Drumming News :
Fork’s Drum Closet, a pillar of Nashville’s music community since 1982, has officially returned to local ownership. Daniel Douchette—longtime staff member, friend, and fixture of the shop—has acquired Steve Maxwell’s interest in the business, effective immediately.
For Maxwell, the transition represents the fulfillment of a promise. “One of our goals when we acquired Fork’s was for it to one day return to local ownership,” he shared. “Daniel has been with Fork’s for most of his adult life, devoting himself to the business during the time of ownership by the Forkum family, and also with us since we purchased it in 2018. Daniel is ideally suited to taking Fork’s forward and continuing to serve the wonderful Nashville community. Daniel is the future of Fork’s, and that future is in very good hands. Congratulations Daniel!”
Inside the shop, the news has been met with enthusiasm and heartfelt pride. Known affectionately as “the captain” and “the bat-manager,” Douchette has spent more than two decades shaping the culture and personality of Fork’s Drum Closet. Staff described him as a true gentleman, colleague, and friend who knows the operation better than anyone. “If you see him, tell him you love him,” the team wrote. “We sure as hell do.”
A Brief History of a Nashville Institution
1982–1991
Fork’s Drum Closet was founded by Gary Forkum in 1982. What began as a literal closet full of drums in the back of Corner Music—then located at Bransford Avenue and East Iris Drive in Berry Hill—quickly became a gathering place for drummers across the region. With just one employee, Gary himself, the shop offered a modest selection of cymbals, drum kits, and snares, but an unmistakable sense of community.
1991–2018
When Corner Music moved to 12th Avenue South, Forkum purchased the building next door. Over the next several decades, Fork’s grew into a beloved destination where players from every background found expertise, camaraderie, and a place that felt like home.
2018–2025
Upon Gary Forkum’s retirement in 2018, the shop was acquired by Steve Maxwell. Under Maxwell’s stewardship, Fork’s relocated to its current space at 308 Chestnut Street, just south of downtown Nashville, where it continued to thrive as a global destination for drummers.
Now, with Daniel Douchette leading the way, Fork’s Drum Closet enters a new chapter—one rooted in tradition, community, and a deep love for the craft. As the shop returns to local ownership, many see this moment as both a homecoming and a promise for the future.
