Back In The Dave: Recent Episodes
David knight
Composer, producer, recording artist David Knight digs into his childhood record collection and pulls out classic albums, 45’s, 12’s, and cassettes, with their original, snap, crackle, pop, skips and tape hiss. Taking you, the baby boomer “Back in The Dave!”
Through Dave’s eyes growing up as a young New York musician. “Back in the Dave” reconnects the life, times and stories to the music that became the soundtrack of our youth.
In this episode, I’ll talk about the future of Back in The Dave, my music, and so much more. I can’t wait to let you in on the journey and share my vision for what’s ahead. There’s a lot to look forward to, and I’m so grateful you are here with me…
In this episode, walk with me from my early childhood beginnings watching my opera-singing mom perform on stage, through the 1980s limited technologies, to present day real-life sounding instruments. The Awakening is my first attempt at composing and recording a classical-sounding song using contemporary orchestral libraries.
I've been on pens and needles since 2017 to release this song!
"The Awakening" goes back to my childhood, the years my siblings and I spent watching our mom rehearse the leading role of Daphnie Byfield with a full orchestra in Irving Burgie's original play- Ballad for Bimshire.
The Awakening is the culmination of my childhood influences growing up backstage, watching my amazing mom sing, and the artist I have become today.
Initially, I wrote The Awakening as a traditional orchestral piece. But not being a trained classical musician or composer, my love for Barry White kicked in, and I turned a pretty cool classical-sounding piece into a funk dance orchestration!
I love The Awakening! I'm proud of it. I believe it will open my creativity across areas of music I never imagined!
Come, listen to The Awakening with me as I release the single and premiere the video!
The relationship between the piano and me is a story that feels like a coming of age. I smile in amazement when I think back on how it all started.
The piano was the first instrument I was introduced to. I remember my siblings and I gathered around the piano one Saturday evening, watching my dad play Chopsticks and another song I can't remember the name of. I was amazed! My dad was making music right in our living room!
The piano was not my instrument of choice. Yet, it has become a staple in everything I do musically. I do not know what I would have done without it!
Some songs continue to top my list for bringing up my emotions. I can't explain the reasons why. I can only explain how they make me feel!
I genuinely know the connection between the vibrations of music and the vibration of the human body and our soul's energies are one. I sincerely believe it is because music comes from us, and we come from music.
I pulled several songs together to share with you; the stories and how each one affects me on multiple levels of feelings.
Today, April 11th is the 48th anniversary of the passing of my brother Marc. I like to do positive things on this day now as it was a traumatizing and painful experience for me, my family, and our friends and neighbors.
I have a short story I want to tell you that took place between Marc and me in the back seat of my mom's car while driving out to Long Island to visit our grandparents. It wasn't funny at the time. But has become a fun memory for me and something I now do to drive my family nuts, LOL!
Ah, the feelings of young first love! Having lived for multiple decades, I appreciate my youthful experiences of falling in love. Well, "in like" is more like it at that age. 1974, as I approached my 12th birthday. A new classmate entered Horizon School. Her name was Peri Belleman.
I think every hormone in every part of my body came alive! Every move she made, I watched, every word she spoke, I listened. But in those days. I was shy when it came to talking to girls. Somehow, I found a way to talk with Peri, and a friendship started. And that rolled into her and me, becoming boyfriend and girlfriend.
What I could have never known was our hormones were about to be put on blast!
Music is healing. It's a powerful healer. It's an essential part of my healing practice. Along with music, there are six essentials that I use every day. I created three of them and will share with you, and three have been recognized by doctors, gurus, healers, herbalists and coaches from all walks of life.
They are the BedRock of my life and what I know, and have come to believe to be the cornerstones of mental, emotional, and physical health.
oin me on this episode as I drop my latest single "Take It Higher"! 🎶
But wait, there's more! Right after the premiere, don’t touch that dial. I’m here for an exclusive celebration of the song. 🎉 I'll be delving into the creation process and all the behind-the-scenes stories. It's not just a release; it's a journey into the heart of the music.
This marks my first release in three years, and I can't wait to share this special moment with you. Your presence will make it even more memorable! 🚀 #TakeItHigher #PodcastCelebration #BehindTheMusic
I've lost count of how many times my grandmother told me I have diarrhea of the mouth! She was right. I love to talk! I was so excited to do this episode. I talked and talked until I was exhausted, and then I talked some more!
It's 2024. Let's go back to the times and music of 50 years ago to 1974 when Michael Jackson was 16 years old, and Barry White had the biggest hit in the nation!
