Meet DERREK PHILLIPS | PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN

We had the good fortune of connecting with DERREK PHILLIPS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DERREK, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I am a father of 5 children (4 biological and 1 foster son). First off, I married and had children with a phenomenal woman who is relentless in helping to create opportunities for our children to grow, evolve and succeed. My impact upon my kids is undeniably connected to the woman I partnered with, the woman that birthed our kids.

The most important thing that I believe I did personally, aside from the previously stated, was encouraging them to become their own person. We provide our children with opportunities to explore every aspect of their childhood; to push beyond the envelope, the stereotypes, and the social norms. We exposed them all to theater, history, visual arts, music, accelerated academics, diverse cultures and their ancestry. Our favorite times together are consistently having meals, playing board games and traveling together. This was done not only out of personal love for those things but also to let them form their own world views, opinions and tastes.

Their mother and I are fans of them using their voices and choices for themselves. continuously encourage critical thinking with debate and full bodied discussion. As our children mature and evolve, we see our dreams materialize right before our eyes. I had no desire to create miniature versions of myself when I became a father. I aspire to see my children be the best versions of them selves.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Diversity and flexibility are the two biggest characteristics of my musical career.

I grew up in a home where I heard every type of music. Nothing was off limits with my family. I was exposed to Prince, BB King, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Mozart, Run DMC, U2, Metallica, Barbara Mandrell and everything in between. This set my on a path of being able to enjoy and fit into any musical context.

My first drum instructor, at age 6, taught me drum set and hand percussion. I learned how to read music notation. I learned by rote. I refined my reading comprehension through classical and orchestral music. I studied improvisation in jazz ensemble and on local jazz gigs. I participated in theater, concert band, jazz band, marching band, wind ensemble, and choir, diversifying my ever expanding repertoire. I became a chameleon of sorts, devouring every vinyl record, cassette tape and 8-tracks in my childhood home, deconstructing and transcribing detail after detail of the recordings.

As I began my career, I found myself playing in rock bands, smooth jazz bands, Latin jazz bands, R&B bands, community orchestras, pit orchestras for local theater musicals, hip hop bands, etc. My ability to shift gears deepened and became my calling card. I became “The drummer who can do any gig”. Not only was this fun, it helped to increase my chances of employment and make a decent income.

This trait became crucial as I relocated to the Nashville area. I found myself going from an Americana recording session to a R&B rehearsal only to end the night with a jazz gig. Again, that flexibility made music exciting, challenging and plentiful. Although my knowledge of music was expansive, I was limited in my knowledge of country music. I began a deep dive into vintage and modern country. Thankfully, this made me attractive in a community who mostly knew me as a “jazz drummer”. Soon, I would find myself backing up Hank Williams, Jr.

Even with a diverse background as an asset, I have to overcome many stereotypes to achieve respect and credibility. Being able to improvise would often turn people off to the idea that I could “play pocket”, i.e. keep a steady rhythm without wavering or adding impulsive notes here and there. At the very least, there was a lack of confidence in my ability to play hard or “rock out” because I can play music with a sensitive touch. Landing and keeping the Hank Jr gig killed a bit of the prejudice I experienced.

Thankfully, my ability to fit into any situation has been an invaluable asset. The beauty of it is, I don’t have to change who I am because being diversified and flexible is something I grew up with.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Nashville has to many great things to offer for day and night life. Here is a great week in Nashville:

SUNDAY:
Breakfast/brunch at the Loveless Cafe (best biscuits and jam around)
Walk around the Parthenon in Centennial Park.
Slim and Husky’s for early dinner (hip hop inspired flat bread pizzas, salads and cinnamon rolls)
Then the 5 Spot in East Nashville for SUNDAY NIGHT SOUL (featuring local artist performing mostly R&B and soul original music) plenty of dancing and drinks to be had

MONDAYS:
Breakfast at Red Bicycle for crepes and coffee
Country Music Hall of Fame tour
Early dinner at Husk
Rudy’s Jazz Room for Salsa Night (dancing and red beans and rice)

