David Dunkley, following the rhythm of his heart.
If you know Dave, you that he's got the bluest eyes, and nearly the blondest hair; but let me tell you it's all a crock...David Dunkley is the blackest man I know, in every sense of the word. He is a true brotha.
I seems like I've known Dave forever, but I really got to know him during a short spell on his couch for a few months back in the early 90's (one of my nomad periods...).
Dave was living in the swinging bachelor pad on the Westside of Charleston, playing music everywhere with everyone, and trying hard to make it in the music biz.
At the point that he and I started hanging out in earnest he was playing with a band called Sleeper, a groove machine of a group. During our Sternwheel Regatta, they enlisted me to sit in on the saxophone for the night and it was too much fun.
Dave was their drummer at the time and he would keep the band in stitches with his crazy humor (just somthin' about them drummers, and being hilarious).
Over the years it seemed that David was just everywhere at once, and luckily for me whenever I would show up he would personally see to it that everyone was aware of my presence. I can still hear him..." Tee, don't be tryin' ta hide in the doggone corner, where's that saxophone? (...in my car Dave !!), well just march yourself out there and get it !!! "
You can't be anonymous with him, but that's the spirit of Dave Dunkley.
He and I spent countless hours talking about the music business and the things that Charleston needed to do for our fellow musicians here. One of the cool things about David is that he didn't limit himself to just being a drummer, he'd break out and play some pretty mean percussion once in awhile, if he needed to, he didn't have the kind of ego that said I must be the drummer at all times, he would just go with flow.
At a certain point, like most folks in this town, he started to get really restless. It's really difficult to make music your life's work in this area, for a number of reasons which I won't get into now ( stay tuned for a blog post on the pitfalls of Charleston music, in Standing In The Shadows Of Music), but like alot of folks Dave had to leave for greener pastures. Well, our loss, was the tremendous gain for Nashville and legendary country singer Tim McGraw. As being blessed would have it, they soon found each other, and I am happy to report that David Dunkley is one of Tim's Dancehall Doctors ( Tim McGraw's serious alter ego band.).
I cannot begin to tell you how absolutely proud and happy I am for a man who followed the rhythm of his heart and came up a winner.
Another thing that makes me love him even more is he's now found solace in the arms of the God, and he and his beautiful wife and family are a part of Gods' everlasting family, and Dave still is one of us, he didn't go Hollywood and forget about us, his love has increased 10 fold.
It's my pleasure to tell you that you can catch Dave Dunkley with Tim McGraw in the upcoming Live 8 concert being broadcast live throughout the world.
This is a concert to help end poverty throughout Africa and the Third World.
Also check the internet and you local library for Tim McGraw's music which features our Dave.
This post is also dedicated to David's mother Pat, who did one helluva job raising her son by herself, and turning him into a decent, caring and "COOL" man.
Support Live Music today, tomorrow, and always...
I seems like I've known Dave forever, but I really got to know him during a short spell on his couch for a few months back in the early 90's (one of my nomad periods...).
Dave was living in the swinging bachelor pad on the Westside of Charleston, playing music everywhere with everyone, and trying hard to make it in the music biz.
At the point that he and I started hanging out in earnest he was playing with a band called Sleeper, a groove machine of a group. During our Sternwheel Regatta, they enlisted me to sit in on the saxophone for the night and it was too much fun.
Dave was their drummer at the time and he would keep the band in stitches with his crazy humor (just somthin' about them drummers, and being hilarious).
Over the years it seemed that David was just everywhere at once, and luckily for me whenever I would show up he would personally see to it that everyone was aware of my presence. I can still hear him..." Tee, don't be tryin' ta hide in the doggone corner, where's that saxophone? (...in my car Dave !!), well just march yourself out there and get it !!! "
You can't be anonymous with him, but that's the spirit of Dave Dunkley.
He and I spent countless hours talking about the music business and the things that Charleston needed to do for our fellow musicians here. One of the cool things about David is that he didn't limit himself to just being a drummer, he'd break out and play some pretty mean percussion once in awhile, if he needed to, he didn't have the kind of ego that said I must be the drummer at all times, he would just go with flow.
