STREET SINGING /
All of you buskers, street serenaders, and performers, keep resisting the over-reaching laws that attempt to prevent street singers, and performers from doing what they do: performing their craft in the public spaces for others to experience and take pleasure from. In the spirit of Thoreau, go out and make your life and views known, as they were meant to be, despite impediments, road blocks, bad laws, societal constraints. Just the presence of your performance, in the public marketplace, is a very necessary and laudable move. Many municipalities lump us in with solicitors, thus making it a misdemeanor to perform on public streets. Do not submit.
Influences
It's odd that after many years of writing and playing, I'm just realizing the influence gospel music has had on me, growing up in a Southern Baptist church, every Sunday...until I was old enough to make a break. The music became embedded. Another recent realization when it comes to my influences is the whimsy and comedy of writers like John Prine, Roger Miller, Chuck Berry. And the country influences of people like George Jones and Jimmy Rogers. And, my dad had this quirky, whimsical side to him. I think that, combined with other musical influences caused me to write, often, in a light-hearted humorous way. My music and playing have been influenced by every good, and great musician I have ever heard, including, local musicians like Hank & Jack, Irish & Eversole, Neil Woodward, Al Carmichael, Wooden-Leg Johnny, and so many more. The folk songs of Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, Elizabeth Cotton, Judy Collins, Nancy Griffith; along with an all time favorite, Emmy-Lou Harris. And let's not forget the newer arrivals to that genre: DeMent, Welch [David Rawlings is a killer guitar man]. I love the deep blues and jazz of Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Mississippi John Hurt & Taj Mahal are fathers of mine. And it was Joe Williams who said, "The best thing you can do if you want to sing, is go out and sing." I have never been one to sit and try and emulate an artist, though I sang along with Elvis on record when I was nine. I've let music just sink into me, and if it has a deep affect, it's bound to come out in some fashion that at least partly resembles that person's performance, in my own mind, that affected me so much. I wrote a rash of songs after seeing Steve Forbert in concert back in 1979.
Sounds Like
Nobody you've ever heard. My music has deep roots, with many branches. I have a distinct style that is all my own. Check out my influences, but listen to my music, my words, my humor, my stories, my travels.
I was born and raised in the land of swamps, oak trees and fast cars. My roots are from the land of cotton, red earth and squirrel pie. My parents are from Alabama, like many generations before them. My father's mother is from Star City, Arkansas. I was born and raised in Michigan after that war between the worlds. I'm a third generation carpenter and third generation singer. A first generation songwriter, all me.
Hi Ron, Thanks for the note. Aren't you the carpenter that fixed up that awesome old building in Pontiac and now you host shows there or something? Lucky you, you create beauty from wood with tools, your fingers, strings, and words. Way-cool. Best regards, David
