It's mostly just me - singing and a strumming, winding together songs and stories from my life, my imagination.
I do occasionally do a gig here in town with some of the great musicians in Nashville as "David Llewellyn and the Groove Band".
Influences
I'm undoubtedly of the Beatles generation, but throw in the early '70s American singer/songwriters e.g. James Taylor, John Denver, Don McClain, Joni Mitchell, and add 15 years of rubbing shoulders with the exceptional writers and performers in Austin TX and Nashville TN, and you get a fair idea of what turns me on. . . . . . .
Currently in my ipod ??? Hang on, let me see . . . . Patty Griffin, Kate Rusby, Eliza Gilkyson, Alison Krauss, Anais Mitchell, Dana Cooper, Don Henry . . . hang on . . . just check out my "top 40". Oh, and the Beatles "Love" album blows me away . . . . . of course.
Sounds Like
"effectively straddles the line between country and folk"
"With an expressive baritone voice he could sing your grocery list"
Jamie Anderson - Sing Out!
"an unashamedly good acoustic, rootsy play"
"David’s voice belies his years and with an impressive vocal range his talent allows him to glide through songs with impressive ease . . . (his) songwriting shows maturity and scope . . . a man with definite talent."
ER - Maverick , UK
"Quite beautifully done"
"Of course, you can take the boy out of the valley . . . but you can't take the valley out of the boy"
Frank Hennessy - BBC Radio Wales
_________________________
"LOVE IS" A song dealing with a mother and child's emotions while "Dad" is away fighting in the Iraq conflict. Vocals by Teri Whealon and David. Please take a listen.
_________________________
CD's and single song downloads are available from:
David also personally hosts cultural/historical/musical tours of Wales and Ireland. If you're interested in experiencing either of these countries on a magical 10-day trip, please contact: David.
Also - Winner 2007 - "New Folk" competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Winner 2008 - W. C. Handy Music Festival, Muscle Shoals. Finalist 2008 - U.K. Songwriting Competition - Folk/Country category. Honor Award 2009 - Great American Song Contest - Contemporary Acoustic/Folk category.
David tours throughout the US, and "across the pond" in the UK, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark etc. He also teaches at songwriting retreats and seminars. Although concentrating on his own songwriting and career as a Welsh singer/songwriter, he also writes and co-writes in a number of genres.
From the beginning . . . Coal dust and the small coal mining valleys of South Wales supplied a down to earth upbringing whose values and early lessons he still holds dear. But at seventeen, with a jacket and guitar in hand he left home to begin what has been a lifelong passion. The workingman’s clubs of South Wales, the same anvil that forged Tom Jones,
became the proving ground, the trial by fire, and a successful 10 year career followed for David as a singer.
By the late 80’s, the UK had become all about computers, drum machines and samplers, but a chance listening to a Randy Travis CD, full of acoustic instruments and a more organic heart felt approach to music, sparked an interest in the American music scene.
Arriving in ‘91, David dived into a career as a singer/songwriter and a move to Nashville to sign with a Music Row publisher followed in ‘96. “But at some point I realized that I had not returned to Wales in 10 years, and as soon as I took my first breath of the valley’s air, I knew that although the wonderful songwriting cities of Austin and Nashville may have honed my skills, and taught me the “craft”, it was Wales, its Celtic traditions and working class communities, that I had to draw from for my inspiration. It has increasingly drawn me back to my roots. I was part of the first generation not to go down the mines, and I’ve always felt thankful for that.”
The inclusion of one of David’s original songs about a young child’s first day working “underground”, and his father’s heart breaking thoughts, touched a general nerve at the “New Folk” competition at the '07 Kerrville Folk Festival, and gained David a winning spot that year. The Texas festival has become a regular place of pilgrimage for David. Appearing on the main stage with Cindy Greene in ‘02, “New Folk” finalist in ‘03 and ‘04, a featured performer in ‘05, a “New Folk” winner in ‘07, and now a Main Stage performer, his songs and rich baritone can be heard long into the predawn hours around many a campfire.
His first US released CD “David Llewellyn” (2004) quickly gained top 10 radio plays on the FolkDJ charts and has proved a fast seller at gigs and house concerts around this country and back home with tours in Wales, Ireland and the UK.
In December 2007, David released "Limited Edition," a CD of live guitar/vocals made up of songs about his upbringing in the culture of Wales. Additional touches were added by the talented Celtic multi-instrumentalist/producer, John Mock. A limited pressing of 250 of these were manufactured, which have quickly sold out. David is currently in the studio recording additional tracks before this CD will go into full production; a national release date of mid-summer and a full radio promotion/tour will follow.
“If I could sprinkle some coal dust into your ipod without screwing it up, I would.”
Looks like I'm establishing a monthly routine here ;-) Hello again -- and happy anniversary LOL -- see you same time next month. BTW - still hoping we can catch up over a cup of coffee or a warm beer -- hugs again (( ))
So how are you? I hope you've rec'd my emails -- Let's grab a cup o coffee & catch up ---- Really sorry about your hand! What words? There are no words. Big HUG !
Just heard about your accident! Wow! We are so sorry but love your positive attitude! Our thoughts and prayers are with you for a quick recovery! Take care!
Love the new pic!!! You look like such the young man - and Happy! See along the trails -- let's do coffee again soon -- or at Indie Grrl ! All the Gigi news - well, most of it! LOL
Four more little sonic gems for your August pleasure are now available on the site. Blitzen Trapper, Boulder Acoustic Society, Jay Brannan and The Wiyos. Yet another fine quartet even though we say so ourselves as picked them out.
Hey David, Guess what? I'm goin' to Kerrville. Got my tix yesterday. I'm gonna be a guest to one of my friends who's a New Folk Finalist (Larry Murante)! Got any tips for a newbie? See ya there! Robyn
So...I've been debating the whole "should I, can I, will I?" question of "Drive The Bus Festival '09 " - and the muse are calling loudly that I "should". So I might/shall :-) - close to Nashville this year - suburb or such. Weekend of Sept 19, 2009 ---you're the second to know. I promise a bigger audience for you this year -- and no rain in Chicago just before ... - This is my birthday present to me -- OMG - what am I crazy? LOL ! Here comes the bus!
