“No one person or material thing could ever come close to the feeling I get when the music is right.”

This particular quote by Barry Manilow is quite possibly the most accurate depiction of what it feels like for Chicagoland-based drummer Ty Del Rose to play, write, or even just listen to music. And when you get Del Rose behind a set of drums, that's a feeling that he strives to create not just for himself, but for his bandmates, and of course, those in the audience, both on the record and on the stage!


Ty Del Rose was born on September 23, 1991 in Joliet, Illinois – where he was raised and continues to reside. 

Del Rose began touring with Smile Empty Soul in August of 2018. Smile Empty Soul is perhaps best known for the singles “Bottom Of A Bottle”, “Silhouettes”, and “Nowhere Kids”, originally released on their gold-certified, self-titled 2003 debut LP and re-released on the 2016 EP Shapeshifter. The band is currently on tour in support of their ninth studio release, Sheep. The six-song EP was released December 6, 2019 and marks Del Rose's first recording credit with the band.

Del Rose also enjoys taking on work subbing in with various cover bands in the Chicago area while not on tour. In 2016, Del Rose began working with the Chicagoland-based company Xtreme Cover Bands, performing with the company's bands The Breakfast Club, The Shagadelics, Nerdvana, and many others, as well as offering live band karaoke. In October 2017, Del Rose appeared with The Breakfast Club in two gigs overseas performing on United Nations Air Force bases for troops in Jordan and Qatar. On January 9, 2020, Del Rose appeared with The Breakfast Club at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, playing in front of over 20,000 at the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators game during the second intermission. Between touring and local gigging, Del Rose averages roughly 150-200 gigs per year.

When not gigging, Del Rose is passionate about songwriting and production/engineering, often working with other local bands in his home studio setup. Del Rose's production credits include a full-length and EP for Chicago band Bullet To The Heart, of which a few tracks have received airplay on Crest Hill, Illinois' Q Rock 100.7FM, a major Active Rock radio station.

Del Rose was featured on Modern Drummer's “On The Beat” online blog in August 2016. He was also voted one of the top 10 “Drummers of the Year” on Rock Rage Radio's 2017 awards. 

Though best known as a rock/alternative drummer, Del Rose loves and has experience playing pop, indie, blues, R&B/soul, jazz, country, disco and oldies/classic pop and rock. This love and appreciation for a wide variety of genres of music gives Del Rose a vast array of influences to incorporate into any playing situation, while creating a feel and groove that's just right for the music being performed! 

Del Rose's biggest influences include Neil Peart (Rush) for his technique and creative approach to composition, John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) for his power, groove and finesse, Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) for his effortless ability to play odd time signatures fluidly, Dave Abbruzzese (ex-Pearl Jam) for his extremely hard-hitting style and energetic sound, and Tony Royster Jr. (Jay-Z) for his impeccable chops and exciting drum solos and arrangements. Del Rose strives to take influence and learn from every drummer he sees, all the while remembering that his job on stage is to entertain! 

Del Rose plans to stay just as busy in the coming years, and doesn't have any plans to slow down any time soon! He looks forward to continuing to tour with Smile Empty Soul and take on session/fill-in work in between tours. With a valid passport handy, and a penchant for touring and performing music no matter who's listening, Del Rose looks forward to continuing to push forward with his music career, for decades to come!

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