At a certain point, like most folks in this town, he started to get really restless. It's really difficult to make music your life's work in this area, for a number of reasons which I won't get into now ( stay tuned for a blog post on the pitfalls of Charleston music, in Standing In The Shadows Of Music), but like alot of folks Dave had to leave for greener pastures. Well, our loss, was the tremendous gain for Nashville and legendary country singer Tim McGraw. As being blessed would have it, they soon found each other, and I am happy to report that David Dunkley is one of Tim's Dancehall Doctors ( Tim McGraw's serious alter ego band.).
I cannot begin to tell you how absolutely proud and happy I am for a man who followed the rhythm of his heart and came up a winner.
Another thing that makes me love him even more is he's now found solace in the arms of the God, and he and his beautiful wife and family are a part of Gods' everlasting family, and Dave still is one of us, he didn't go Hollywood and forget about us, his love has increased 10 fold.
It's my pleasure to tell you that you can catch Dave Dunkley with Tim McGraw in the upcoming Live 8 concert being broadcast live throughout the world.
This is a concert to help end poverty throughout Africa and the Third World.
Also check the internet and you local library for Tim McGraw's music which features our Dave.
This post is also dedicated to David's mother Pat, who did one helluva job raising her son by herself, and turning him into a decent, caring and "COOL" man.
Support Live Music today, tomorrow, and always...
posted by Charlie Tee at 4:34 PM
6 Comments:
Such a wonderful article and SO true. He is so down to earth. The road life has a way of changing people but not DOC DUNK. I went to school in WV and I know the down home love and respect...and he still has it. It has been a blessing for us "Tim Fans" to know him and love him!
I agree!! Dave is the best.... and has helped made my friend's road life fun and like a family...We can't imagine Tim without the DHD!
We love ya here in The Mapdot, Dave!
Carmen
CHARLIE, YOU COULD NOT BE MORE CORRECT ABOUT DAVE. HE HS NOT CHANGED ONE BIT. AS A LONG TIME FRIEND I FIND IT REFRESHING THAT ALL THIS FAME HAS NOT GONE TO IS HEAD. GOES TO SHOW THAT HE IS TRULY A "BIG" MAN. WAY TO GO DUNK...PROUD OF YA!!!!!
I remember joining the Air Force and having to say goodbye to my family. It was the same time that the Gulf War broke out. A few years later I lost my grandfather and returned home to visit my mother and step-dad Wally Price, a long time friend of Dave and all the others in Sleeper. I was miserable in burying my grandfather and helping my mother when WII told me to go to the Regatta with him and watch Sleeper play, have a few beers, and just let go. Always good to see Chet and Davey jam. Sleeper opened for the Pointer Sisters (If I remember correctly) and I had a great time. I usually got to see them play when I came home and was always part of the trip. Time has passed and everyone has went their own ways, especially me. Im married with kids and my wife loves Tim McGraw, even though Im a rocker, especially Kings X. Davey got my wife an autographed picture of Tim and my wife was ecstatic. Even though my wife hasnt met you or Chet(yet...)she always has to listen to me talk about the days of my early adult life. In fact, everyone in Sleeper and of Wallys friends he ever introduced me too have been gracious. Davey, Im proud of ya and all you have done. I still keep up with you and Chet when I go home to see Mom and Wally, Erin/Erica and everyone else. Still miss Todd (Duckhead) It would be good to see everyone again but duty calls and my trips home arent as often anymore. Maybe I can stop when I pass thru TN on my way home to good ole WV. Once again, proud of you and hope all stays well.
Jeremy Foster
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David is one of the greatest men I know. He is a true man of God and he was there for me with true wisdom and love when no one else was. God used him to keep me from making one of the greatest mistakes of my life, and because of his friendship and his pure heart he heard the voice of God when no one else did. Thank you David for being you, thank you for not compromising who you are, you are one of a kind. You dont have to be perfect, well versed, know every scripture, have powers, etc... to be a true person of God, you just have to love with Gods love and that is what He did. Your the best David I miss you.
Love,
Heather Newman
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