As graduate of the renowned Berklee College of Music, Nate Morton brings a definite wild side to his esteemed musical pedigree. A chief example is one of Nate's primary influences: "Animal" from "The Muppets." He also cites both his parents and his first drum instructor, Grant Menefee as important support during his early musical years.
Such an intriguing brew of inspiration resulted in Nate's noteworthy accomplishments which include his gig on "Rock Star," but also serving as drummer for artist Vanessa Carlton, his two years of work with jazz great Natalie Cole and touring with Chaka Khan and Poe.
He also performed with Madonna at the 2002 Grammy Awards, and more recently worked a national tour with the "American Idol" band.
date of birth: December 30
place of birth: Nashville, TN
grew up where? Mostly between Baltimore and Washington DC.
first gig: High school talent show with Akamilli, my first band.
who have you worked with?:
Vanessa Carlton, Javier Colon, Poe, Natalie Cole, BT, Mandy Moore, Chaka Khan, All 4 One, Missing Persons, Tommy Henriksen, Billie Myers, Richard Marx, Michael Bolton, Michael Thompson and Paul Anka.
musical and life influences:
Cynthia Shepard and Grant Menefee, the first two music instructors who actually encouraged me. Dave Sitek, leader of my high school garage band. Irvin Madden, Baltimore bass player, who played with me even though i stunk. Animal from the muppets.
books:
Carmine Appice, Realistic Rock - Ted Reid, Syncopation - Gary Chaffee, Time Functioning, Vol 3
most memorable musical experience:
Akamilli, my high school garage band, played our first gig at our high school talent show and brought the house down. Not because we were that good... on the contrary, we were terrible, but we were LOUD, ROCKIN' and a lot more fun to watch than the kid reciting Shakespeare (I didn't say more talented). From that point forth it became increasingly less likely that I'd be a mechanical engineer. Sorry dad.
favorites to listen to:
Rage Against the Machine - ANY
Fishbone – Reality of My Surroundings
Jimmie’s Chicken Shack - Represent
24-7 Spyz – Heavy Metal Soul By The Pound
Israel and New Breed - Another Level
The Urge – Receiving the Gift of Flavor
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Kim Burrell - LIVE
hobbies: Chess, movies, and cooking...with mixed results.
quote:
"Bottom line is, I hit things with sticks for a living, and that's a pretty fun job."
