM Jazz Ensemble.
During his two-day residency at UCM, Pelton also will conduct a drum clinic at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Hart Recital Hall.
 Warrensburg, Missouri November 2013  
Shawn Pelton talks with students at his old high school in Warrensburg Missouri
A Missouri native who was raised in Warrensburg, Pelton is a professional drummer and percussionist who has recorded with a wide range of artists and has been a first-call player since moving to New York in the late 1980s.
Known for his high level of musicianship across a broad range of styles, Pelton has recorded with dozens of artists, including Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Johnny Cash, Richie Havens, Pavarotti, Carly Simon, Dixie Chicks, Celine Dion, Chris Botti and Bruce Springsteen. He also has played on Grammy-winning albums for such artists as Ray Charles, The Brecker Brothers, Shakira, Shawn Colvin and Les Paul, and on the Hank Williams tribute album with Bob Dylan. The son of Elois Pelton, UCM professor emeritus of physical education, Pelton graduated from Warrensburg High School in 1981. In 1985 he earned a bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies and the prestigious Performer's Certificate from Indiana University. While at Indiana, Pelton studied with Kenny Aronoff, who at the time was drummer for John Mellencamp. “I grew up always banging on things,” Pelton said, describing his childhood in Warrensburg. His first real musical instrument was the cello he played at Central Elementary School, UCM’s former laboratory school, but he “bailed as soon as possible to the drums. I was running around doing gigs in Missouri at 14, which was a great situation, to actually be in a band that young. The sooner you start making music with other people, the better.” Pelton added that his mother still has the receipt for his first drum set bought at the Ike Martin Music store on South Maguire Street in Warrensburg. “Warrensburg was such a great place to grow up. I feel very fortunate to have had access to the music department at UCM,” he said. During summer breaks, Pelton sought out experts elsewhere. “I also had the privilege of hanging with Alan Dawson for a couple of summers,” he said. The Massachusetts-based Dawson, legendary in the jazz world, may best be known as an early teacher of Tony Williams, drummer for Miles Davis. 
Pelton joined the Saturday Night Live band in 1992 and has been regularly appearing as the drummer on Daryl Hall's internet concert series Live from Daryl’s House, as well as numerous performances at the Kennedy Center, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He toured internationally with fellow Missouri native Sheryl Crow in 2003 and spent several summers in the global band backing Luciano Pavarotti with such stars as Eric Clapton, James Brown, Liza Minnelli, Lou Reed, Bono and many more. Pelton also serves periodically as the substitute drummer in the CBS Orchestra on The Late Show with David Letterman. His film score work includes Armageddon, Secret Life of Walter Mitty, New Year’s Day, Sex in the City 2, Hitch, Maid in Manhattan, The Pink Panther 2, Begin Again and numerous national television commercials.
“I am thrilled to have a chance to come back to visit Warrensburg and play at Hendricks Hall,” Pelton said. “One of the most influential nights of growing up here was getting to see Duke Ellington play in that room back in 1974, two months before he passed away. It was one of the most amazing nights of music...I’ll never forget it.”
For additional information, contact the UCM Department of Music at 660-543-4530. This event is made possible with support from the Missouri Arts Council.
 | ||
| Shawn Pelton, famous drummer, from Warrensburg, Missouri Drummer / percussionist, Shawn Pelton, has fashioned a solid reputation for himself as one of the music industry’s top session players. Based in New York City, the LP artist has been the drummer for the Saturday Night Live Band since 1992, making him the show’s longest serving drummer to date.
Shawn studied with Kenny Aronoff in Indiana and moved to New York during the 1980’s to be in John Eddie’s band. He has recorded with Elton John, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Joan Osborne, Southside Johnny, Celine Dion, Bruce Hornsby and Roseanne Cash, as well as numerous other notable artists. Shawn has appeared on a number of Grammy-winning recordings, including Shawn Colvin’s "A Few Small Repairs". Currently, he can be seen touring with Sheryl Crow
Shawn Pelton  BIO
Shawn Pelton is one of the most talented and in demand drummers on the New York session scene. Shawn has been the Saturday Night Live Band drummer since 1992, longer than any other player. Every week he proves his capabilities as a live player and sideman by covering a wide range of music and backing visiting performers.
Shawn studied with Kenny Aronoff for seven years and attended Indiana University where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree and a Performer's Certificate in Jazz Studies.
As a first call session player in New York City, his resume reads like a "who's who" of the music industry, including: Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, House of Diablo, Edie Brickell, The Brecker Brothers, Buddy Guy, Joan Osborne, Hall & Oates, Peter Wolf, Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn, Patty Larkin, Kim Richey, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Luciano Pavarotti, Spice Girls, Loudon Wainwright, Peter Frampton, Robert Palmer, Bruce Hornsby, Adam Sandler and Vanessa Williams. Shawn has also subbed on both the David Letterman and Conan O'Brien shows.
|
Reprinted from zildjian.com
| ||
Shawn Pelton: Modern Drummer Festival 2010
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Shawn_Pelton.html
Shawn Pelton's Mother share some thoughts..Retired UCM Professor.
Shawn Pelton's Mother share some thoughts..Retired UCM Professor.
What I can share with your friends - by Elois Pelton, Ph.D., CMSU (P.E.)
[Dr. Elois Pelton is a retired professor of Physical Education and golf teacher at Central Missouri State University, now University of Central Missouri. She resides in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and remains active in many sports and activities, most recently Pickleball, which I'm learning more about... it's supposedly a hot sport for seniors in the midwest with competitive tournaments. Dr. Pelton plays golf and tennis regularly as well as doing bike rides. At age 71, we can learn a lot from her here, as I learned a lot of what I still retain from her while at CMSU in the '70s. Her son, Shawn, has been the drummer on Saturday Night Live for the past 15 years and holds a number of Grammys for his work on many superstar musicians' albums.]
