About Us

Djembe Drums & Skins provides high quality rope tuned drums, drum tuning supplies and drum accessories at reasonable costs to those who love drumming.  DD&S started as a hobby in the 1980s and became a business in 1996. It was owned and operated by Shorty and Sandy Palmer until 1 January 2021, When the 3 long time employees, Brigid, DeerHawke, and Chris took control of the helm when Shorty and Sandy finally got the chance to enjoy retirement. DD&S is located in Sevierville, Tennessee in the Smoky Mountains.

Since taking the helm we’ve decided to find ways to give back and find ways to support the culture that has given us jobs for over a decade now. We strive to supply drums to schools and non-profits involved in teaching West African Traditions. We also strive to use our social media presence to promote any event/class/camps from those who ask us to and supply a flyer for us to post and share.

Most of our business is done by phone and internet. You are also invited to stop by (appointment only) and choose your own drum. Most of our drums come from West Africa ,Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Specializing in  Djembes, we also carry an assortment of African rope tuned drums including Djun Djuns, and Bougarabous.  These drums have goat skin or cowhide heads and are tuned by ropes attached to rings. We sell complete drums carved and built in West Africa, shells, and drum kits.  We also build custom drums that have been carved in Africa and then built by our crew.

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