John Hammond

Gretsch Artist Since: 2012

Country: US

Band or Affiliations: Nashville studio, The Smoking Section, Amy Grant

Current Kit Setup:
USA Custom in Driftwood Gray
16x22 BD, 7x10 RT, 8x12 RT, 14x14 FT, 16x16 FT

Broadaster
16x22 BD, 8x12 RT, 9x13 RT, 16x16 FT

Brooklyn in Sea Foam Green Sparkle
16x24 BD, 8x12 RT, 9x13 RT, 16x16 FT

5x14 Ridgeland SD, 6.5x14 Ridgeland SD
6.5x14 Brooklyn COB
5x14 USA Custom
various vintage Gretsch snares

Influences:
"The studio greats from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, e.g., Jeff Porcaro, Carlos Vega, Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan; local Atlanta area drummers - Barry Borden, Bryan Holmes; my older brother, Mark."

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"That great Gretsch sound! It's the sound I grew up listening to on my favorite records, and it's the sound I want."

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"Learn your craft, from playing as many styles as possible to how to tune your drums. Dedicate yourself to getting better every day."

Bio:
John Hammond began his professional music career more than 40 years ago touring with Grammy Award winning artist Russ Taff. Since then John has recorded or performed with such renowned artists as Whitney Houston, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Olivia Newton-John, Barry Manilow, Peter Cetera, Cliff Richard, Amy Grant, Idina Menzel, Larry Carlton, Ricky Skaggs, Reba McEntire, Jewel, Clint Black, Christopher Cross, Gino Vannelli, Michael McDonald, The Spinners, and Colbie Caillat, to name but a few. In addition, he continues a demanding studio recording career, working on numerous album projects both locally and internationally, music for various theme parks (including Disney and Busch Gardens), national theater productions, jingles, and much more. He is also a member of the bands The Smoking Section and Dogs of Peace.

John’s work has also been featured on the movie soundtracks for the Oscar-nominated animated feature Anastasia, Robert Duvall’s The Apostle, Steven Spielberg’s The Prince of Egypt, Ellen DeGeneres’ Mr. Wrong, and the Erwin Brothers I Can Only Imagine, I Still Believe, and Jesus Revolution. He has performed with various artists on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, The View, and Pepsi Smash, and held house band positions for the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards broadcast (multiple times), CeCe’s Place - a live music variety show featuring CeCe Winans and a multitude of artists from all genres of music, The Music City Show, and more recently as a member of The Music City Connection - the featured house band on Huckabee. He has also appeared in national telecasts for many other musical productions, including Manilow Country, a television variety special featuring Barry Manilow and some of country music’s top artists. In addition, he has been privileged to perform for the President of the United States on two occasions. He is also a regular to accompany the Nashville Symphony in various productions when a rhythm section is needed.