Back In The Dave

It's been since Novemebr 2021 since my last episode, much has happeded, and much is changing. I'm here to update you on the show, and more. 

Thanksgiving is that one holiday when the family is focused on family, togetherness, and love of family. But, when a family splits in two, Thanksgiving looks and feels different. I did notice those differences, but the music stood out the most.

Our generation grew up when television was just getting started, and if your family was like mine. Going to bed with the television on was a way of life. I've asked health coach Christina Wakefield to be my special guest on this episode. Christina works at Parsely Health, a membership-based, holistic health, holistic medicine healthcare provider, to which I am a member, and Christina is my health coach! This was a deep, and informative live session

Have you ever had an experience in your life when you just knew something messed up was going to happen? In 1985 I had that feeling. What I didn't know was, it was going to happen while I was building my new storefront recording and rehearsal studio! I was so pissed!

Long before I had given thought to play an instrument. Life was knocking at my door saying. "Hey, music is your path in your life, man, wake up!" I ignored it for the longest time. Flying model rockets was way more fun! Until one day, I picked up a kazoo, you remember, the little plastic wax paper instrument? I played the hell out of that instrument, which led to performing live in concert, in...the "cafeteria," LOL!

The annual "Summer Jam" celebration. Time to dance, sing, and uplift your spirit with some of the hottest jams of our generation.

Lyrics, the meaning in a song; we're so driven by the beat and groove in a song; the lyrics go over our heads. Yet, when you stop to listen to the lyrics, how many times did you say, that's my story? I feel that way, or I can relate. Music is powerful. Music with lyrics speaking to the human experience is epic! Let's listen to some deep lyrics.

Fantasy World, my latest single releases today, but how did I almost not record this song, and what "reinspired" me to record it after forty years of it sitting in my ice cooler! Come on, let's go "Back in The Dave" to 1981, when this song deeply disappointed me!  

1968 was the mark of a significant change in sound in the music industry. Sly and The Family Stone released their first single, "Dance to The music," and music would never be the same again. I was the young age of six that year, and it would be eight years before I'd make a decision to become a musician and begin to play Sly and The Family Stone songs on my bass. I wouldn't fully understand the "deep" impact of Sly and The Family Stone's influence on my bass playing, songwriting, and production until after decades are gone.

I was innocent in my teens. I didn't care who made the music. I loved it and the artists. Over time, I kept hearing the term "blue-eyed soul," I didn't know what it meant, and I didn't care! But it did begin to stir my curiosity the more I heard it. One day in 1978, at an M-U-1 band practice. I asked John, the bandleader, "what does blue-eyed soul mean?" With a chiseled look, he said, "David, it's white folks stealing our music!" I was shocked! I had no idea. A person's skin didn't matter to me.

Let's honor the life and music of the maestro, Barry White! Through his music, we'll celebrate "Black History Month" and Valentine's day. Sitting in the back seat of my mother's Chevy Nova, a song came on the radio. I thought it was Issac Hayes! I listened more, "no, it's not Issac Hayes, wait, yes it is, no, yes, no, yes,! I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. Finally, I realized it wasn't Hayes. At the end of the song the DJ said, "and that was Barry White!" "Who the heck is Barry White?" I asked myself. I had no idea. I only knew I loved his music, and I soon found out! Before Lionel Richie and the Commodores, Barry White was my man!

My dad, boy, oh boy, I could say a ton of things about him! One thing that stands out was his sick sense of humor. When he was in comedy mode, he'd do anything to get a laugh from his children. One day, he took it way, way too far! In this episode, my take on the Capitol building riot.

Every year Christmas and the holidays bring joy and sadness. It's that one time of year when the two emotions interconnect. We celebrate the holidays, the spirit of Christmas, bringing in a new year, and yet, it's a reminder of the people we've lost, the pains we have suffered, or the struggles we have. I experience these emotions, and at the same time, I think about the music that was played in my home growing up, and as I face my emotions. I allow the music that filled our home to balance me out!

Is it love that I feel? I've just got to know myself is it real? Those are the opening lyrics to Larry Graham's 1978 song, "Is it Love?" Love is the experience and desire we all want during our lifetime; love is a want and a need, wrapped up in one! And yet, there's no guarantee we will truly and fully experience love. In this episode, Brenda B. shares her "love story" during her teenage years in the early 1970s. A love so strong, life could not break its connection.

