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Eric Darken

American percussionist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Eric A. Darken is an American percussionist, composer, and programmer.

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Biography

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Drawing inspiration from his grandfather, a band leader. Darken began playing drums at age 12, and played timpani and mallets in high school. Darken attended Brevard College in Brevard, North Carolina, then transferred to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Darken was also a part of the ORTV Richard Roberts television show.[1]

Darken has participated in recording sessions for Bon Jovi, Jewel, Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Swift.[2]

Darken has toured in support of Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Take 6, and Bob Seger.[3] Darken toured with Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band up until Buffett’s death in September 2023.[4]

Darken has written underscores for TV shows, including Dateline NBC, 20/20, Fox Sports, Discovery Channel, NFL Network, and National Geographic, and for the film, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Darken created percussion samples and loops for various digital collections, including the Organic Percussion library of samples, loops, and presets, and the Eric Darken collection for Discrete Drums.[5]

In 2008, Darken won an Academy of Country Music award for Musician of the Year in the "Specialty Instrument" category.[6]

Darken won the Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Instrumental Album Of The Year in 1996.

Darken's first solo album, A Drummer Boy's Christmas, was a jazz Christmas album released in 1993. It was reviewed positively by the Chicago Tribune, whose Nancy Stetson said that it "shows the genre at its best" and "there is nothing cute or gimmicky".[7] Cashbox magazine also reviewed the album with favor, stating that it "is sure to be a favorite in living rooms and store stereos alike with classic- yet-pop-inflected interpretations of your favorites. There's even a few new tunes to make this album worth a second look."[8]

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Discography

Solo albums

  • 1993: A Drummer Boy's Christmas (Warner Alliance)
  • 1995: Cappuccino Afternoon (Unison)
  • 1995: Rhythm of the Night (Unison) compilation
  • 1999: Through the Highlands (Unison)

With The Players

  • 1996: The Players (Warner Alliance)

Also appears on

1991–1999

2000–2002

2003–2004

2005–2006

2007–2009

2010–2012

2013–2014

2015–present

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References

External links

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