don davis story
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Born in Erie, Pennsylvania the same year the music died; I was encouraged by my parents and the example of my brothers to enjoy music at an early age. As my oldest brother was struggling in his guitar lessons, I felt drawn to pick up the instrument. Somehow, I figured out how to play the thing. By age ten, I was already playing in a band that actually got paid.
While playing the guitar was always my primary desire, I was also always interested in playing the piano and the drums. At fourteen, I took some piano lessons from an excellent instructor. In one year, this teacher gave me a solid foundation of basic music theory.
I began to feel extreme emptiness with all of my musical pursuits. I was miserable and playing music was not enough to fill the void in my life. When my brother started to read the Bible, I too became very interested. I began reading while not understanding very much. One night, after throwing my
drumsticks to the ground and pounding the walls in desperation, I found myself drawn into the empty living room where the voice of Billy Graham was thundering through the television set. I couldn't believe that after being raised in a church, it took this long for the mystery of the gospel to be unveiled to me. As I asked Christ into my life, I found an immediate joy and an ability to understand the scriptures.
Now, it seemed natural to me to blend my passion for music with the message of the gospel. I started to write songs with strong Christian messages. Then I stumbled upon the idea of rewriting Handel's Messiah. Since there was little interest in performing my songs, I was swept away into the realm of playing secular music. And so the battle emerged. How does one use his musical gifts appropriately? Most of my adult life had been a struggle to answer that question. I tried to be a full time musician for a few years, but it became too difficult to raise a family. When I attended a church
that was using guitars and drums, I began to invest myself into sacred music again. My desire to mix the Word and music had been fully revived.
Then, after 15 years, it took a divorce for me to rediscover my passion for writing songs. I felt strongly that my experience could be beneficial to the many Christians who are experiencing a "Wall of Separation". Making that CD was so much fun for me that I decided to do another. As I sought what I thought the Lord would have me to do next, His answer seemed clear- "Go back and record your Messiah songs. The songs you wrote when you were really in love with Me". I kept thinking to myself, I was fourteen when I wrote those songs and yet there is something about them that I still like. I decided to record the songs with elaborate keyboard parts to assimilate a more angelic atmosphere.
In conclusion, my desire is to make music that will touch people in a unique way. Wall of Separation should appeal to those who have suffered a marital breakup, while King David's Messiah is intended to make people more aware of the awesome nature of the gospel message. Please keep me in your prayers and let's work together to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.
Don Davis |
