Danny H. Erkman Sr. (born March 28, 1953, Evansville, Indiana) is an independent drummer. Danny has played all over the United States with different artists and bands. He has also created a signature sound in numerous studios that is all Danny. If you ask Danny about his ability, you will hear that it's a God-given gift and it takes a lot of practice. When he isn't playing or recording, he is practicing.
Danny's musical journey started at Highland grade school when he was nine years old. His music teacher, John Koehler, showed the children some basic technics on a snare. The teacher wanted them to repeat the technic. The first time Danny touched that snare he did an open to close double stroke roll. Danny said there was a buzz associated with playing the snare drum. Mr. Koehler asked him if he had previously taken lessons. The answer to that would be a no. You could say the drums chose Danny, and it sparked something in his soul.
For the next two years, Danny would borrow equipment from the school and make cymbals out of pot lids at home. He would pay along to records and the radio. Danny also went to the library to study up on this new passion of his. He wanted to learn all there was to learn.
When Danny was 11 years old, his dad bought him a snare and cymbal set for Christmas. He continued to play along to the records and radio. Danny was always listening, watching, and practicing.
The following summer, when Danny was 12 years old, he asked his dad to co-sign with him. He bought his first kit at Schuttlers Music. Danny remembers helping paint a house for the down payment. He received a payment book and paid the $175 himself. That summer he mowed yards and did odd jobs to pay for the kit.
Danny now had the right equipment to pursue his love of music. He watched and listened to other drummers, then formed his technic. Danny wanted to play it all and practiced all the different genres to accomplish his goal. He took his style from drummers of all types of music from all walks of life. This mixture of talent is undoubtedly the Erkman technic.
Danny could always be found playing with other local boys at parties and wherever they could play their music. In eighth grade, Danny and his best friend, Warren Watson, won a school talent show. They both grew up playing in bands around the tri-state area sometimes, they even played together. The first gig Danny and Warren played, that paid, was a birthday party for a girl they knew. Their payment was each a bottle of English Leather.
The first band Danny played for, that earned him money, was a rock band called The Vikings. He was just 14 years old at the time. Danny was playing in clubs and bars in the tri-state area this was all before Danny could even legally drink or enter these establishments. Danny learned to balance his school work with bands he played in including school bands such as marching band, concert band, and All-City band.
The first band Danny recorded a record with was Country Incorporated. Danny learned a new love in music. He fell in love with creating and fine-tuning a song to make it his own in a studio.
Making music is something Danny takes seriously. It is his passion and his career and treats it as such. He even learned to sing while drumming. Danny has always said that drumming comes first, but his talents also include backup and lead vocals when it's needed. Danny is always adding to his abilities and studying his craft.
Through the years, Danny has had a steady career with different artists and has had the privilege to create many recordings. At the heart of it Danny is still that nine-year-old boy doing an open to close double stroke roll for the first time. His wonderment of music that sparked his soul has never died. There is always something new to learn and to love you must look for it.
