Back In The Dave

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.

There has only been one artist that I struggled with so much. The artist? Prince!

After weeks of begging and pleading. In April 1973. My dad finally gave in and bought us a dog. It was not our first dog. In fact, it was our fourth dog! A beautiful Weimaraner. We named him Silver. Silver was the perfect family dog. Until he wasn't!

For years I held close to "little David." That childhood part of me. Well into my twenties and thirties I could still hear his younger voice talking to me, guiding me and advising me. Then one day he was gone.

High school, 1977 I was introduced to two brothers. Johnny and Vincent Byfield.

John told me he was starting a band and needed a bass player. He asked me to come down and play. Excited out of my mind. This was to be my first band ever. More importantly, the keyboard player in the band would become a life long friend and a strong source of inspiration and influence during the early stages of my music. Meet Clayton Gittens!

My mom always made Valentine's day special. She'd mail Valentine's day cards to the house and bring home candy! It was really cool! It's the time of year when everyone is showing love to family and friends. But to me. It should be the time that we love ourselves too!

Well, let me tell you!

I AM IN THE STUDIO RECORDING MY FIRST SOLO ALBUM EVER!

After decades of writing, producing and recording music for other artists.

I'm officially launching my solo music career. I'm the artist now! Writing and producing for myself.

I've been re-inspired by my thirty-eight-year music catalog of pop, R&B, funk and dance music that I've been holding onto for this moment! I've also been collaborating with musicians on new songs too! But what excites me most is, writing songs with the quality and creativity of how music was composed and recorded back in the day!

In those days I was a "super fan" before becoming a musician and songwriter! Many of the artists and songwriters were my early influences. My songwriting roots, creativity and quality are grounded in that era. They are my idols!

I tried embarking on a solo career over twenty years ago. But my family responsibilities and life just didn't allow it. Now I'm ready!

I'd love for you to be a future David Knight fan! And thank you so much for listening to my podcast "Back in The Dave!"