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Steve Brewster: Tullahoma to the Top

by | Jul 2024

ALOW RUMBLE pulsed through the speakers. The bassline laid the foundation. Steve Brewster inhaled, inspiration filling his body. The drummer beside him gave him a quick nod. Brewster nodded back, his heart hammering a steady rhythm against his ribs. Then, the first notes of a renowned artist’s signature riff tore through the silence. Brewster had heard it a thousand times on recordings, but the raw power of it live sent a jolt through him. His body moved on instinct, sticks blurring as he hammered out the beat, locking in with the bassist and creating a harmony of sounds that perfectly complemented the artist’s searing guitar. The world around him faded away. There was only the music – a pulsing, living entity he was a part of. Time dissolved, replaced by a sense of pure, unadulterated joy. He kept time and added his voice to the song; his soul lay on the drumhead.

Growing up in Tullahoma, music was everywhere for Brewster. It was the cradle of his musical awakening. 

“In the late ‘70s, there must have been something in the Tullahoma water system back then,” he explained. “There was an unusually high level of musical talent during that three to four-year span.” 

High school brought Brewster an onset of new challenges and opportunities. As a member of the school band and jazz ensemble, he found himself thrust into a world of connection and competition unlike anything he had ever experienced. Under the guidance of mentors like Brian Guess, a jazz enthusiast who introduced him to a new world of music, and Ann Baldwin, who taught him how to drum behind vocalists without overpowering them, Brewster’s passion for music became something extraordinary. 

“They saw the passion in me and the dream, and they were some of the first people in my life who saw it and pulled it out of me.”

Beyond the marching band, Brewster’s musical compass pointed him in other directions. He honed his skills with the jazz ensemble and became a drummer for the Tullahoma High School Singers – the elite vocal group at the high school. 

“I wasn’t an all-star athlete, but I excelled when I got to play music and be a part of bands. Those opportunities were the beginnings of living out my dream.”

A particular memory brings a smile to his face. 

“In 1979, my junior year, we made it to the finals of the Contest of Champions. 

You can actually find that performance on YouTube,” he added. “It’s pretty beautiful.”

Unlike many musicians who dream of a single band or genre, Brewster craved variety. He discovered the world of studio musicians — the chameleons who seamlessly adapt to different artists and styles. This became his dream — to be a musical chameleon, a drummer who could elevate any song he touched.

“As a teenager, I loved so many different styles that I didn’t want to be in one famous rock band or one artist band,” he explained. “I wanted to be in all of it.”

Along with the music, his community and family’s support gave him the courage to chase his dreams. From his parents, who stood by his side as he pursued his passion, to his classmates, who cheered him on from the sidelines, Brewster was surrounded by a network of love and encouragement that propelled him forward. 

With the wind of destiny at his back, Brewster set his sights on Nashville, the beating heart of the country music industry. 

Before the internet, building a career was based on reputation, reliability, and skill. Every gig and session was a chance to impress and earn the recommendation that would lead to the next opportunity.

Brewster credits his fellow musicians on countless gigs over the years for shaping his skills.

“Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “They taught me, I taught them, and their work ethic, musical diversity, and expanding boundaries always inspired me. And in turn, I hope I did that for them, too.”

Over the years, he built a reputation as a drummer who could effortlessly navigate between blues, country, and rock, all while laying down a groove that felt effortless yet undeniably solid. His ultimate goal is to provide whatever the song, artist, and producer genuinely need to produce the highest quality sound. 

For years, Brewster has called Nashville home, carving out a niche for himself as a freelance drummer and studio musician. From the halls of legendary recording studios to the neon-lit stages of honky-tonk bars, he’s left his mark on the city’s vibrant music scene, one beat at a time. He’s worked with groups like Little Big Town, Jewel, Dierks Bentley, and Chicago. 

But for Brewster, true success isn’t measured in accolades or fame. It’s measured in the lives he’s touched and the music he’s helped bring to life. Whether collaborating with rising stars or sharing the stage with icons, his passion for music burns as brightly as ever. 

As he looks back on his journey so far, Brewster can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the people and the places that shaped him into the musician he is today. From the humble streets of his hometown to the vibrant avenues of Music City, he has blazed a new path for his community. 

His message to aspiring musicians, especially those from his hometown of Tullahoma, is clear: “If I can do it, you can do it. But it takes a strong work ethic. You’ve gotta be dedicated and coachable.” GN 

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