ABOUT
Derek Wesley Arnold is an American music instructor, singer/songwriter, composer, and performer. He began learning at the piano when he was four with the help of his father, Harvey Dalton Arnold: bassist for legendary Southern Rock band The Outlaws. Derek also plays guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, clarinet, and sings. His versatility has led to multiple tours of the United States and countless hours of session work.
Derek is currently touring as the bassist/vocalist/co-writer with Jim Quick and Coastline. He has also performed with Jimmy Hall (Jeff Beck, Hank Williams, Jr., Wet Willie), John Custer (Columbia/Sony Records), Kenny Soule (Nantucket/DAG), Nick Hagelin (The Voice/Superstition TV Show, Interscope Records, Carolina Ballet), Daniel "The Reverend Slick" Ballinger (Oh Boy! Records), world-renowned blues label Music Maker Relief Foundation, and many others. Derek also served two years in AmeriCorps.
“Derek Arnold is a rare musician in that, his depth of technical musical knowledge is as vast as his amazing and wide ranging talent. . . . He is affable and professional and has a fantastic disposition. . . . A great talent.”
- John Custer • Grammy Nominated, Gold Record Producer
"He is one of the most versatile musicians I've ever encountered..."
- Kenneth Frazelle • UNCSA Composition Faculty
Derek earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition and his Master of Music Degree in Composition at the conservatory University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he studied under Dr. Lawrence Dillon and Mr. Kenneth Frazelle. Derek’s classical music has been performed by the Winston Salem Symphony, the Wachovia Winds, the UNCSA Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Cantata Singers, and many others. His music has also been recorded by the Daedalus Quartet, Yael Manor, and Lindsay Kesselman to name a few.
Derek now lives in Lexington, NC where he is happily married to Lisa Bledsoe. He is currently enjoying his career as a touring performer, singer/songwriter, and music instructor.