Happy Birthday to Mr. Barry Kerch of Shinedown!
Barry Kerch was born August 7, 1976, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He along with his family moved to Panama City, Florida at a young age.
Kerch began playing drums at the age of 7. He received his first snare drum as part of a deal that he made with his parents to perfect the basics of drumming before getting his first drum kit. Two years later, at the age of 9, Kerch got his first kit.
He played in the marching band in high school at Rutherford High School in Panama City and in college at the University of Central Florida where he earned a degree in anthropology. Barry also played in several local bands throughout that time.
Barry came to fame as the original drummer for Jacksonville, Florida based, high-octane rockers Shinedown. When the project came together in 2000, Barry was the seventh drummer who auditioned for the band. He ultimately filled the spot and became the new drummer of Shinedown.
Barry along with Brent Smith, Brad Steward & Jasin Todd began working on and creating demos for their record label Atlantic, eventually resulting in Shinedown’s debut album, Leave a Whisper released in May 2003. Since then, Shinedown has released seven full-length studio albums, including their latest, Planet Zero in 2022. Many of them have been certified gold or platinum by the RIAA.
In addition to his work with Shinedown, Kerch, known for his powerful and energetic drumming style, is a member of the Pearl Drum Company’s artist roster. He also endorses and uses Zildjian cymbals.
Outside of Shinedown, Kerch loves to cook, in particular BBQ. While out on tour, Barry helms full-on backyard BBQs backstage for both artists and crew.
Memories with Barry
I have had the opportunity to meet and interview Barry Kerch several times over the years. You can see those encounters in the photos below.
The first time I met Barry was at a show at the old Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA, along with Silvertide & Tantric. In the photo of our first meeting, you’ll notice that Kerch was just starting to grow out his luscious and now well-known dreadlocks.
Shinedown makes their triumphant return to the Philadelphia area this September as part of the 2023 MMR*B*Q! Get your tickets now to see eight great bands rock the stage at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Joining Shinedown is Billy Idol, Larkin Poe, Ayron Jones, Dirty Honey, Finger Eleven, Tigercub & MMR’s Local Shots Artist Vixen77.
Get your MMR*B*Q tickets here!
Tune in to WMMR today between 3p-7p as we celebrate Barry’s Birthday!
First Time I Met Barry... and Shinedown
The very first time I met Shinedown was the very first time I was able to catch them live. This was at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster in 2004. Barry’s dreads were barely to his shoulders at that point.
Brent Porche & Shinedown at the 'Carnival of Madness' Tour in Philadelphia
This photo was from the Carnival of Madness tour at the Festival Pier in Philadelphia. Chevelle, Puddle of Mudd, 10 Years and more were on the bill.
Brent Porche & Shinedown at the Tower Theatre
This photo was taken at the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby prior to Shinedown’s MMR Concert Event with NothingMore.
Brent Porche & Shinedown in New York City
This was taken at a special radio event in New York City at Tao Nightclub prior to the release of ‘Attention! Attention!’
Barry Kerch, Eric Bass & Brent Smith of Shinedown with Brent Porche in Hershey
This was taken in Shinedown’s dressing room at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA – part of the first leg of the Planet Zero World Tour.
Barry Kerch 'Threat to Survival' Drumhead
I got this drumhead on Shinedown’s Thread to Survival Tour at the Wells Fargo Center in December of 2016
Barry Kerch 'Attnetion! Attention!' Drumhead
This drumhead is similar to the kickdrum head that Barry Kerch had on his drumkit during Shinedown’s Attention! Attention! tour
Brent Porche with Barry Kerch & Eric Bass of Shinedown
This was from Shinedown’s Attention! Attention! tour at the (then) Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ.
Brent Porche Interviewing Barry Kerch
I got to interview Barry Kerch at Shinedown’s Carnival of Madness tour stop in Philadelphia at the Festival Pier.
