Nate Felty

Originally from Syracuse, New York, Nate Felty is an experienced live/session drummer and educator. He is an adjunct instructor of drum set at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee – joining in August, 2024. He is also adjunct instructor of drum set and University Jazz Ensemble director at Sewanee University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Additionally, he is the drummer for nationally touring country music artist, Zach Top.

Felty graduated from the State University of New York College at Oswego with bachelor’s degrees in Music and Spanish Language in May, 2012, moving to Nashville, Tennessee in August of the same year. He earned his master’s degree in Commercial Music (Performance Emphasis) from Belmont University in May, 2014.

Prior to his work with Zach Top, Felty has previously toured with notable artists, such as Ben Haggard (son of Merle Haggard) and The Strangers, Abby Anderson, Yola, Shannon Lauren Callihan, Devon Gilfillian, Dynamo, Baylee Littrell, Josh Gracin, Dan Smalley, and Brassfield. He has also performed with artists such as Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, and AJ McLean (of Backstreet Boys); Lainey Wilson; Billy Strings; Hunter Hayes; Joss Stone; Old Dominion; Brothers Osborne; Chris Young; Cole Swindell; Caroline Jones; Tyler Farr; Shaun Martin, Bob Lanzetti, and Justin Stanton (of Snarky Puppy); and Grace Bowers.

While with Dynamo, which Felty co-founded while enrolled at Belmont in 2012, the group earned Nashville Industry Music Awards (NIMA’s) in 2015 for “Best Funk/Fusion Band” and “Album of the Year” for their 2015 LP release, Find Your Way. He also made his Grand Ole Opry debut in April, 2019, performing with Kelsey Waldon. While on tour with Waldon, he has shared the stage in direct support for Grammy Award-winning artists such as Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, and John Prine. While on tour with Devon Gilfillian, Felty performed on nationally televised shows, such as The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert, CBS Saturday, and The Kelly Clarkson Show.

When not on tour, Felty continues to make his imprint on Nashville’s local music community, performing weekly residencies with notable musicians, clinicians, and educators based in the city. He is proudly endorsed by Innovative Percussion LLC, Zildjian Cymbal Company, and Vic Firth Company.