Doug Pelt is a Chicago-area native whose passion for music includes performing, writing, and teaching.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Doug is adept at playing multiple styles of music on many different instruments. His main area of expertise is guitar and vocals, with experience playing both electric and acoustic guitar in multiple groups as well as bass guitar and percussion. He has amassed a large catalog of cover songs in multiple genres including contemporary hits all the way back to classics and oldies. Doug has also written many original songs with several projects which are worked into his performances as well.

Doug Pelt – solo

In solo acoustic settings, Doug sings and accompanies himself on guitar. He also uses drum pedals on his custom-made cajon (box drum) to create drum beats that set a rhythmic and percussive backdrop to his guitar playing and singing. His catalog of hundreds of songs pleases any audience as he transitions between countless artists and songs and takes requests from the audience as well.

Finding Free

Finding Free is an acoustic duo founded in 2004 by Doug and long-time collaborator Frankie V. The two perform regularly in the Chicago suburbs playing cover songs as well as originals with tight harmonies and heavy grooves. Their acoustic sound is at home in small to medium sized venues with a lot of interaction and audience requests. Finding Free perform seamlessly across the decades and are ‘at home’ performing almost anything. As a songwriting team, the group released their first studio recording, Ready to Go, in 2014 which includes 8 original songs. 

Streamcross

In 2017, Doug worked with members of his church praise band to write and record nine original songs for the Streamcross project. Each of the songs is a contemporary rock song based on historical texts and elements that have been used in church services for hundreds of years. Doug wrote or co-wrote almost every song on the album. He produced the album and created the song arrangements and orchestrations.

Education

Doug is a classically trained musician and music teacher with music degrees from both Northern Illinois University and Vandercook College of Music. Although trombone was his primary instrument, Doug taught himself guitar in high school and learned many songs by ear. He discovered a love of acoustic music over campfire sing-alongs with family and friends and has assembled a diverse catalog of cover songs and originals over the years. His influences range from hard rock to alternative, but it’s his preference for driving tempos and heavy grooves that are most evident in his performing and songwriting.