Aaron Sterling (born July 9, 1980) is an American drummer, producer, engineer, and session musician who lives in Los Angeles and Nashville, Tennessee. The son of professional musicians, Sterling grew up in Texas and Nashville, before moving to L.A. in 2000.[1] Known for his studio work, Sterling has played on hundreds of records over the past decade and has drummed for John Mayer since 2011,[2] and has recorded for artists such as Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Post Malone, Lana Del Rey, Madison Cunningham, Keith Urban, Ben Rector, Lizzy McAlpine, Maren Morris and many, many more.[3]
Aaron Sterling | |
|---|---|
 Sterling at Red Rocks Amphitheater in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | July 9, 1980 |
| Origin | Garland, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Rock, pop, country, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer, producer, engineer, session musician |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, percussion, keyboards |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Website | www |
Sterling was the drummer on Mayer's Born and Raised, Paradise Valley, and Sob Rock albums and played in the band for Mayer's 2013–2014 World Tour,[4] as well as the John Mayer 2019 and 2022 world tours [5] Sterling also appeared in the music videos for "Queen of California",[6] Carry Me Away, and Last Train Home.
Equipment
editSterling plays a mix of Sugar Percussion[7] and various vintage drums, Istanbul Agop Cymbals,[8] Pro-mark[9] Drumsticks and Evans Drumheads.
Discography
edit2000s
edit2010s
edit2020s
edit| Year | Artist | Album | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Shawn Mendes | Wonder | Drums |
| Pablo Alborán | Vertigo | Drums, Engineer | |
| Various Artists | Ven A Cantar [Chorus Tik Tok 3] | Drum | |
| Pablo López | Unikornio Once Millones De Versos Despues De Ti | Drums | |
| Dustin Lynch | Tullahoma | Drums, Drum Engineering | |
| Caitlyn Smith | Supernova | Drums, Percussion | |
| Russell Dickerson | Southern Symphony | Drums | |
| Various Artists | Soundtrack to Summer 2020 | Drums, Recording | |
| Caylee Hammack | Small Town Hypocrite | Drums, Engineer, Percussion | |
| Various Artists | Pride Month | Drums | |
| Noah Schnacky | Noah Schnacky EP | Drums | |
| Various Artists | NOW Country: Songs of Inspiration, Vol. 2 | Drums | |
| Kane Brown | Mixtape, Vol. 1 | Drums, Percussion | |
| Caylee Hammack | If It Wasn't for You | Drums, Engineer, Percussion | |
| Rascal Flatts | How They Remember You | Drums, Recording | |
| Various Artists | Hope: Songs of Love and Strength | Drums | |
| Lee Brice | Hey World | Drums, Engineer | |
| Niall Horan | Heartbreak Weather | Drums, Percussion | |
| Lindsay Ell | Heart Theory | Drums | |
| Rhett Walker | Good to Me | Drums, Engineer, Percussion | |
| Noah Schnacky | Feels Like Love | Drums | |
| Noah Schnacky | Comeback | Drums | |
| Various Artists | Big Machine Dance Party | Drums, Percussion | |
| Various Artists | Best of the Year 2020 | Drums, Percussion |
| Year | Artist | Album | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Quinn Sullivan | Wide Awake | Drums, Percussion |
| Lady A | What a Song Can Do | Drums | |
| Brett Young | Weekends Look a Little Different These Days | Drums, Percussion | |
| James Blunt | The Stars Beneath My Feet [2004-2021] | Drums | |
| Tomorrow X Together | The Chaos Chapter: Freeze | Drums, Engineer | |
| Tomorrow X Together | The Chaos Chapter: Fight or Escape | Drums, Engineer | |
| Various Artists | The Jesus Music Soundtrack | Drums | |
| John Mayer | Sob Rock | Drums, Percussion | |
| Mickey Guyton | Remember Her Name | Drums, Percussion | |
| Taylor Swift | Red [Taylor's Version] | Drum, Drums, Engineer, Percussion, Programming, Recording | |
| Callista Clark | Real to Me | Drums | |
| TobyMac | Promised Land | Drums | |
| Antonio Orozco | Pedacitos De Mi | Drums | |
| Niall Horan | Niall's Mix | Drums, Percussion | |
| Anne Wilson | My Jesus [Live in Nashville] | Drums | |
| Crowder / Anne Wilson | My Jesus | Drums | |
| Dierks Bentley | Make My World Go Black | Drums | |
| Laci Kaye Booth | Laci Kaye Booth | Drums, Percussion | |
| Fitz | Head Up High | Drums | |
| Antonio José | Fenix | Drums, Recording | |
| Explorer Tapes | Explorer Tapes | Drums, Percussion | |
| JP Saxe | Dangerous Levels of Introspection | Drums | |
| Various Artists | Cozy Christmas [November, 2021] | Drums, Engineer, Percussion | |
| Lana Del Rey | Chemtrails over the Country Club | Bongos, Drums, Tambourine | |
| Tomorrow X Together | Chaotic Wonderland [09-11-2021] | Drums, Engineer | |
| Various Artists | Best Country Valentine's Day | Drums, Percussion | |