There are times in life when we find ourselves doing things we didn't think we'd ever have to do. In the spring of 1988, I was in a situation that terrified me, while two hours out at sea!

Once upon a time, there were melodies without words. Walls of sound, harmonies, and grooves, uplifting melodies, beautiful and equal to their lyrical counterparts, during the passage of the fifty moons, the wordless melodies became hidden behind a mountain of beats "rapped" in rhyming words, and over time the melodies without words became lost to its people, what the melodies without words didn't realize was, their wordless harmonies and grooves had remained in the hearts of the people, for the "beated rap's" could not survive the fifty moon passage! 

When you think of music, what comes to mind, beats, melodies, and lyrics? As a composer and musician, those are the tools I use to create music. They are the vehicles for a musical experience! To really experience music similar to a musician, you have to look into its core, its life form, its power force, its energy! Let's connect to the song!

Have you ever felt like you just wanted to go home? That life, being an adult, and everything that comes with it takes you to a point where if you could turn back the clock and go back to your childhood home, or that place in life that "feels" like home to you, would you go back? I would, and while I know there's no time machine, I have a song that takes me home, and I play it specifically for that reason, and without fail, in my mind, it drops me at the front door of my old house.

Music is the one creative energy that all humans connect with, of course, it's subjective, still, we somehow find our way to the music we love, during modern music's early days, fans would listen to music on the radio, records, and tapes, but there was one platform that went under the radar. Television! We took for granted the music embedded in tv shows, the theme songs that we walked around humming in our heads, or whistling down the street. I bet if I asked you to sing "Mr. Rogers's neighborhood," you could in a heartbeat because we had no idea the music introducing the start of our favorite television show captivated us so deeply, and often, the lyrics revealed what the show was about. Though most television show's theme music never got radio airplay, they were just as popular as radio hits, and some did make the radio, so let's go back and sing along!

Summer Jam 2020, it's time to dance, dance, dance like you did "back in the day, come on, crank up your earbuds and let your heart and soul go! The Summer Jam episodes I really enjoy doing, it's great music, talking about it and thinking about the good days when the music was hot! 

As a recording artist, I found myself between a rock and a hard place, should I address today's racial topic? How could I not, as an African American man, I simply had to, I did not want to look at it like everyone else, I noticed something different, so I decided to speak to both sides of the fence.  My point of view is passionate, blunt, and expressed using strong langue, not more normal it's how I see the topic of race in this country and the world, you might not share my views and that's ok.

Today, June 15th I lost my childhood friend, keyboard player, and best friend, Clayton Gittens. This special episode is in his memory and honor. I'm already missing you man.

In spring 1976, I set out to become a bass player and recording artist. It was a decision I made just weeks after my little brother tragically lost his life. I never once thought it would take me over four decades to achieve my goal! And while achieving it was joyous and celebratory, as it was unfolding in realtime, the reality of what I had accomplished didn't hit me until twenty-four hours later, when I emotionally broke down!

A sea of female guitar players, how do you stand out? Life challenges never stop, the joy and pain dancing in the rain, still finding a way to bring it all together in a single instance of life while expressing it through her music. Vicki Genfan, "percussive" acoustic guitar player and vocalist, Vicki takes us through her life and music, sit back, listen, and embrace one beautiful human being and outstanding recording artist.

As a bass player, the drummer is my clock. My job is to stay locked in with the clock and to put the "bottom" in the song. When I think of the many drummers I've played, with and the famous drummers I admire like Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, and many more, one of the badest drummers is RAH. We've been close friends for over twenty years! Introducing you to RAH and his music has me so "gassed up" it's crazy. He's recently released his latest album, Gods Music and you're about to experience one of the badest drummers on the planet!

Historically spring is that time of year when we get out of the house, stretch our legs, get spring cleaning done and more, back in the day record labels would release music during spring in hopes of getting a big hit by summertime, we're now in the year 2020, and we've all been on quarantine, life has changed! We need to release we have to let go of the heartbreak, fear, and anxiety that we're experiencing in the present day. We need a "spring release!" Let's find new love, rekindle current love and dance until we faint! Grab someone close to you and either fall in love or dance, Get ready!

