Drummer Jerry Roe has officially joined SONOR Drums as an endorsed artist, adding another chapter to a career that has spanned genres, generations, and musical traditions. Known for his ability to move effortlessly between the precision of Nashville studios and the raw energy of underground rock stages, Roe brings with him a lifetime of musical experience and a commitment to sound that goes far beyond technique.
Raised in Nashville, Jerry Roe was surrounded by music from the beginning. His home was filled with instruments, records, and the steady rhythm of rehearsals and recordings. His grandfather, Buddy Harman, was one of Nashville’s most respected upright bassists and a member of the city’s famed “A-Team” of studio musicians. Long before he played his first professional gig, he understood what it meant to support a song, to serve the artist, and to bring something honest to every performance. From an early age, Roe absorbed the rhythms of the profession, both literal and lived. Roe inherited not just the talent, but the discipline and ear required to thrive in the city’s competitive recording scene.
Over the past decade, he has recorded with some of the biggest names in contemporary country and Americana. His credits span a wide range of artists, including Keith Urban, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Lee Ann Womack, Rodney Crowell, Cody Johnson, Bailey Zimmerman, Hardy, Riley Green, and Molly Tuttle. Producers return to Roe not only for his steady hand and clean timing but also for his ability to interpret a song’s emotional core. Whether it’s a ballad or an uptempo radio single, Roe understands how to add just enough to elevate the track, never too much, never too little.
But his story doesn’t end at the studio door. Roe is also the drummer and co-founder of Friendship Commanders, a heavy and emotionally raw sludge-punk duo formed with songwriter and guitarist Buick Audra. The band has released several albums and toured widely, tackling themes of trauma, identity, and resistance through an intense musical lens. In this project, Roe’s playing is louder, more visceral, but always intentional. His background in structure and subtlety adds weight to the chaos, making every hit feel deliberate.
Roe’s decision to join SONOR is rooted in long-standing admiration. “Some of my favorite drummers growing up played SONOR,” he said. “They had this warmth and depth that always stuck with me. Even before I ever touched one, I knew they were special.” He’s now selected the SQ2 Series, Vintage Series, and Kompressor Snare Series: lines praised for their tonal flexibility, durability, and rich craftsmanship.