I believe that each year, life should move ahead in love and peace. Our life experience should not be of pain, anger, and enrage. I'm not suggesting we should all be tip-toeing through the tulips all day. But make a weekly conscious choice to find peace and joy.
The holidays bring a sense of peace, calm, and joy. Folks are nicer and less stressed. The energy of love throughout the world is felt by most.
My dream is for love, calm, joy, and peace to continue long after the holiday season ends and into everyday life. What does it take to make this a reality?
An awareness that it's possible. And the belief that you can do it.
Happy Holidays
It's that time of year! Time to be happy, full of joy and peace. Yet, Many of us easily fall into deep thought, thinking about those we love who have passed on. I'm there with you! For me, it's my dad, my older sister, my little brother, my grandparents and many more. And with all these holiday feelings bottled up inside of me. This year is compounded with local and global unrest.
Israel and Hamas, the war between Russia and Ukraine. Africa fighting back from oppression and colonialism, will there be another Civil war in America? Disease, healthcare, global warming, mass shootings, and growing inflation. These are the thoughts ruminating in our minds. For the first time since the existence of man, we have created a perfect storm of multiple simultaneous global self-destructive conditions.
How do we enjoy Holidays or celebrate a New Year with mankind spinning out of control around us?
I wish I had the answer. I prefer to share my thoughts, dreams, and things I do to remain sane and calm.
We are so entangled in our cultures that breaking free from the script seems unimaginable. We've bought into the idea that culture defines us. Don't get me wrong; culture is fantastic for connecting, but it shouldn't be our default setting. The subject matter in this Back in The Dave episode is particularly sensitive, and my perspective may not align with the mainstream narrative. I'm aware that I'm asking people to challenge deeply held beliefs and consider a different perspective for what I believe is a greater good. Despite wrestling with self-doubt, I found the courage to put this episode out there. It wasn't just a personal revelation but also the encouragement I received from various sources, including a serendipitous YouTube video, a heartfelt conversation with my wife on an unrelated topic, and a thought-provoking movie. It felt like the universe was urging me to share this message.
So, in the end, I decided to put it out into the world, allowing you, my fans and listeners, to engage with it and draw your conclusions.
Picture this: I'm on the sales floor demonstrating a stereo system for a customer back in the day; I'm rocking fresh out the studio music from my band Chace to show off the system and my music, LOL! Suddenly, disaster strikes. This is an uproarious story of how a crazy mishap turned into an epic workday tale.
In late 1983, I began to sense tensions within the band. Clearly, there was a pink elephant in the room. I denied there was a growing issue. Instead, I did what I always did. I went to my bedroom and came up with a bassline for another dance tune, as if music would solve our problems!
We felt success was on the way. And all of us began to live as if it had happened already! But in early 1984. Everything went wrong!
Transition; is a word that often refers to the passing of life, a change, a shift, the old to a new. After months of trial and tribulation trying to figure out our sound! Chace experienced a transition between late 1981 thru 1982.
There were so many steps along our journey. As always, defining and taking the first step was our priority. And to me, that meant coming up with a dance song, a funky bass line.
It is a long episode, so hang in there. Our story will amaze you as much as we were living it! And if you're not dancing by the end of the episode, I'll be shocked!
The fall of 1981 was insane! As a band, we could not find songs that we felt could compete with the top forty artists of the era. Musically we had to stand with Luther Vandross, Rick James, Chaka Kahn, and Tina Marie. And that’s just scratching the surface! Clearly, this was no laughing matter, LOL! We needed to define our sound. That was the key that would separate us from the immense top 40 billboard talent facing us!
The only way to create “our sound” would be to write songs to spotlight our unique talents. And that’s where our heartaches started!
We threw out song after song. They were good! Just not good enough; some just sucked! Maybe we should not have compared ourselves to other artists. But we knew that's what the record companies would do. As a new band, we were wet behind the ears. And it showed in the music!
We had two things in our favor. Raw talent and a Ballard that gave us hope!
During high school, I was dead serious about being like the commodores. I modeled myself behind Lionel Richie and wanted to follow in the band's footsteps. I knew the first step was to go to college and start a band. Let me be clear. Not so much to learn music. But to start a band! Like the Commodores did. I did just that in the winter of 1981.
Chace became so promising. I dropped out of college to focus on songwriting and growing the band. Then the unexpected happens. Chace broke up in January 1984. Leaving me hurt and confused. That experience, amazingly, started my music career and my life.
It is a bittersweet story for me, but what you’ll hear is how we grew from jamming around the family piano in my family’s living room to recording in one of New York City’s major recording studios and preparing to take over the world with our funky, dance sound!
