Milton Sledge

Gretsch Artist Since: 1986

Country: US

Band or Affiliations: Studio Musician

Current Kit Setup:
USA Custom in Savannah Sunset Duco Gloss
14x22 BD, 8x12 RT, 9x13 RT, 16x16 FT

Influences:
Roger Hawkins, Buddy Rich, Ringo Starr, Levon Helm, Jim Keltner, Hal Blaine, Kenny Malone, Butch Trucks, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Kenny Buttrey, Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, Al Jackson Jr.

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
"My very first drum was a Gretsch. My last drums will be Gretsch. Nothing feels and sounds like a Gretsch drum. I believe playing Gretsch is what separated me from the pack of other drummers. Of the over 200 million sold records the I've been blessed to play on, 95% were done on my Gretsch drums.

Gretsch - My Sound "

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
"Never stop learning. Always believe in yourself. Be early and be prepared to stay late. And if you want to play the kit of your dreams, play Gretsch!!"

Bio:
Milton Sledge grew up in Athens, AL, not far from Muscle Shoals, an area known for its wide variety of music. After graduation from high school and a stint in the Army Band, Milton returned to the Shoals area to attend college and study music at the University of North AL. While in college there, Milton began to pursue his dream of playing in the recording studios of Muscle Shoals.

He played drums regularly in the studios there for 4-5 years.

Soon he began to receive more and more calls for recording sessions in Nashville. This prompted him to move there in 1984, where he has been a mainstay in the Nashville recording studios ever since. Milton can be heard on many recordings including those of: John Anderson, Barbara Mandrell, Tracey Lawrence, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Travis, The Amazing Rhythmn Aces, Asleep at the Wheel, Mark Chesnutt, Paul Overstreet, Bryan White, Becky Hobbs, Crystal Gayle, Neal McCoy, Juice Newton, Eddie Rabbitt, The Statler Brothers, Gene Watson, The Moffits ,Kathy Mattea, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, Alabama, Hal Ketchum, Shenendoah, Trisha Yearwood, Pam Tillis, Chris LeDoux, Vince Gill, Toby Keith and Garth Brooks, to name a few. Milton has played drums on over 30 #1 Singles and record albums that have sold over 180 million copies.

In February 2014, Milton moved back to his hometown of Athens to "give back" by working with and teaching local musicians. Milton is once again an active part of the music scene in the Muscle Shoals area, as well as continuing to work in Nashville. In October 2016, Milton was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame as a member of The G-Men, Garth Brooks studio band, who have been recording together for 30 years.