| Jordan Smith | Be Still & Know | Engineer, Drums, Percussion, Programming | |
| David Bisbal | 20 Anos Contigo | Drums | |
| Alfred García | 1997 | Drums, Recording | |
| Sam Hunt | 23 | Drums, Percussion | |
| Nick Johnston | Young Language | Drums |
| Year | Artist | Album | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ben Rector | Wonderful World | Percussion, Piano |
| Nick Phoenix | Wide World | Drums | |
| Ben Rector | What Makes a Man | Drums, Percussion | |
| Tyler Dial | Way Back When | Drums, Percussion, Recording | |
| Tears for Fears | The Tipping Point | Drums | |
| TobyMac | The Goodness | Drums | |
| Maggie Rogers | Surrender | Drums | |
| Keith Urban | Street Called Main | Drums | |
| Brett Eldredge | Songs About You | Drums, Percussion | |
| Madeline Merlo | Slide | Drums | |
| Various Artists | Sing 2 [Original Soundtrack] | Drums | |
| Madison Cunningham | Revealer | Drums, Percussion | |
| Taylor Swift | Red [Taylor’s Version]: The Slow Motion Chapter | Drums, Percussion, Programming, Recording | |
| Taylor Swift | Red [Taylor’s Version]: Could You Be the One Chapter | Drums, Percussion, Programming, Recording | |
| Sheryl Crow / TobyMac | Promised Land | Drums | |
| Anne Wilson | My Jesus | Drums | |
| Various Artists | Momento Relax | Drums | |
| TobyMac | Life After Death | Drum, Drums, Percussion | |
| Brett Young | In Case You Didn't Know: The Love Songs | Drums | |
| Danielle Bradbery | In Between: The Collection | Drums, Percussion | |
| Brett Eldredge | I Feel Fine | Drums, Percussion | |
| Niall Horan | Hello Lovers Mix | Drums, Percussion | |
| Abbey Cone | Hate Me | Drums, Percussion, Recording | |
| Dierks Bentley | Gold | Drums, Percussion | |
| TobyMac | Everything About You | Drums | |
| Amos Lee | Dreamland | Drums | |
| Chayce Beckham | Doin' It Right | Drums | |
| Carrie Underwood | Denim & Rhinestones | Drums, Percussion | |
| Blessing Offor | Brighter Days | Drums, Percussion | |
| Dustin Lynch | Blue in the Sky | Drums, Drum Engineering, Engineer | |
| Brooke Annibale | Better by Now | Engineer, Drums, Percussion | |
| Chris Tomlin | Always | Drums, Percussion | |
| Andrea Bocelli / Matteo Bocelli / Virginia Bocelli | A Family Christmas | Percussion |
| Year | Artist | Album | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Carly Pearce | We Don't Fight Anymore | Drums, Percussion |
| P!nk | Trustfall | Drums, Engineer | |
| Antonio Orozco | Tocar el Corazon | Drums | |
| Joseph | The Sun | Drums, Engineer, Percussion | |
| Cody Fry | Symphonic | Drums, Percussion | |
| Tomorrow X Together | Sweet | Drums, Engineer | |
| Claud | Supermodels | Drums, Percussion | |
| Scot Sier | Space and Other Things | Drums, Engineer | |
| Joy Oladokun | Proof of Life | Drums, Percussion | |
| Jordyn Shellhart | Primrose | Drums, Percussion | |
| Blessing Offor | My Tribe | Drums, Percussion | |
| Dierks Bentley | Gravel & Gold | Drums, Percussion, Programming | |
| Wilder Woods | Fever/Sky | Drums, Percussion | |
| Brett Young | Dance With You | Drums | |
| Danielle Bradbery | Behind the Songs: In Between - The Collection | Drums, Percussion |
References
edit- ^ "Meet the Band – Aaron Sterling, Drummer". John Mayer official website. Archived from the original on 7 August 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ^ "Aaron Sterling". Drummerworld. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "Aaron Sterling | Credits". AllMusic.
- ^ "Features: Interview with Aaron Sterling". Mike Dolbear Drums. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ^ "John Mayer 💎 on Instagram: "This was the tour where all the pieces fell into place. The first tour without an album behind it, and a giant leap of faith that these songs could still matter after their time as chart contenders. You came, and you sang, and danced and wiped away tears and took inventory of what you had and what you'd lost, and all that's left to discover, and I was thinking the same things right along with you, every night. Dead and Company taught me the "we" of you and me. The "we" of a band. This most excellent, loving band. "We used to play for silver, now we play for life." We're off to Europe to play some very exciting shows soon, but not before thinking back on what - and who - you've shown to me. Thank you."".
- ^ "Queen of California". JohnMayerVEVO. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^ "FAMILY".
- ^ "Artists: Aaron Sterling". Istanbul Agop Cymbals website. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ^ "Aaron Sterling on Instagram: "@promarkbydaddario #fam"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
- ^ "Aaron Sterling Music Credits". AllMusic website. Retrieved 23 July 2014.