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All songs, lyrics, voices, and instruments were composed and performed by the artist. He is also a professional designer, copywriter, marketer, business developer, artist manager, publicist, and player/sponsor of DCMSBL Vandals baseball franchise. View his entire career profile at www.linkedin.com/in/ericstownsend or subscribe to his blog at www.ericstownsend.com.
Eric Townsend (aka 9Davine) is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer in the mold of Prince or Lenny Kravitz. Known first for his musical versatility and lyricism, his repertoire includes over 100 original songs that span seven CDs. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond (major in Fine Art, minor in Art History) and has consistently championed HIV/AIDS prevention through musical events and business donations.
Eric first made a splash in his hometown of Fair Lawn, NJ. In 1990, as a junior in high school, he debuted as lead vocalist for a charity rock group called The Boptones. The day before the 1991 concert, Townsend received an exception from the principal's office that asked his teachers to "help save his voice" for the show. In 1992, as a sophomore in college, he opened for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at the closing of a popular area nightclub. He also performed concerts as final “papers” for two different college courses, including a set in a snowstorm.
From 1993 to 1997, Townsend built a reputation as busy musician and poet. Gigs included djembe player for an African dance troupe (Ngoma), vocalist for a heavy metal group (Leviathan), vocalist for a grunge group (Typhoid Mary), member of the university’s gospel choir, founder of 9Davine (then a quintet), guitarist in an acoustic duo (Wooden Release), drummer for a folk rock trio (Plato), and short story/poetry writer for the university's literary magazine, The Messenger.
A matter of days after September 11, 2001, Eric sang America, The Beautiful to commence a national convention for the American Institute of Architects at the Women’s Memorial at Arlington Cemetery. In 2002, he reprised the performance for the 9/11 remembrance at DC’s Ballou Senior High School led by then-client and District of Columbia mayor, Anthony Williams, and U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton.
In 2004, Townsend released eLOVE, an enigmatic collection of love songs to which Grammy-nominated recording artist Van Hunt commented “ as far as I’m concerned, any CD with a woman blind-folded on the cover is worth listening to…for real.” In 2007, Eric was finalist in the District's Capital Star talent contest.
2007 marked 9Davine’s 15th year in music. He celebrated by expanding his horizons to country music demos for Jeff Severson Productions in Arlington, completing construction on his first professional recording studio (at his home in Fairfax VA), touring with a showcase of independent recording artists called H3Festival, and progressing a 28-song double CD.
In 2008, Townsend took a break from his music to fill the role of executive producer on Buster Brown's debut, 1.22 Jiggywatts! The live record combines raw energy with polished delivery. Buster is electric for his ability to combine his first passion, tapdancing, with his current gifts for songwriting and live performance.
Finally, some of you may know Townsend through his two marketing outfits. SplashKit is a unique, one-stop resource for recording clients. Produce, package and promote your talents like a pro! SplashKit celebrated its third anniversary in November 2008 and serves clients on five continents. Brand Nuovo is a multi-point brand development service for corporate and non-profit entities looking to establish, re-build or refresh their image and expand their service/product offering.
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