i have had the awesome experience of getting to know both derek and his wife holly through their involvement with campus ministry. what genuine, sincere, wonderful people! the shackletts are as earnest as they sound. A+++

Vagabond Dancing is a great album. It'll only be a matter of time until Derek can't be listed on the independentbands.com site because he'll be picked up by a label - soon. The sound on this disc rivals many professional cds being put out by the major labels. What I like best about this cd is the man behind the music. Spend the $14 and get to know the man's work. Go to a concert and get to know the man's performance. Get to know the man. You won't be disappointed.

I was introduced to Derek Shacklett quite by accident when I saw him playing with Rustin Smith (former lead guitarist of Satellite Soul) a few weeks ago. Some of Derek's songs just wouldn't get out of my head over the next week and eventually I went back to B&N and bought his CD.(this was before I realized that independentband.com even carried it...) I can't believe nobody has heard of this guy before! The whole CD is just awesome. Many times I'll buy a new CD and by about the 5th or 6th song, I'll be ready to listen to something else, but Vagabond Dancing kept my attention through out the whole CD. The production is OUTSTANDING, (especially for an indie project) and the music is interesting and hooky. But the real appeal of this CD is the lyrics. This guy says things that we already know, but in ways that I've never heard before. From talking about dealing with jealous feelings to struggling with a friend dying to just praising God. Anyway, I don't know how to say it any stronger. This guy needs to be heard. I don't know him or hardly anything about him, but his songs speak to me like few others have. Check out his web-site. Give him a listen. You'll be sorry you didn't listen sooner! -Cam

I have known Derek Shacklett for many years. I have performed in and around the same circles of clubs, coffee houses, and churches as he and have enjoyed both a professional affiliation as well as a personal friendship with him. In the new music industry, where an artist can be whoever he chooses to portray himself to be in his forged third-person biography, Derek is as "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" as any artist I know. No ostentation. He is an artist you need to know. "Vagabond Dancing" is a great independent record. In the new music industry, where the typical artist is content to emulate his favorite existing artist, Derek dares to stand on his own proverbial music-legs and say something that is simply his own. I have not heard a more refreshingly original sounding record in a good while. This is a record you need to know.

I have heard Derek perform live at a number of his concerts, and I find his music to be alternately serious, thought-provoking and fun. He is often lyrically challenging and direct. This is an artist who deserves to be heard!