Paul Deatherage is an active performer and educator in the central Kentucky area. A versatile percussionist, he is experienced in many areas of percussion, including jazz, concert, marching and world percussion.

Paul attended Tennessee Technological University where he studied with Joseph Rasmussen and completed his Bachelors Degree in Music Education in December, 2005. While living in Cookeville, TN he also studied with Eric Willie and Bill Bachman. He taught high school and middle school percussion sections, played regularly in jazz groups, concert bands and theater orchestra pits. Paul moved to Lexington in 2007 to study with James B. Campbell and John Willmarth, while pursuing his Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Kentucky. He completed his M.M. in May, 2009.

Paul leads a varied teaching career, working with students at middle school, high school and college levels. Paul currently teaches drumset at the University of Kentucky. He is also on percussion staff at Lafayette High School, a 16 time marching band state champion, and a Bands of America Grand National finalist. In addition, he maintains a private teaching studio at the Music Institute of Lexington.  

Paul has a very active career as a freelance percussionist. He currently holds the drumset chair for the DiMartino / Osland Jazz Orchestra, the Osland / Dailey Jazztet, the Raleigh Dailey Trio, the Dave Hummel Big Band and the jazz power trio, Barry Mando Project.

Paul has performed in a variety of musical situations including large and small jazz ensembles, percussion ensembles, marching bands, orchestras, and the UK steel band. He has performed with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, with Rakadu (Middle Eastern belly dance ensemble), with Abusua (West African Dance Ensemble) and with the Sound/Vision ensemble, performing contemporary classical compositions. He has performed at Carnegie Hall in N.Y.C. three times, twice with the Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble (2003, 2007) and once with the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (2007). He has performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention with the University of Kentucky Percussion Ensemble. He has performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago with Bob Mintzer and the UK Jazz ensemble, with which he later recorded the album, GO! (8651-MCD). He has also shared the stage with Arlo Guthrie, Roberto Sion, Zach Brock, Ellen Rowe, Vince Dimartino and Emmanuel Agbeli.