In the late 1950s. Kenny Roger’s started a music career that would span six decades. His solo career would take him to iconic status. Songs like The Gambler, Island in the Stream, You Decorate My Life and Lady, served Kenny up like a "hot plate of cornbread and butter" to people around the world! Kenny was one of the few artists that almost every song he released became a big hit! We lost Kenny Roger’s on March 20th, 2020, let's honor him.

The Coronavirus like many germs and bacteria can't stand up to a strong immune system. And to me, keeping your gut as clean as possible is the first step, the second step is what you must do once your cleanse is complete. In session 2, I share my "next step" practices with you.  It's all about being healthy and relaxing during this global life event!

As we face this world event as a global family. I decided to create something that I hope will take your focus off of the day-to-day worries and challenges.   In addition to the regular "Back in The Dave" podcast. I'm releasing "Max and Relax Sessions" during the time we deal with the coronavirus.   Max and Relax Sessions is a place for peace of mind when you need a break!   Each session I share what I'm doing to protect myself from getting the virus. While being transparent about how I'm coping with my day-to-day and the practices that help me deal!   Max and Relax sessions inform, inspire, entertain, suggest, recommends's and provide's resources to help each of us get through another day of quarantine's, hand washing, social distancing, and our fears as we cope with this world event. 

Their arent many people who can say that they've traveled the world, walked arm-in-arm with Martin Luther King Jr., helped mankind, fought for equal rights and became a music super icon in a single life. But at the age of 93, Harry Belafonte is one of the few. As a child, Belafonte's music often played in the background, as I and my little brother run in and out of the house, slamming the screen door! Yet I didn't know much about Harry, past his music. What I discovered was more powerful then any song he could ever sing!

Sharp stabbing pains in my heart, dizziness, and sweating is how I remember feeling coming off stage after a college performance in 1984. I had no idea that playing my bass guitar and performing so hard that night would make me sick and awaken me to healing myself thirty years later. And it was all in my heart!

Humans are 99.99% all the same. Our culture is one of the things that makes us feel as if we're different. It can also throw us for a real loop! I got thrown from the mountain top one day due to cultural differences. I learned a valuable lesson, but not before I went spinning around in circles trying to figure out what to do and who's bamboozling me, ugh!

Unexpected sudden death. It feels like you've been hit and run over by a freight train. I know, I've had the experience! You're in shock, deeply hurt, confused and helpless. The sudden and unexpected death of Kobe Bryant shocked the country and the world. Navigating our thoughts feelings and emotions as we take this painful walk to say "goodbye" to Kobe, his Daughter Gianna and the seven other good people who lost their lives in the helicopter crash is not going to be easy.

At times, we take for granted the experiences in life that have profound meaning and impact on our lives. We think nothing of it. In 1979, my family had a final break down. Leaving a home that once flourished with life, in darkness. When the dust settled. My dad and I found ourselves together and alone. It became a five-year education I never expected.

Happy New Year! Today marks the beginning of a new year and a new decade! That started me think about back in the day. It's now 2020, which means 1980 was forty years ago! Let's take a ride back 40yrs when we all walked out of the 1970s and into the crazy '80s! It's hard to believe that 1980 was forty years ago, WOW!

Trip along with me when we were children, Christmas music, a warm fireplace, family, friends, loved ones and holiday movies, Christmas as we lived it. Never forget the most important gift of them all!

Starting during the holiday season of 1981 at the age of 19, until the spring of 1986. I worked part-time as a floor manager for A&S department store, Abraham and Strauss. God, such a unique time in life and for my life! During that period. I met so many great people who go on to become life-long friends. Walter Allison, my long-time friend, joins me as we talk about the "fast times at A&S department store!" The stories are endless and funny! Including why I was called down and questioned by security, scandalous!

Thanksgiving is down the block! It's the kickoff to the Christmas and holiday season. Like many, I use this time to express thanks. As usual, I take things too far, and since 2007-2008, the holiday has become my time to dig deeper into my spirt. The reason being is, after experiencing so many losses, I wanted to learn all that I could about how we transition from our physical selves, I wanted answers to my question "what happens when we die?" Ultimately, I was taken on a life-changing spiritual adventure. I got more than the answers I was looking for and I'm so "thankful."

