Derri Daugherty (born Derald Daugherty; October 13 1958) is an American record producer, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the Christian alternative rock band the Choir and as a founding member of the roots‑music supergroup Lost Dogs.
Early life and education
Derald “Derri” Daugherty was born on October 13 1958 in the United States. Details of his early education and formative musical training are not widely documented in reliable encyclopedic sources.
Musical career
The Choir
Daugherty co‑founded the Choir in the early 1980s, originally forming in Southern California before relocating to Nashville, Tennessee. As the band’s primary vocalist and guitarist, he contributed to the group’s distinctive atmospheric sound, which blended indie rock textures with lyrical spirituality. The Choir released a series of critically noted albums, including Circle Slide (1990) and Speckled Bird (1994), earning several GMA Dove Awards.
Lost Dogs
In 1991, Daugherty joined Lost Dogs, a collaborative project featuring members of other prominent Christian‑rock acts (including Michael Roe of the 77 and Terry Scott Taylor of Daniel Amos). The group recorded a blend of country‑rock and folk‑influenced material, releasing albums such as Scenic Routes (1992) and MUTT (2004).
Production and engineering work
Beyond his performance roles, Daugherty has an extensive career as a recording engineer and producer. He has worked with artists and bands across the Christian alternative scene, including Daniel Amos, The 29th St. Sons, and The Starlight Band. His production style is noted for emphasizing ambient guitar textures and layered vocal harmonies.
Other activities
Daugherty maintains an active touring schedule, both with the Choir and as a solo performer. He also contributes to charitable initiatives, such as fundraising campaigns for medical expenses related to his personal health challenges.
Personal life
Publicly available biographical material provides limited information about Daugherty’s personal life. He is known to reside in the Nashville area and continues to engage in music production and performance.
References
- Wikipedia contributors. “Derri Daugherty.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 2026‑04‑23.
- DBpedia. “Derri Daugherty.” DBpedia. Accessed 2026‑04‑23.
- The Choir official website. “About.” Accessed 2026‑04‑23.
- IMDb. “Derri Daugherty – Biography.” Accessed 2026‑04‑23.