Wow, what wonderful things you have written in this email [my request for her to share her wisdom and advice to our "over-40" group members] and I will try to compose something that you can share with your friends.
You see, I have always been adventurous and have had a zest for life with never any negative thoughts and with the idea to live each day to its fullest---to me that is the secret of life and when you do make mistakes, just remember to learn from them and look forward and never behind.... I strive each day to be there for others and when I taught my students, they were the most important thing to me because I was compelled to try to prepare them the best I knew how so they would do their best in whatever they strived to do in life. If a student of mine failed, I felt I failed also and when they were successful, I always hoped that a part of me from my teaching help that student to acquire that success.
And I believe that you never mistreat a person; never say anything that might hurt them; always be there for them; always have your hand out to pick up anyone who may have fallen and has reached up to you for help; and try to set a positive example so when others see you, hopefully, they see a person who is sincere, always smiles even though she might be hurting inside; and live as "right" as much as you can.
Now, for your group -- getting older is no fun but it is something that will happen and can't be changed. When you play a sport/game you must first remember that "it is just a game" and nothing more... no matter what the score may be, and no matter if you win or lose, youlook at it as a game only and think about the positive things that happen in the game..ie, the comaraderie that was shared among friends; the smiles and laughter that were exchanged; the friendships and memories that develop to last a lifetime; and just the joy of playing together. As you grow older, you have to be active but also realize you will not move as fast; be able to bend closer to the ground, throw as far, or hit as hard or far, etc. The aging process does slow you down and you catch yourself remembering "back when," but you have to learn to let go of that and just play hard within your limits.
A little true story: an 89-year-old friend of mine that I play golf with had grandkids who gave her a rocking chair for her last birthday... and it made her so mad that she took it out of the box and immediately put a "for sale" sign on it and placed it at the curb of her driveway. Then she called one of her grandkids and thanked her forthe beautiful rocking chair but also said she would not be using it because she wanted to stay active 'till the day she died, and for the grandkids not to be offended but she sold it to her neighbor! I tell this story because as you grow older, you have to exercise: play golf, kayak, bowl, tennis, swim -- anything that keeps you moving and not sitting. The more you are active, the better you feel mentally, physically and emotionally. Research has proved over and over again that smoking, obesity, drinking or abusing your body takes 10 years off your life. Therefore, when you get older, each day is a blessing so you jump out of bed, put on your tennis shoes and move for 60 minutes a day; stretch your muscles and warm them up; and do some sort of light weightlifting (resistance training) for bone density [resistance training is one of the best ways to avoid osteoporosis by building bone density and preventing breakage]. You don't have to join a gym, but it you aren't motivated enough to move, then it is wise to join a gym or join a group and get with other folks who are working out and the motivation for you will occur. Then when you go to bed at night, just lay there and ask yourself, "Did I really use each minute wisely today to improve my health and meet my daily goals? Was it truly a FULL day?". Then pray you get to wake up and plan another wonderful, happy day for the next day!
Each day, set goals you want to meet with your activities. Be sure to get permission from your doctors before you start on any active routine if you have conditions that should be addressed. Start out slow... I will walk a block, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes, even enter in 5K walks... walking is the best exercise as you get older, but don't get bored with just walking. Go swim, ride a bike, kayak, play games, tennis, bowl, hike different trails and mountains, be creative with your active self and just get moving. I do all of these, but spread them out in a week with a spirit of energy that gets me through the day, and then at night I feel like I have accomplished my active goals, enjoyed my friends, and while I mentally feel tired, it is a "good" tired.
You also have to plan what and when you eat... your nutrition should include nothing "white," but whole grains, the good fats (avocados, nuts, seeds, olives, soybeans, olive/canola oils -- but theseshould be eaten sparingly). Concentrate daily on fruits (5 servings each), veggies (5 servings each), whole grains, low-fat dairy products, beans, nuts, seeds, lean meats: fish; eggs; chicken.
Now take this list and plan each day what you will be eating... no fast foods, soda, little coffee or tea, and no artificial sweeteners. Sunday is a good day to plan your nutritional program for the week and then, just follow it. Watch portions of food on your plate -- do not overeat; when you go out to eat, after the waiter takes your order, immediately ask him/her to bring you a carry out box and when your food arrives, take half of each serving, put it in the box and close the lid, placing it away from you. Long life only depends on you -- the decisions you make in life, right vs. wrong, you gain an experience from the decisions. The next time those experiences come up again, you will allow yourself to make a better experience... or if it was a good decision in the first place, then,stick with it.
My philosophy for life has always been..."you only go through life's journey once, so you plan to make each day a better day than before and you look to the future with wild open eyes for choices that will make you healthy, develop good memories, be sure you treat others with that "warm, fuzzy" feeling, and always smile because smiling becomes contagious. Live as true to yourself, be there for others, have a positive outlook on life and prepare yourself for tomorrow because you never know what might be coming... so face the day with as much energy, happiness, love and you will live to be 100 years old... for every negative there is a positive, so stay on the positive and keep being active, enjoy each day to its fullest!
Wow, I didn't mean to write a book but I hope these are things you would like to share with your group....just tell them I am one of your old professors who hoped to bring out the best in you so you could succeed in life and be happy... so thanks for allowing me to be a part of that part of your life -- it was a privilege to have had the opportunity to teach you at CMSU.
Wishing the best for you always,
"Dr. P."
|
|---|
