Gardner-Webb Alumnus Phillip Snider Performs on A&E's "Duck Dynasty"

A chance meeting with a fellow musician recently led to a career opportunity for Phillip Snider, a 2012 graduate of Gardner-Webb University. He was asked to play the drums on the popular A&E reality show, "Duck Dynasty," in Monroe, La. The show stars the Robertson family, who have made millions selling duck calls and decoys. Snider was in the ninth episode, which originally aired Feb. 17, 2016, and can be seen in reruns.

"It took a lot of work to be invited to do this gig, and I am excited to see what the future holds," shared Snider, who is also a drummer at Passion City Church in Atlanta, Ga. Louie and Shelley Giglio lead Passion City and the Passion conferences, which are geared toward college students.

Playing worship music paved the way for Snider's appearance on "Duck Dynasty." After graduating from Gardner-Webb with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music with elective studies in music business, Snider moved to Atlanta to work as a contract musician. While performing in the area, he met and became friends with a musician who used to tour with Christian rock band Third Day.

"After playing one church service with him, he texted me a week later and asked if I wanted to play some country shows with Mac Powell (Third Day's lead singer). This was a no brainer," Snider related. "We played shows in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. A month later, I was asked to go back to Monroe to play a show for Reed Robertson (Jase Robertson's son) and the 'Duck Dynasty' crew. We played a couple of Reed's original songs and then played a few of Mac Powell's country songs before playing 'Amazing Grace' all together. Afterward we went back to Jase's house to film the family table scene that you see at the end of every episode."

Snider's ability to play various styles of music with a variety of musicians was developed at Gardner-Webb through opportunities to play with the orchestra, percussion ensemble, marching band and jazz ensemble. "Not only was I learning about different styles, but I was able to apply them," he explained. "Playing with people of all ages, levels and instruments proved to be something I and every musician needs to experience."

He also had plenty of opportunities during his college years to play worship music. Every Friday night he rehearsed with a local worship band made up of all Gardner-Webb music students. "It was great to serve not only the community but the Kingdom," Snider observed. "Not long after that, I was playing at different churches for youth and adult services in the Shelby, N.C., area. Gospel music is where my heart is."