Steve Potts began playing drums at 8 years old, while watching his older brother Paris (Alvin) Potts and cousin (Al Jackson, Jr.), who inspired Steve to play drums and marching drums in high school. On weekends he played clubs on the road with Stax Artists. Now, Steve is the drummer for Booker T and the MGs.
Born and raised in Memphis and working with great producers Jim Gains (Santana), Potts has been honored over the years to working with Willie Mitchell and Hi Records recording Pop Staples, Al Green, Marti Pellow, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay and more.
Other recordings include Neil Young, Booker T and The MGs, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kirk Whalum, Cat Power, David Crosby, Axelle Red, Maria Muldaur, Eddie Floyd, Terence Trent D’Arby, Boz Scaggs, Buddy Guy, Jesse Valenzuela, Lucky Peterson, Johnny Lang, Wynonna Judd, Robin Ford, Memphis Horns, Blues Brothers 2000, Tony Joe White, Lonnie Brooks, Rufus Thomas, Ike Turner, Bill Lee Riley, Mavis Staples, Shemekia Copeland, Otis Rush, Guy Sebastian and Luther Allison, to name a few.
His tours include Booker T and the MGs, Isaac Hayes, Gregg Allman, Neil Young, Crosby Stills, Nash and Young, Wynonna Judd, Cat Power, Blues Brothers Band, Golden Earring, and Guy Sebastian.
Potts has also made television appearances with artists on Oprah, Tonight Show, David Letterman, Ellen Degeneres, Good Morning America, Eric Clapton (Crossroads) with Joe Walsh and the Super Bowl Half Time Show, featuring The Blues Brothers 2000 Band (John Goodman, Jim Belushi and Dan Akyroyd). Soundtracks include Great Debaters ‘Blues Brothers 2000’ and the movie ‘Michael’. He is a recipient of Memphis Awards National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and Premier Player Awards.
To no surprise, Steve Potts is a Pearl endorsed artist and plays the crème de la crème when it comes to drumming equipment. His choice of cymbals is Zildjian, along with Regal Tip drumsticks. He is particularly fond of maple based drums.
Steve is blessed to be a part of Memphis and Memphis music. To view his drumming discography, visit the All Music Guide online.
Steve Potts Drum Solo in Australia
'The Memphis Tour' with Guy Sebastian & The MGs