MARCH - APRIL 2005
Road notes below - scroll down for previous post.
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04/21/05 -  PIVOT POINT - Home

Hello friends, been quite busy lately, more than you'll ever know. I've been focused not only on my career and my next move, but mainly focused on my family life. Being a humble individual and my own worst critic, I questioned my touring future as my family holds all weight on my soul. Each day goes by I grew more and more comfortable with my decision in leaving the Van-Dells knowing that there was something bigger, better waiting out there. I was also growing uncomfortable waiting but also enjoying my time with my family. March went by as the first month in almost 10 years that I had not worked, I hated it just as much as I loved having the time off, but it's the only thing I know. Slowly but surely calls started coming, locally and nationally for fill in gigs, studio sessions as well as tours. The more that came in, the more confused I became. I've abided my time the last few months giving lessons and working side fill in gigs. It's starting
pick up to where I have hardly any down time between shows, booking information and tying up the business things of the music business off stage so things can properly work on stage. Most people don't consider it a real job or work, to those I can only say, "You have no clue". I love what I do and it comes easily, but
in order to do what we love, we work to get there. I've had numerous referrals in the last few weeks which boosts my confidence and gets the ball rolling again. Yes I know it's only been a month, but hey, to me that might as well be a year or two. Working one night with one group and one the next in a different town wears one out but the gratification over flows. A few shows throughout April have been booked with a wonderful rock group called (513) aptly named after the Cincinnati area code. Be sure to check out my April tour dates to catch me with them. I'll also be working with a group called American Standard also, see Schedule for details on each date.  After one show last week I had an immediate booking in Evansville, IN with some old friends in a group called Jimmi Powers & Company. I always love working with Jimmi and Kevin, they're both such great musicians and tremendous vocalist. Playing with them comes at such ease, we'll go two years without playing a show together and we'll do a show as if we work together every night. They're just that good...and the feeling I get from that is just amazing. We don't even discuss set list or anything, just three pros onstage doing what they do, working together to make it all groove. A few Van-Dells fans showed up, thank you, you guys rock. I personally delivered some of the auction items from the recent auction. It was a pleasure to meet with fans. It always lights a fire under my ass to keep the spark alive in my heart. After the show, I was a whooped pup and it was good excuse to drive over the bridge to my hometown of Owensboro, Ky to see my parents and old friends. I passed by my old house gig, "Charlie's Yellow Rose" just as they were closing. I dropped in and seen a bunch of old friends and players. It just so happens "Tramp" (ex-Bone Pony) is playing there in the house band now. We talked about the irony of him working in a band that I once was in.  I then made the late night trek over to my ex room mate/best friend/ex Kickback Jack band members house, "Mike Hicks". We sat up for a few hours talking over the latest with each other and laughing about old times. The next day I spent with my parents before making my way back to my family in Ohio. It was a much needed over do, though brief visit. I will finish April with fill in dates with (513) as well as a date with American Standard. Although it's too early etch the details, I will be announcing plans on future tour plans soon, keep posted...dp
 

1.  2.  3.  4.  5.

Click on each photo for a larger image.

1. Hailey Parks (a.k.a. the cutest girl ever) 2. Jimmi Powers and David backstage after the show. 3. Mike Hicks and David  4. David and his Dad by David's new truck. 5. David and his Mom by his new truck.

 -  JUST MY OPINION (in response to the events from last month) -
 

WHO HAS THE RIGHT?
Written by: Sammy Hagar, Jesse Harms & Craig Chaquico
From the Sammy Hagar - MARCHING TO MARS LP - 1997
 
Here's a message from the heart, are you listening?
Some things belong to you and no one else
One more life is taken, and that's one more than God allows
And there's another on the row shouting out
Who has the right?
Who has the right?

 And there's a war out in the streets that no one is winning
Tell me when did a human life become so cheap
How can we take away what we did not create
Beyond the power of the conscience
Beyond the power of the state
Tell me who, who has the right?
No one has the right

 Everyone's a victim and everyone's to blame
We are all so different, yet the same
Everyone's the master of, their own destiny
As long as one of us is chained, none of us are free

 How can we take away what we did not create?
Beyond the power of the conscience
Beyond the power of the state
Tell me who, who has the right?
Well no one has the right

Are we making a mistake here?
Well there's no room for that

 Who has the right?
No one has the right

03/24/05 -  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY GIRL - Home

Hello friends, my little precious girl is one year old today. I do have a tear in my eye as I say that also. When she looks back on daddy's website in the future, I want her to know that along with her mother and big brother, they are my entire world. I love you Hailey! Last night we had a triple birthday party for my father-in-law, Dustin who will turn 5 next week and Hailey who is 1 actually today. It was a lot of fun had by all. Here are a few photos from the party.                       

                   

                        

Photos from my first birthday

    

03/20/05 -  R.I.P. JAKSON SPIRES - Home

Hello friends, on March 16th, 2005, one of my drumming icons passed away. I was fortunate to have met him a few years ago passing on tour. Since that time period, we have had a few phone conversations about drums, music and his authentic Indian jewelry that he made and sold. He taught me a lot about drumming and just being a good person especially in this ruthless business in a short time period.  I remember talking to him from a hotel in Shreveport, LA once. We must have talked for two or more hours and only broke conversation because it was time to go do a show. Jakson was the very under rated drummer and co-founder for the rock group "Blackfoot" and he co-wrote hits like "Highway Song", and "Train Train". I grew up playing to their records and studying his drumming. I seen Ricky Medlocke's version of Blackfoot in the early 90's, although I never seen Jakson with them. I did however see Jakson one night after a Van-Dells show playing the same town with the Southern Rock All-stars. I stood on stage near the monitor board in awe of his drummer, literally only a few feet away. After the set, we hung out backstage for a while talking about the normal, drums and music, etc. I will always cherish that moment and am thankful for his kindness and inspiration. dp


*Note: Photo doesn't download the entire way, problem will be fixed soon*

Jakson Spires
April 12, 1951 / March 16, 2005
The world is a lesser place.
 
