About Harry
One of the most seasoned drum teacher and drummers in Nashville, TN.
Nashville Drummer & Teacher
Harry Wilkinson has had a highly respected career as a professional drummer, starting at a young age. He has recorded and played concerts throughout the United States and the world.
He grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee and started drumming at age 13. He excelled and his drum teacher brought him into the Chattanooga Symphony. He also played drums professionally as a teenager in the Chattanooga area.
Harry attended Indiana University studying Jazz with David Baker and percussion with George Gaber. At Indiana, he played in the David Baker Quintet and the IU Jazz Orchestra. As a college student he had drumming work in the Midwest.
Upon moving to NYC in 1970, Harry became drummer for jazz guitarist, Larry Coryell, recording three albums and touring the U.S. While in NYC, Harry did the percussion theme song for the CBS television show, NFL Today. Harry was the drummer on the classic hit, Wildfire, by Michael Martin Murphey, recorded at the famous Caribou Ranch recording studio in Nederland, Colorado. He also played drums for singer Gary Morris in Denver and recorded a national jingle for Frontier Airlines. Harry often enjoyed recordings he had done on the airwaves in the Rocky Mountain region.
Upon moving to Nashville, Harry has worked with Billy Luke Burton, Lobo and country artists The Thrasher Brothers, Teri Gibbs, David Alan Coe, and thirteen years on the Grand Ole Opry with the group The 4 Guys. He helped develop the drum teaching curriculum and taught lessons at Fork’s Drum Closet for many years and now enjoys teaching lessons at his well-equipped studio. Several of his drum students have won national awards and are currently working professional drummers in Nashville, working in studios, nightclubs and appearing on the Grand Ole Opry.
Harry also enjoys composing modern, instrumental music on marimba and vibraphone and has produced several CD’s that he uses in his drum teaching curriulum.
Harry’s Sponsors
Harry has gained many sponsors over the years. Many of these companies have been with Harry from his early years of playing in the studios and touring. It is not every day that you see a drum teacher with endorsements like these. Harry is very thankful for all of their support over the years.
Harry has been a Pearl Drum endorser for over thirty year
He teaches basic drumming techniques and moves students into learning elementary rock, jazz, and pop songs, in order to motivate students and give them the joy of playing real songs in their lessons. He features drums for left- and right-handed students. In addition to his drum teaching methods, he uses the recordings on his original music CDs in accordance with the student’s level.
Harry is also endorsed by Pro Mark drum sticks and Aquarian drum heads who provide him with both sticks and drum heads.