Trucks were born in Jacksonville, Florida. According to Trucks, the name of Eric Clapton’s band, Derek and the Dominos had “something to do with the name [Derek] if not the spelling”.

Trucks bought his first guitar at a yard sale for $5 at age nine and became a child prodigy, playing his first paid performance at age 11. Trucks began playing the guitar using a slide because it allowed him to play the guitar despite his small hands as a young guitarist. By his 13th birthday, Trucks had played alongside Buddy Guy and toured with Thunderhawk.

“Being tied to the Allman Brothers’ name and legacy when I was a kid certainly helped get gigs,” Derek Trucks said.

Trucks formed The Derek Trucks Band in 1994, and by his 20th birthday, he had played with such artists as Bob Dylan, Joe Walsh, and Stephen Stills. After performing with The Allman Brothers Band for several years as a guest musician, Trucks became a formal member of the band in 1999 and appeared on the albums Peakin’ at the Beacon, Live at the Beacon Theatre, Hittin’ the Note and One Way Out.

In 2006 Trucks began a studio collaboration with JJ Cale and Eric Clapton called The Road to Escondido and performed with three bands in 17 different countries that year. Trucks were invited to perform at the 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival, and after the festival, he toured as part of Clapton’s band.