Shawn Watkins
I’m Shawn Watkins, a passionate and multi-faceted drummer from Tampa, Florida. My style has been described as, powerful, energetic, aggressive, and dynamic.
Background: I was gifted a snare drum at the age of 5. With no idea of how this would shape my life, I began private lessons almost immediately. At 6 I was performing in community talent shows only to grow to regional and ultimately national finals in Manhattan where I won the “Best musician award” at age 8. In Middle school I was working steady professional jobs in dinner theaters and local venues. My high school years brought me to the Pinellas County Center for the Arts where I continued my studies and preparation for college. During that time I auditioned for and was cast in the Steve Vai video “The Audience is Listening“.
From these humble beginnings, I found myself at Ithaca College of Music studying with world renowned percussionist Gordon Stout on a full tuition scholarship. I continued on to hone my craft nationally and internationally through countless late nights, tours, venues of all sorts, and soul-searching sessions.
Influences: Albeit a very long list, my musical DNA is woven with threads from legends like Buddy Rich, Stewart Copeland, and Danny Carey. Their ability to bare their souls through music has left an indelible mark on my artistry.
Recent Endeavors: Recently, I stepped into the studio to practice with Will Johns to prepare for our April 2024 Florida tour. Check out our tour dates https://willjohns.com/gigs/
What’s Next: https://thefestfl.com/
Let’s Connect: Follow my musical path on social media (IG @bandanabeats), where I share snippets of life, performances, studio sneak peeks, and the occasional late-night ramble.