Percussionist Antonio (Tony) Rodrequiz sits in the studio with me as we listen to and discuss Salsa music! Tony has been playing conga drums since the age of 23. A late start by musician standards, but his love for drums and music made all the difference. In a short period, Tony was traveling the world with some of the hottest artists and musicians in Salsa and Latin music. A long-time friend of my wife. I was told Tony was part of the package when I asked her to marry me. I was like, ok, "cool to me!" Together Tony and I listen to some of the most awesome Salsa music during the 20th century. Tony also shares the touching story of his dad's transition and how he, his family and friends used the music his dad loved to send him off!

Michael Rozelle tells a heartfelt story about his dad, the great Harry Rozelle. Or as his fans during the 1950s Chicago music scene nicknamed him, Mr. WestSide! The struggles between a musician father and his son and the deep love he had for his wife and children! When you hear Mr. WestSide sing and play the boogie! The hair on your arms will rise!

During June and July of 1990, my dad's heart began to fail dramatically. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the beginning of the end of my dad’s life. The events that would unfold over the next five weeks would challenge me to the core of my being. They would forever change me in ways that continue to affect my life to this very day.

When you hear the term "Soul Food," what comes to mind? African American's, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked neck bone, black-eyed peas and rice, grits, cheese, and butter? I grew up eating all of that and more! Yet as a songwriter, I know music to be soul food! This four-part episode takes you to the heart of your soul! Get ready to Lean on one another. Try a little Peace and Mercy. Dance and reach out! And if all that fails. Keep on moving!

When you hear the term "Soul Food," what comes to mind? African American's, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked neck bone, black-eyed peas and rice, grits, cheese, and butter? I grew up eating all of that and more! Yet as a songwriter, I know music to be soul food! This four-part episode takes you to the heart of your soul! Get ready to Lean on one another. Try a little Peace and Mercy. Dance and reach out! And if all that fails. Keep on moving!

When you hear the term "Soul Food," what comes to mind? African American's, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked neck bone, black-eyed peas and rice, grits, cheese, and butter? I grew up eating all of that and more! Yet as a songwriter, I know music to be soul food! This four-part episode takes you to the heart of your soul! Get ready to Lean on one another. Try a little Peace and Mercy. Dance and reach out! And if all that fails. Keep on moving!

When you hear the term "Soul Food," what comes to mind? African American's, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked neck bone, black-eyed peas and rice, grits, cheese, and butter? I grew up eating all of that and more! Yet as a songwriter, I know music to be soul food! This four-part episode takes you to the heart of your soul! Get ready to Lean on one another. Try a little Peace and Mercy. Dance and reach out! And if all that fails. Keep on moving!

I'm going to do something I've not done since I launched the show!

Summer 1975 was the summer I'll never forget. Fun was the only activity taking place. Joy, happy, exciting, girls, danger, mischief, adrenaline rush are just some of the words that describe it. It was a summer full of music, block parties, blockbuster movies and more. It was a Summer Jam!

Let's celebrate the dads! Being a dad has been a source of joy in my life. It's also been a great source of pain! My daughter Rhea has a few things to say about her dad, me! My sister Kristina and I reminisce on growing up with our giant of a dad and all he meant to us.

In the spring of 1976, my dad made me take out the garbage. I was mad because I hated putting the garbage out, but when I returned, I held in my hand a priceless diamond that changed and enriched my life forever!

On August 18th, 1962 at 3:28 PM. I had the pleasure for the first time of meeting my mother face to face. Then I met my dad. Two-hundred pounds, six feet, and change, I fell in love. He became my idol throughout my life. He died a few days before my twenty-eighth birthday. I didn't know it then, but his death would wake me up to my mother, and the realization that she had always been there. In the background. In very powerful ways!

The Village Gate night club came alive the first Monday night of each month with Salsa meets Jazz! A special event where a Salsa band would be the backdrop for a solo Jazz musician to improvise. My dad the Salsa and Jazz freak that he was would throw his girlfriend, my sister and I in the car and head down to the village in Manhattan. I did not like Salsa or Jazz at the time. But hey, it was a night out and as a young musician. I heard outstanding music and I got to see the masters perform.