Bonded by lessons in the music business DegreeZero oozes experience from all fronts.  Growing up in a musician's family Derek aka, DegreeZero has learned from the best.  At the tender age of three Derek would jump on stage to sing back up for his Dad.  Filled with charisma and stage presence from his first steps onto the stage, the musical influence was something that was in the blood.  Throughout the years he continued to perform at every chance he was given.  If he wasn't performing he was in the crowd being filled with the understanding of what it meant to entertain.  Eventually, Derek graduated high school and attended College at the University of Missouri.  During his studies of Marketing at the University he yearned for more knowledge in the world of music, sound, performance and the business.  "I remember I would set in class and listen to the lecture on the given topic of the day - I would always be thinking how this applied to the music business or better, how I could apply the principles I was learning to the biz." 

Never one to set and wait for things to come to him, Derek ventured to the Recording Workshop, in Ohio, one summer to gain insight into the essential skills of Music Production and Engineering.  When he returned to finish his Bachelors Degree he picked up a job as a Live and Studio Engineer with Crazy Music in Columbia, MO.  During his time with Crazy Music and his Mentor Ken Sheppard, Derek secured the knowledge that would later become vital in his musical creations.  "I never knew where all this knowledge would lead.  I just knew that I wanted to be involved with the music business and would always soak up anything I could learn from any aspect when it came to music and creativity."  Upon completion of his studies and the continual acquisition of his instrument labyrinth, Derek began recording his own mix sets from vinyl purchased in the UK, in the genres of House, Breaks, Hardcore, Trance and Hard House.  "As I learned how to mix vinyl I would always record my sets and listen back, to learn from my mistakes."  Naturally, this led to the process of editing and sound creation that eventually captured Derek's undivided attention.  Within a few years DegreeZero was born and the machine behind what is now a Production Company, Record Label and Publishing Company was formed.  To this date, DegreeZero, has produced two original artist EP's, licensed music for television and will continue to release dance mixes of original songs throughout the coming year.  You can also expect to see many other footprints from this one man band/businessman, as he is busy partnering with the industry's key players to continue the innovation of music, passion, creativity and art that has been fostered into him from day one.