Do you recall a moment in life when you were struggling with something? No matter how hard. It didn't click! Then out of nowhere. A stranger comes along and teaches you a little something, and bam! You got it. This month's "Back in The Dave" podcast episode tells the story of my struggle learning a challenging style of bass playing called "thumbing."Then five years later, a crazy twist happens!
I have a new artist and an old friend I would like to introduce to you.
His name is Aaron "Bionic" Brown. Aaron and I met twenty-five years ago. It is hard to believe so many years have gone by. His love for jazz and his eclectic taste for so much music surpasses my comprehension.
A few months back. I took a couple of hours to catch up with Aaron. He played his new songs for me, and we talked some studio talk. I was also interested in digging into Aarons back in the day life growing up. Like me, he was a young musician in New York.
I also wanted to know his thoughts on life today, health wellness, and how he juggles it all!
In this episode, you will hear Aaron's new music and learn how to follow him. He is worth every listen.
Benjamin N. Cardozo high school 1977, a new school, and new friends. The tenth grade was the bomb! Not because I was so in love with school, my grades surely told another story! But it was the time in my life when I'd begin to meet musicians from all over Queens,NY. My older brother Anthony had been attending Cardozo high two years before me. Once I arrived at the school. He began introducing me to as many people who were into music as he could. Little did I know. He would introduce me to Julio Herrera. A keyboard player that went on to have an awesome career in music!
“Back in The Dave returns after a one-year hiatus!
Listen now to the “Happy New Year” episode, and when you’re done. Now is a great time to binge-listen to the past five seasons. I’m very excited to be back doing the show, and looking forward to engaging with you all!
It's been since Novemebr 2021 since my last episode, much has happeded, and much is changing. I'm here to update you on the show, and more.
Thanksgiving is that one holiday when the family is focused on family, togetherness, and love of family. But, when a family splits in two, Thanksgiving looks and feels different. I did notice those differences, but the music stood out the most.
Our generation grew up when television was just getting started, and if your family was like mine. Going to bed with the television on was a way of life. I’ve asked health coach Christina Wakefield to be my special guest on this episode.
Christina works at Parsely Health, a membership-based, holistic health, holistic medicine healthcare provider, to which I am a member, and Christina is my health coach! This was a deep, and informative live session
Have you ever had an experience in your life when you just knew something messed up was going to happen? In 1985 I had that feeling. What I didn't know was, it was going to happen while I was building my new storefront recording and rehearsal studio! I was so pissed!
Long before I had given thought to play an instrument. Life was knocking at my door saying. "Hey, music is your path in your life, man, wake up!" I ignored it for the longest time. Flying model rockets was way more fun!
Until one day, I picked up a kazoo, you remember, the little plastic wax paper instrument? I played the hell out of that instrument, which led to performing live in concert, in...the "cafeteria," LOL!
The annual "Summer Jam" celebration. Time to dance, sing, and uplift your spirit with some of the hottest jams of our generation.
Lyrics, the meaning in a song; we're so driven by the beat and groove in a song; the lyrics go over our heads. Yet, when you stop to listen to the lyrics, how many times did you say, that's my story? I feel that way, or I can relate. Music is powerful. Music with lyrics speaking to the human experience is epic! Let's listen to some deep lyrics.
Fantasy World, my latest single releases today, but how did I almost not record this song, and what "reinspired" me to record it after forty years of it sitting in my ice cooler! Come on, let's go "Back in The Dave" to 1981, when this song deeply disappointed me!
1968 was the mark of a significant change in sound in the music industry. Sly and The Family Stone released their first single, "Dance to The music," and music would never be the same again.
I was the young age of six that year, and it would be eight years before I'd make a decision to become a musician and begin to play Sly and The Family Stone songs on my bass. I wouldn't fully understand the "deep" impact of Sly and The Family Stone's influence on my bass playing, songwriting, and production until after decades are gone.
I was innocent in my teens. I didn't care who made the music. I loved it and the artists. Over time, I kept hearing the term "blue-eyed soul," I didn't know what it meant, and I didn't care! But it did begin to stir my curiosity the more I heard it. One day in 1978, at an M-U-1 band practice. I asked John, the bandleader, "what does blue-eyed soul mean?" With a chiseled look, he said, "David, it's white folks stealing our music!" I was shocked! I had no idea. A person's skin didn't matter to me.
Let's honor the life and music of the maestro, Barry White! Through his music, we'll celebrate "Black History Month" and Valentine's day.
