Among Chad's early influences were drummer Al Jackson and the artists of Stax Records and artists such as Al Green on Willie Mitchell's Memphis based label, Hi Records. Jim Stewart, founder of Stax Records, along with Bobby Manuel, started a production company called The Daily Planet after the sale of Stax where Chad "hung out" and subsequently worked for The Daily Planet and learned a great deal about rythmn and recording. In fact, Jim and Bobby were key influences on Chad's style of drumming. Through associations with another recording studio in Memphis, Sounds Unreel, Chad caught an ear on the west coast and started playing with legendary guitarist Joe Walsh in 1986, a collaboration which produced two albums, Got Any Gum? and Ordinary Average Guy which resulted in multiple US and worldwide tours. The following year, 1987, Chad got the call to record with one of the world's most prolific songwriters, Neil Young. These sessions became Neil Young & The Bluenotes. After touring to promote this record, and producing MTV's 'Video of the Year', This Note's For You, Neil's interest circled back to 3-piece Rock & Roll which led to the New York and San Francisco recording sessions that ultimately became the album Freedom.In 1990, Chad moved to Nashville where Kenny Greenberg, Richard Bennett and Tony Brown were among the first producers to call in Chad for sessions in Nashville. These guys were extremely important in helping Chad to create a very successful recording career in Nashville. Formal recognition from his peers came first in 1996 when Chad was nominated for the Nashville Music Awards. He's been nominated numerous times since for the CMA and ACM musician awards. Chad's career has seen him in the studio and on stage/TV/touring with an impressive list of major recording artists. In addition to those already mentioned, Chad has worked with Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Boz Scaggs,Brooks and Dunn,Gary Allan, Amy Grant, Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood, Miranda Lambert, Bonnie Raitt, Diana Krall, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Peter Frampton and many,many more. Chad recorded and toured with Mark Knopfler for ten years (1995-2005). His playing can be heard on Knopfler's solo records including "Golden Heart", "Sailing To Philadelphia",The Ragpickers Dream"," Shangri La" and the Mark and Emmylou Harris record of duets called "All The Roadrunning."
The spring of 2005 brought a new project with Neil Young called "Prairie Wind."The spring of 2006 brought another recording called "Living With War."
Chad performed on Neil Young's Heart of Gold Movie, filmed and directed by Johnathan Demme, during the summer of 2005. Chad spent 2006 recording and touring with Neil Young and performing on CSNY's "Freedom of Speech Tour."
Currently, Chad is in the midst of a world tour with Neil Young and is not entirely sure when Neil wants to stop. A new record has been recorded in London and New York and should be complete by the end of February.More news to come on that.
For a more complete discography please visit www.allmusic.com
Additional info can be found at http://www.esession.com/chadcromwell
Endorsement info can be found at www.craviottodrums.com
www.zildjian.com
www.regaltip.com
Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Black
