Episode 29 is a special one. I chatted with my college professor, best friend, and best man from my wedding. We chat about performing, auditioning, running a marathon while drinking beer, and stories from his past that influenced the creation of his music albums.
David Bankston’s musical career began in the early 1970s when his folk-rock
band, “Manchild,” was signed to Capitol Records. The group toured the United
States performing in famous folk clubs of the era, universities, and concert
venues on the same bills with Jimmy Buffett, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve
Martin, The Drifters, ZZ Top, Edgar Winter and White Trash, Steve Goodman,
and many others.
He later transitioned into theatrical and operatic singing, performing roles with
Houston Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Washington Opera, San
Francisco Opera, Casa Mañana, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. His notable
roles include Siegfried in Wagner’s Siegfried, Riccardo in Verdi’s Un Ballo in
Maschera, Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca, and Gaylord Ravenal in Showboat
with Van Johnson and as James in Shennandoah with Howard Keel.
He now records and performs concerts of his original compositions in the genres
of Americana, contemporary folk music and jazz. His recordings feature some of
the greatest players in popular music: Sonny Landreth, Sam Broussard, Steve
Bailey, saxophonist, Stephen Riley, Byron House, Jeff Taylor and Jelly Roll
Johnson. His albums Galvez Town and Jazz Blues Gospel Shoes can be
streamed on Spotify and YouTube.
He was educated in San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program and the Houston
Grand Opera Studio. Dr. Bankston holds a DMA in Vocal Performance from the
University of South Carolina.
He recently retired as Professor Emeritus of Music at Coastal Carolina University. David's students
have performed on Broadway, national tours, international and regional opera.