Nashville, TN -
Always the entertainer at home, Derik's family and friends encouraged him to perform at parties and weddings, which by the time he was fifteen years old, included taverns and biker bars in and around Washburn, Illinois. Further encouraged by the other musicians and singers he performed alongside, Derik began making an almost annual trek to Nashville to "learn what the music business was all about." Accompanied by performer and mentor John Hartenbower, Derik first sang at Nashville's famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge at sixteen years of age. Subsequent trips to Nashville led to performances at dozens of popular singer and songwriter havens, including the Broken Spoke where Derik met and shared his songs with a famous recording artist who was encouraged by the number of other singers and writers who shook his hand and wanted to hear more. Derik recorded some original songs and handed cassettes out to anyone who wanted a copy. This provided more welcomed feedback from professionals in Nashville which Derik not only embraced but absorbed.
Theatrical work in high school including student directing, working in his family business, attending Illinois Central College, and live performances rubbing shoulders with some of the most talented writers, musicians, and singers in the music industry prepared Derik Schumacher well to breakout onto the music scene with an impact few "new" artists have known.
In August of 2004 Derik came to Nashville to sing on three demonstration recordings at the invitation of a hit songwriter. This experience in the studio and the interest Derik received from a major record label prompted Derik to move his family to Nashville in October of 2004.
At one early morning meeting after a late night writer's night Derik was introduced to a veteran record producer and publisher who immediately appreciated Derik's emotional intensity and "no fear" approach to songs, they began discussing working together to create an album. The result was a group of unique, fun, beautiful, and emotionally expressive songs written by some of the premier songwriters in the industry.
Derik contributed two songs to the album as a songwriter. Derik's debut album was released by Indie label Modern Vinyl Music in November 2005. His self-titled album contained two patriotic tributes to veterans, which was embraced by service men and women worldwide. This led to many opportunities for Derik to expand his fan-base, which led to a successful radio campaign for the single "She's Got What Gets Me". As a result, Derik was featured on several nationwide radio programs and has been involved with several fundraising events.
During this time, Derik was humbled by visits to many Veteran Homes and Hospitals and American Legions and V.F.W.'s nationwide. Derik was also asked to write a theme by the founder of Operation DVD, which is currently the opening music for their website OperationDVD.net.
Most recently, Derik has spent the last year and a half writing and building his catalog of songs. His next venture is to release his next single "In Memory Of" to radio. Paul Davis and Derik Schumacher are co-writers of this song that has been dedicated to the brave men and women who were taken in the line of duty. They are also co-founders of inmemoryofthem.netwhich is a virtual memorial site where family and friends can post their stories of those lost. Paul and Derik are negotiating with several national organizations to donate a portion of the proceeds to benefit the families of those taken in the line of duty to cover education expenses of the children, family counseling etc. Paul and Derik would love for you to stop by for a visit and urge you to help us "MAKE A DIFFERENCE""In Memory Of" available to radio now at http://www.airplaydirect.com/DerikMatthewSchumacher
Hey Derik HA! HA! thats too funny! I was just thinking awhile ago, will any one ever mention my pooping games?! There is a part in there that I ask does anyone ever read this stuff? HA!HA! I guess you do!! WOW that made my day! TOO FUNNY! have a great weekend! -JOHN ;)
Hey Derik!, Thanks for accepting my invitation!! Welcome! I really enjoy your selection of music. Check out some other great music, surf my friends, or my playlist! I try to get everyone on one of my play list! The list gets bigger every day! I'M HERE TO POST THE MUSIC I FIND:) THANKS AGAIN, JOHN ;)
The GANGFREE Project thanks you. In my 16-years working as a Corrections Officer, Gang Unit Commander and the President of the Florida and the National Gang Investigators Associations representing more than 20,000 gang professionals, I have seen too often the results of gang violence. I started the Rusty Keeble Foundation to begin working hard to save both our communities and our kids from the violence caused by gangs. Our latest assessment, which was released in January 2009 showed a reported 20,000 gangs and 1 Million gang members in the United States alone. It can be said, that an estimated 85% of all violent crime in the United States can be contributed in some way to gangs.
We are building an Army - a GANGFREE Project Army to build a grassroots effort to win this War on Gangs, stop the killing and breathe life back into our communities so our children (the future) can live and play instead of die and commit crimes.
Thanks again - please tell everyone you know about the GANGFREE Project and if you would, I would very much like to have the GANGFREE Project in your top friends list.
"When you look into the eyes of a child; you see the future. When a child looks to you with those same eyes; they see their future. What you do today will ensure their future."
We've got "In Memory Of" in our player as a part of our special Memorial Day music in honor of those who have given and continue to give for our freedom. God bless, ~Steve
Thanks for the friendship! I am glad that I found you on myspace. Hey if you are around Nashville, we are playing for a great benefit on June 6th at Centennial Park in Nashville and we would love for you to join us. It is for a great cause! Either way, we will let you know when we get music posted so you can let us know what you think. Talk to you soon! Here is more information on the event if you want to participate...... On June 6, 2009, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America will host its yearly Take Steps event at Centennial Park in Nashville. The event starts at 4:00 pm and registration is at the Band Shell. A lot of different businesses and groups participate and I would be honored if you would join my team or if you prefer you can create your own. I am flying out with my Los Angeles based band, Svedish Fish, in support of this event and we would love to see you there representing the music community in Nashville. To join our team go to http://online.ccfa.org/site/TR/Walk/Chapter-Tennessee?pg=entry&fr_id=1240 and enter Team Savannah & Svedish Fish.
Hey buddy...your not accepting incoming calls anymore so maybe one day you'll make an outgoing call to me? Been a long time...hit me up. 615-720-7710 Later
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