TUESDAY:
Breakfast at Sky Blue
Tour the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland Hotel
Lunch at Mas Tacos
Nap/walk around East Nashville
Dinner at Butcher and Bee
Western Swing Dancing at the Legion Hall
Underdog (favorite dive bar with great guitar music)

WEDNESDAY:
Coffee/breakfast at Crema
Shopping at Green Hills Mall
Lunch at Vui’s (great pho and ramen)
Frist Museum for an exhibit
Dinner at Avo (amazing vegan food and cocktails)
Show at Blue Bird Cafe
Singing at Sid’s Gold Hour

THURSDAY:
Coffee and breakfast tacos at Tempo (know the owner personally)
Boating on Percy Preist Lake for midday.
Hit Prince’s Hot Chicken for early dinner
ACME Feed and Seed – my favorite band plays every Thursday (funk and soul classics) several beers on tap and unique food menu

FRIDAY:
**all day on Broadway**
Snooze for Breakfast
Tour the Ryman Auditorium – Birthplace of Grand Ole Opry (my favorite music venue)
Quick lunch in 5th and Broadway food court
Tour the National Museum of African-American Music
Dinner at Eddie Vs/Drjnks at 1230 Club
Hit the Honky Tonks on Broadway (Roberts, Rippys, Second Fiddle, Legend’s, Tootsie’s, etc)

SATURDAY:
Early Hiking/walk in Shelby Bottoms
Coffee and snacks at Dose Coffee
REST
Early dinner at Lyra (Mediterranean tapas)
Nashville Soccer Club Match (MLS Soccer game)
Drinks at SoHo House

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Although my entire family is the most obvious choice, I would like to recognize my old friend, Ivan Arrivas.

I was first introduced to Ivan in middle school. Since the junior high I attended was seventh thru ninth grade, freshmen musicians were able to join the local high school jazz band and marching band. As a seventh grader, I aspired to commute to the high school and join the groups to play music beyond the standard concert band repertoire.

The high school band director would travel to my elementary school and give me private lessons on music reading comprehension. Ivan was the volunteer drum instructor at the high school was made aware of my passion and prowess on the drums and sought me out in the eighth grade. There was an instant mutual respect because we both were avid listeners to every style of music.

In ninth grade, I became the youngest member of my local high school drum line. Ivan would often invite the drum line over to write drum cadences and listen to music at his house. He had an incredible stereo system with tape decks, turntables, high end speakers, and tons of vinyl records and cassette tapes. Ivan showed us the art of making a solid mixtape, which got me hyped! Ivan would let me create countless personalized compilations for me to take home on cassette. Many hours were spent absorbing and analyzing albums of R&B, Rock, Broadway musicials, Pop, Heavy Metal, Reggae, and more.

Being made aware of my deep love for music, he introduced me to the world of drum corps. He suggested that I audition for a local organization called the Concord (California) Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. This was an elite group of musicians and dancers that compete every summer, exhibiting the utmost excellence with technical proficiency as they march across a football field creating a myriad of designs and shapes. We watched a video from the previous year of their performance. I saw 128 young people weaving thru one another in a matter seconds, all the while playing bombastic and virtuostic beats, dizzying melodies and spinning sabres, flags, and rifles through the sky. I was hooked at first sight.

I participated in the Blue Devils for four years, playing snare drum. This not only allowed me to gain proficiency in drumming rudiments and marching, but it shaped my future and career, opening more doors to teaching, performing, and educational options I never knew existed. It was a defining moment securing that I would pursue music as a career rather than just a hobby. Today, I currently have an extensive resumé of performances all over the world, over one hundred recording credits, teaching credentials, several television appearances and 2 Grammys to my name. Those were all made possible with Ivan Arrivas being a part of musical and professional journey.

Thank you, Ivan Arrivas, for leaving an indelible mark. You changed my life.

Website: https://www.derrekcphillips.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derrekcphillips/?igsh=MWlsbXh2bTFwdmZuYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derrekcphillips/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1BG5rwk3Ydmjjrhk3OToag

Other: BANDCAMP:
https://derrekphillipsmanufactory1.bandcamp.com/album/offering

Image Credits
Photos by Riley Mau, Hayley Gjertsen and Derrek Phillips