Derek is an A-List First Call session player out of Nashville. He’s played on over 30 (yes, THIRTY) Number 1 songs and was the Academy of Country Music’s Guitar Player of the year, in 2016.

He’s played on albums for Kid Rock, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Shakira, Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Motley Crue, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and many others…

And yet… he didn’t start playing guitar until age 17! You’ll hear the full story in this conversation, including… how he got started… how he got “good”… a great story about his 1961 Gibson SG and his 1953 Fender Telecaster… and the toughest thing he’s ever had to do in business…