Shannon Forrest
Shannon Forrest (born August 22, 1973, in Easley, South Carolina[1]) is an American drummer and percussionist known primarily for his session work. As a session drummer, he has contributed to the work of many well-known artists, and he is also a producer and engineer. Additionally, he was the touring drummer of Toto from 2014 to 2019, and again from 2024 to the present.
Shannon Forrest
Biography[edit]
Session work[edit]
Forrest began his career working with his father Otis Forrest at The Sounding Board Studio in Easley, SC. There he recorded many projects with traditional southern Gospel and local country artists. He moved on to work as a Nashville session musician, where Forrest has been involved in the recording of successful albums by Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Chieftains, Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Womack, Jerry Douglas, Merle Haggard, Tim McGraw, Josh Turner, Toby Keith, Alabama, Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Rogers and many others.[2]
Toto[edit]
Forrest had been a touring musician with Toto since 2014, taking the place of Keith Carlock.[3] Forrest performed with Toto in 2009 when they were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville [2] and he cites Jeff Porcaro and Lenny Castro as his biggest influences. After disbanding in 2019, Toto returned in 2020 with a new lineup which didn't include Forrest. However, it was announced on the band’s Facebook page that he and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes were returning ahead of the 2024 tour.[4]
Dukes of September[edit]
From 2010 to 2012, Forrest played with Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, and Donald Fagen on their Dukes of September tours.[5]
Equipment[edit]
Forrest currently plays Pearl Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, and Innovative Percussion. Previously, he was the sole exclusive artist for the Brady Drum Company. For his work with Toto, Forrest used a Brady Jarrah Ply drum kit with a red sparkle finish, which was mounted on a Pearl Icon rack.[6]
Forrest also plays Gon Bops Mariano Congas, Mariano bongos, and Mariano Djembes.[1]