There will be a celebration of Jak's life at
The Shrine Auditorium in Orlando, Florida
on the 17th of April 2005
Times to Follow
 
A Foundation has been set up for the purpose of caring for Jak's family and to continue work that Jak wanted done.
Thanks to the generous donations of time and services of some of Jak's friends,
100% of all monies raised will go directly for that purpose.
Instead of Cards or Flowers, we ask that, if you are able, please give a donation and make Checks and Money Orders payable to:
Thunderfoot Foundation
P.O. Box 3091
Lantana, FL    33465-3091
 
"A Legend Never Dies"

03/16/05 -  MAKING CHANGES - Home

Hello friends, this is my first post, post Van-Dells. It's been month since my last show and I'll start things off by rewinding through a quick review. Jeff's last show and as the full normal Van-Dells band took place in Springboro, OH. I two more dates in one city to fulfill. My last two shows took place in Biloxi, MS on ironically my 29th birthday, Feb 25 and my last show on Feb 26. I can't tell you how many birthdays I've had in Biloxi...I would say at least 3, maybe 4, maybe more. The Friday night show went wonderful, we were never more "on" than we were on that night for some reason, other than the fill in guitar player (which he did well also). To sum it up, with heavy humor and sarcasm, on our last note of the night dripping in sweat and smiling bigger than the grand canyon, Rod said, "it's too bad we didn't have any fun tonight!", I replied with a loud chuckle and a "yeah right". It was just awesome! That night was my birthday and I would up seeing a killer band down the street at another casino. I ended up onstage with them for most of their last set. I got up to jam with them the next night and we all stay in touch as they're a Nashville band. The second show the next night went just as well but each note had a bitter sweet taste to it as it was my last night with the group. In good tradition I sped up "Duke of Earl". We have a inside joke that on the night of a player leaving the group, Duke must fire you before you can officially quit. After speeding up his song on purpose, Duke came back to the stage after a band tune and when the chorography called for him to look towards the drum riser, he smiled and almost laughing he motioned his lips, "you're fired"...I started laughing so hard I almost lost control of the beat, we all had a good chuckle backstage about it later. At the end of the night Mark proceeded to introduce the band like always and mentioned to the crowd how it was my last night with the group and told the story on how I joined the group back in 1994. "Dave joined us when he was only 18, the day of his audition, we wanted to hire him over the other drummers who auditioned, but we were scared to pull a 18 year old on the road and out of high school...that's when our guitar player at the time said, "he's a good player, if you don't hire him, someone else will...screw it, it's rock n roll"...Mark proceeded to tell say that it was that phrase that convinced them to go ahead and hire me. He then wished me well and jumped on the drum riser and gave me a hug over the drums. I almost started to tear up at this point, but held back. After the show, I go backstage where Duke, Mark and Glenn greeted me with well wishes and hugs. Paul, Rod and I had our goodbyes during break down. The next day was a long back to Nashville and joking with the guys in the van as always, but it was all too short as it was the last ride with them. I'll miss all the good times, the shows, the traveling and all the road stories we'd make each day, the late nights at the hotels playing cards and joking with the boys. I'll miss the different cities and all the dedicated fans in those cities. However, I'm very excited about prospects and my future projects. One of which is something you can order right now. I planned on putting it up as a MP3, but technical glitches made it impossible at the moment, so I decided to release it the old fashion way, more info below. There are also new photos on my photos pages.  I just talked to ex Van-Dells member "Buddy Leach" who is on tour with George Thorogood.  I seen him online and asked "Where are you man?" He replied with, "I'm in Sydney". I asked him what time it was there, He said, "3:00 PM Thursday afternoon" and it was 11 PM Wed night." I found the time change to be insane. I titled this post "Making Changes" and ironically I went Sunday with my ticket in hand to see one of my favorite bands, Tesla, I arrived to find the show had cancelled due to a illness in the band. I'm hoping they reschedule, and one of their songs is called changes. I'll leave you with  the lyrics from that song. Rock on...dp

 

Tesla - Changes  

Changes, times making changes in my life.
Rearranging, always changing.
Can't seem to stop the hands of time.
I remember, I was so young.
I was much too young to see.
Now I'm older, growing older.
And I see things differently.
Oh, can't you see,
it's changing you and me.

Times makin' changes, times makin' changes in my life.
Times rearranging, changing you and me.

Faces, strange faces cloud my mind.
Empty traces, make it hard forme to find.
Somewhere in the distance, 
is there someone who awaits?
For that moment I am taken,
over by the hands of fate.
Can't you see?
The world is changing me.

Times makin' changes, times makin' changes in my life.
Times rearranging, changing you and me.

Nothing ever stays the same.
It's always gonna change.
I'm on my way,
yeah yeah.

Changes, times makin' changes in my life, times makin' changes
in my life.
Rearranging, always changing.
Can't seem to stop the hands of time. 
Can't you see?
It's changing everything.

Times makin' changes, times makin' changes in my life.
Times rearranging, changing you and me.

All these changes.

 Hello friends, there has been a slight delay on the release of my new single via mp3 due to technical problems. I am making it available in CD form immediately through mail order.  To place a order for this item only. E-mail HERE for more information. Each CD will be $5.00 including shipping and handling.