Dennis Palmer has been drumming for 25 years and has played professionally for a number of groups including Sweetwater Rose, Susan Benjey, Harlow and the Wager, Soular 7, The Solomon’s Porch Band, Rachel Harlow, Megan Santi, Lauren Maze, and Tom & Co. He was also in house bands backing Chris Vadala, Allen Vizzutti and Danny Gokey.

He grew up in Macon, Georgia, and left to pursue college and a music career. He has a Bachelor’s of Music in Performance from Valdosta State University.

He’s currently the first call drummer for The Circle Players theatre in Nashville and he’s also played with the Nashville Repertory Theatre, The Pull Tight Theatre, The Larry Keeton Theatre, and Imaginary Theatre Company. He’s on the worship team playing drums at Cross Point Church, Holy Trinity Community Church, and Fellowship Bible Church.

The highlight of his professional career to date was pretty recently when he played for “Chicago, The Musical” at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in 2016.

“I love collaborating with other musicians and creating musical moments that make people smile,” Dennis says. That leads him to enjoy teaching as well, “because I love helping people learn something new. It’s exciting to see a student take what they learn and apply it in a whole new way!”

The student who will do well with Dennis is the one who likes to work hard and have fun. “I believe that a little hard work can pay off and be a lot of fun!”

Dennis’ Teaching Philosophy: “I’m the guide and the student is the hero of their own story. I’m there to offer knowledge, wisdom, experience and motivation but their success is ultimately up to them.”

Where do you look for creative inspiration?
“Talking to people inspires me to be creative. I very often walk away from conversations with a new idea about something. I also try to listen to new music and try to learn how a particular artist arrived where they are musically.”

What causes are you passionate about?
“I’m passionately pro-life. As the father of two amazing kids, I know what a blessing they are and little ones should be protected at all costs!”

What’s your favorite local spot to spend time at when you’re not working & what do you do there?
“I love spending time at home with my family but when I’m not doing that, I’m usually in downtown Nashville somewhere supporting one of my friends who are playing music at great venues we have here in town.”

What type of music did you grow up listening to?
“I grew up listening to a weird mix of 90’s alternative rock and 90’s Christian Music. I still listen to both but I’ve expanded my horizons A LOT over the years.”

If you could meet one author, performer who would it be and what would you ask them?
“C.S. Lewis, and I’d probably just give him a big ole hug.”

What is your favorite quote?
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”  – Teddy Roosevelt

Salty Treat: Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeño Dip

Sweet Treat: Cookies

Fast Food Restaurant: Zaxby’s

Sit Down Restaurant: Amerigo

Coffee Drink: A Cuban

Movie/Show: Dune (the new ones)

Place to Shop: Amazon

Candle: Anything smoky or woodsy

Musician/Band: Sting or Steely Dan

Travel Destination: Mexico

I love to receive gift cards from: Amazon