DeAndre Hemby’s journey from Auburn High School to drumming for Teddy Swims

Hemby grew up in family where music was always present. Despite his love for basketball, he was drawn to rhythm as a child, choosing music over sports. Both activities fueled his energy, but in the end, his heart belonged to the drums.

After graduating from Auburn High School in 2013, Hemby made a bold move. He left Rockford to chase his musical dreams in Atlanta while attending Gwinnett Tech College.

In May 2022, his life changed when he connected with the rising star Teddy Swims and became the drummer for his band.

Swims — whose music blends R&B, soul, country, and pop — has been rising on multiple music charts, including hitting No. 1 earlier this year on the Billboard Hot 100 for his song “Lose Control.”

Hemby’s first tour with the band was nothing short of spectacular as he found himself playing across Europe — a dream that once felt far from his Rockford roots. For Hemby, whose friends call him Dre, this wasn’t just a career move, it was the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice.

One of his favorite songs to play with Teddy Swims is “Bed on Fire.” He lights up as he talks about how fun and dynamic the setlist is, noting that Swims loves to switch things up every night.

“Every song is fun to play,” he said, “but ‘Bed on Fire’ and ‘For the Rest of Your Life’ are special to me. Teddy keeps things fresh, so every night feels like a new experience.”

The friendship among Hemby, Swims and the band is more than just professional — it’s personal. Every night before a show, they have a ritual: a pinky promise handshake.

“We pinky promise that no matter what’s going on during the day, when we hit that stage, we leave everything out there,” Hemby said.

This bond isn’t just for show.

“We don’t just say we’re a family — you can visibly see it,” he said. “These are my brothers up there, and that energy is what makes our performance so transparent.”

Hemby’s advice to aspiring musicians is simple yet profound: “Follow your passion, not the money. When you chase your inner drive, the money will follow.”

Hemby went on to say that coming from Rockford, a small city, there’s always fear in making a leap to bigger places like Atlanta or Los Angeles.

“If you follow your dreams for the right reasons, everything will align,” he said.

Now, he is preparing for a milestone performance in his hometown at the Hard Rock Casino Rockford.

This moment is huge for him — a chance to come full circle and show his city how far he’s come.

Hemby’s journey from Rockford to the world stage is a testament to following your passion and trusting the process, he said.

As he gets ready to perform at Hard Rock Casino, one thing is certain: this hometown hero’s story is just getting started.

This article is by Chelsea Meyer of B103 Rockford. You can reach her at chelsea@b103fm.com.