Bios

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The most consistent activity in my life has been songwriting which has persisted through a variety of careers. I'm a proud African-American Democrat originally from North Carolina. Both sets of my grandparents owned large farms and sent the majority of their 19 children (collectively) to university and beyond. 

My father and grandfather were both Head Deacons in a country Baptist church. I played guitar and sang with the youth choir. My mom was a teacher and administrator and still lives in NC. After raising three boys, she deserves as much rest as possible. I have a massive number of cousins that I love like brothers and sisters. I relocated to California just after graduating North Carolina A&T State University. 

I have three awesome kids, from my first marriage, all married to wonderful people. My five grandkids, also writing partners, each receive a small guitar when they are old enough to hold it.

My wife Jami is very supportive though she has to listen to the same songs over and over again, with random cursing as the song is crafted. I'm a blessed man and finding a talented and genius writing partner and friend like Dave is very appreciated.

Since I can remember, I have always enjoyed playing on whatever instruments I could get my hands on: from piano, to clarinet, to percussion, to even building my own drum set before I could afford a real one.  

I formed my first band with my next-door neighbor, Jay, when he was 9 and I was 13, and we are still making music together to this day.  Over the years, I’ve always taken music with me. I’ve been fortunate to play in bands from Lancaster, PA (where I grew up), to Poughkeepsie, to Los Angeles, to Delft (the Netherlands), and back again.  We’ve jammed out in styles from rock, metal, Brit pop, death, progressive rock, reggae, and jazz; and I’ve had fun playing these styles on drums, bass, and piano.  I currently live in Portland, OR, with my awesome wife, Juliane, who has, like Jami, also endured listening to the same songs over and over!  

In more recent years, I’ve been focusing on improving my producing skills by investing in my home studio, taking classes online at Berklee College of Music, and pushing to work on ever more varied projects.  Lately, I’ve enjoyed scoring a few amateur video games, a podcast, and other video projects.  Right now, I’m super blessed to be working with André, who is a brilliant songwriter, musician, activist, and friend!