Interview With David W. Smith

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Interview With David W. Smith
GLACER MAGAZINE
E-mail: sitemanager
Brief info

David is a singer/songwriter/keyboardist from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania US area.
He started taking piano lessons in 1977 and at age 11, he developed a deep passion for good music. In the late 1970’s he joined the church choir and by the early 1980’s, songwriting would commence. August 1986, he partnered with Sam Maurer, forming the band "Nobody Knows" and they worked together for one year. Then, he took up with Jim Gordon soon after that in reforming "The Shout" but it didn't materialize. Music always played a major role in David’s life even when he was told to get a haircut and a real job. In the mid 1990’s he was going to karaoke nights with former co-workers and by the late 2000’s he was doing covers in a local coffee shop. Eventually, in the late 2010’s songwriting would resume and he released the album, “Legacy”. David retired from music in December 2022 when he lost his wife of 11 years to cancer. It was a tragic moment for him and faced with hard times he sold his equipment and took his ReverbNation website down. Tough times didn't stop him from doing what he was born for and he later put it all back up with the music. He has come out of retirement to share an acapella he wrote for his dear wife with the world. The rest of the catalogue may follow.

Interview With David W. Smith

Have you always been interested in music? What is your story and how did you start making music?

Yes. I come from an acting family. However, mother noticed early on my “air piano” and got me to start taking lessons. Soon, I was playing with ease and also learnt the guitar from my first stepfather and his friends. Singing came naturally later on though I was very shy growing up. Music saved my life and meeting  the right people in my youth who were equally passionate about music just like myself was a blessing.

What are you working on now? Any future releases we can look forward to?

Nothing at the moment but who knows what life has in store?

What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry?

I peaked at No. 1 on the Local ReverbNation Rock Chart. It would be nice to win an award for our efforts. I want the song to end with my listeners feeling happy.

What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?

When I lost mother in 2010 a drug, I was taking gives me tremors. Preventing me from playing shows. Breaking the stigma on mental health awareness. I lost my 2nd stepfather and biological father in 2021. I lost my wife and had to move in 2022. But I’m coming back. Slowly.

How do you go about writing a song? Do you have a melody in your head and then write the other music for it or what’s Your typical songwriting process?

It can go either way. When I was working on “Legacy,” for the bulk of it I wrote the lyrics first. Instrumentals came on later. Most of that was recorded on an old Radio Shack MD-1700 into Audacity. Switching to a Korg Kross 2, for my latest works I would hum a few bars in an iPhone app and going from there.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

I miss back in the day when you could go to your local record store. One might say the talent isn’t as good.

But I also learned a lot about the business on the internet as well and wouldn’t have gotten on iTunes so it’s been a great tool.

List some famous musicians currently on your playlist?

I like to get my playlist from Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks. I need to get it caught up but I like that Metallica is on there and I’m down with Shinedown for all-time favorite.

What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?

I was in computer operations for 14 years.

Would you have any advice for young people wanting to follow in your footsteps?

You’re never too old to follow your dreams. Keep going. Follow your heart and never give up. Stay young at heart.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I’d like to see ticket prices go down so needy families could see a show.

How do you feel about originality?

Originality is going away painstakingly. Samples keep cropping up just to make a profit. Classic artists cannot be replaced. I’d like to see that change. With more quality than quantity and originality taking over again.

Is there anything else we should know about you? or Something that you would like to add?

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I’m living proof!