#teamderringer

About Us

Podcasting from Virginia (USA), and catering to music enthusiasts worldwide, Derringer Discoveries combines exciting snippets and fast-paced insight, critique, theories, and witty banter about music that you may discover and love. This is Derringer Discoveries.

We Are Team Derringer

PAUL DERRINGER

Paul spent seven years behind the mic as a radio DJ throughout high school and college. It was a formative stretch that taught him exactly what it means to be underpaid and under-appreciated in the music business. Since then, he has doubled down on that experience as a part-time singer, songwriter, and musician. He currently anchors the bands LY@TT and Ho Jo Fro. 

Because he has been on both sides of the glass, Paul is driven by a desire to celebrate the creators. He is less interested in the charts and more fascinated by the stories behind the songs and the folklore of the recording studio. Derringer Discoveries is his vehicle for this mission. He aims to be informative and insightful while connecting one-on-one with music lovers who still value the craft.

Behind the scenes, Paul is the primary architect of the expansive playlists for Derringer Discoveries. He also serves as the lead on artist relationship management. Paul handles the professional side of the house with ease and ensures every episode celebrates the very best the music world has to offer.

ALTON DERRINGER

Alton is Paul’s long-time bandmate, bass guitarist, and brother from another mother. (For the record, they have different fathers, too.)  Alton, Paul, and Laura have been a trio since the fourth grade. They have spent decades sharing a robust and borderline obsessive interest in every corner of the musical landscape.

While Alton has a deep appreciation for all genres, he is consistently attracted to the heavy, swirling atmosphere of late 60s and early 70s psychedelic rock. He prefers music with a heavy gravitational pull and a touch of melancholy -- from the ethereal textures of Pink Floyd to the visceral, midnight energy of The Doors. This fascination with complex sonic architecture naturally extends to the high-concept prog rock of Rush and the chameleonic, avant-garde brilliance of David Bowie. Whether he is dissecting the folk-rock harmonies of Buffalo Springfield and CSNY or tracing the intricate, twin-guitar tapestries of The Allman Brothers Band, Alton is drawn to music that carries significant weight.

Beyond the fretboard, Alton is a self-proclaimed tech-nerd who lives for the intersection of silicon and sound. He is fascinated by how technology can elevate a melody, which makes him the logical choice to serve as the team's digital engine room. As the architect of the Derringer Discoveries website, Alton manages the code while simultaneously running the social media feeds for the show. He is the rare talent who can pivot from a heavy bass groove to a complex code update without dropping a bit -- or a beat. (However, he will occassionally drop the bass -- and then claim that it just slipped out of his hands.) 

LAURA DERRINGER

Laura’s history with the Derringer crew dates back to the legendary days of kindergarten. Unlike her bandmate counterparts, Laura does not carry an instrument case or claim to have a singing voice. Instead, she provides the most critical component of the show: the perspective of a professional fan.

Laura’s musical taste is a masterclass in contrast. She is just as likely to be found front-row at a neon-soaked Blondie set as she is dissecting the dusty, poetic grit of John Hiatt or Alejandro Escobedo. She is a seeker of musical folklore and a scholar of the "lightning strike" lyric. For Laura, a great line does not necessarily have to make sense to be true; it just has to hit home.

While she serves as an editor for the Derringer Discoveries Facebook account, her real contribution to the team is keeping everyone plugged into the live circuit. Laura is officially the biggest offender when it comes to burning up the show's entertainment budget, but she considers it a necessary sacrifice. She ensures the team stays connected to the concert world, even if it means she has to personally vet every front-row seat available.

ROB "THE NEW GUY" DERRINGER

The first record Rob Derringer ever owned was George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord.” Rob was four years old at the time. George, notably, was somewhat older. Since Rob could not quite master the turntable mechanics without his big brother’s supervision, he spent his formative years leaning into a near-obsessive relationship with sound.

That obsession has since spiraled into a cross-genre odyssey. From the stadium anthems of The Who and Rush to the jangle of 80s college radio and the heartland grit of Tom Petty, Rob has not just listened to music. He has memorized it. If there is a "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" for bass players and B-sides, Rob is your guy.

While Rob keeps a guitar and a bass in his office, his playing is best described as "evacuative." His two loyal dogs, who usually follow him everywhere, have learned that the first chord is their cue to find a very quiet spot in a different zip code.

Rob has always been chased by the "lightning bolt" moment. This is that specific chord progression or lyric that hits you right in the chest and transcends words. Frustrated by the lack of airwaves dedicated to modern Adult Alternative gems like Noah Kahan or The Head and the Heart, Rob went searching for a tribe that still cared about the craft.

That's when he found Derringer Discoveries. What started as a listener’s crush turned into a guest spot, a friendship, and finally, a permanent seat at the table.

Formerly with Team Derringer

DAVE DERRINGER

Unlike Paul, Dave was the "pro" of the family, spending years as a full-time disc jockey and music director before eventually trading the airwaves for a career that could actually support a growing family. Though he has retired from Derringer Discoveries, his voice hasn't gone silent; you can still find him behind the mic announcing live local sporting events.

As the actual older brother, Dave maintains that he is entitled to a level of respect and reverence that Paul rarely grants him. While he no longer records with the team, Dave remains the show’s most esteemed alumnus and its most frequent critic. He represents the family’s deep broadcasting roots and serves as a permanent reminder of where the Derringer story began.