Sitting in the back seat of my mother's Chevy Nova, a song came on the radio. I thought it was Issac Hayes! I listened more, "no, it's not Issac Hayes, wait, yes it is, no, yes, no, yes,! I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. Finally, I realized it wasn't Hayes. At the end of the song the DJ said, "and that was Barry White!"
"Who the heck is Barry White?" I asked myself. I had no idea. I only knew I loved his music, and I soon found out!
Before Lionel Richie and the Commodores, Barry White was my man!
My dad, boy, oh boy, I could say a ton of things about him! One thing that stands out was his sick sense of humor. When he was in comedy mode, he'd do anything to get a laugh from his children. One day, he took it way, way too far!
In this episode, my take on the Capitol building riot.
Every year Christmas and the holidays bring joy and sadness. It's that one time of year when the two emotions interconnect. We celebrate the holidays, the spirit of Christmas, bringing in a new year, and yet, it's a reminder of the people we've lost, the pains we have suffered, or the struggles we have. I experience these emotions, and at the same time, I think about the music that was played in my home growing up, and as I face my emotions. I allow the music that filled our home to balance me out!
Is it love that I feel? I've just got to know myself is it real? Those are the opening lyrics to Larry Graham's 1978 song, "Is it Love?"
Love is the experience and desire we all want during our lifetime; love is a want and a need, wrapped up in one!
And yet, there's no guarantee we will truly and fully experience love.
In this episode, Brenda B. shares her "love story" during her teenage years in the early 1970s. A love so strong, life could not break its connection.
There are times in life when we find ourselves doing things we didn't think we'd ever have to do. In the spring of 1988, I was in a situation that terrified me, while two hours out at sea!
Once upon a time, there were melodies without words. Walls of sound, harmonies, and grooves, uplifting melodies, beautiful and equal to their lyrical counterparts, during the passage of the fifty moons, the wordless melodies became hidden behind a mountain of beats "rapped" in rhyming words, and over time the melodies without words became lost to its people, what the melodies without words didn't realize was, their wordless harmonies and grooves had remained in the hearts of the people, for the "beated rap's" could not survive the fifty moon passage!
When you think of music, what comes to mind, beats, melodies, and lyrics? As a composer and musician, those are the tools I use to create music. They are the vehicles for a musical experience!
To really experience music similar to a musician, you have to look into its core, its life form, its power force, its energy!
Let's connect to the song!
Have you ever felt like you just wanted to go home? That life, being an adult, and everything that comes with it takes you to a point where if you could turn back the clock and go back to your childhood home, or that place in life that "feels" like home to you, would you go back?
I would, and while I know there's no time machine, I have a song that takes me home, and I play it specifically for that reason, and without fail, in my mind, it drops me at the front door of my old house.
Music is the one creative energy that all humans connect with, of course, it's subjective, still, we somehow find our way to the music we love, during modern music's early days, fans would listen to music on the radio, records, and tapes, but there was one platform that went under the radar. Television!
We took for granted the music embedded in tv shows, the theme songs that we walked around humming in our heads, or whistling down the street.
I bet if I asked you to sing "Mr. Rogers's neighborhood," you could in a heartbeat because we had no idea the music introducing the start of our favorite television show captivated us so deeply, and often, the lyrics revealed what the show was about.
Though most television show's theme music never got radio airplay, they were just as popular as radio hits, and some did make the radio, so let's go back and sing along!
Summer Jam 2020, it's time to dance, dance, dance like you did "back in the day, come on, crank up your earbuds and let your heart and soul go!
The Summer Jam episodes I really enjoy doing, it's great music, talking about it and thinking about the good days when the music was hot!
As a recording artist, I found myself between a rock and a hard place, should I address today's racial topic? How could I not, as an African American man, I simply had to, I did not want to look at it like everyone else, I noticed something different, so I decided to speak to both sides of the fence.
My point of view is passionate, blunt, and expressed using strong langue, not more normal it's how I see the topic of race in this country and the world, you might not share my views and that's ok.
Today, June 15th I lost my childhood friend, keyboard player, and best friend, Clayton Gittens. This special episode is in his memory and honor. I'm already missing you man.
In spring 1976, I set out to become a bass player and recording artist. It was a decision I made just weeks after my little brother tragically lost his life.
I never once thought it would take me over four decades to achieve my goal! And while achieving it was joyous and celebratory, as it was unfolding in realtime, the reality of what I had accomplished didn't hit me until twenty-four hours later, when I emotionally broke down!
A sea of female guitar players, how do you stand out? Life challenges never stop, the joy and pain dancing in the rain, still finding a way to bring it all together in a single instance of life while expressing it through her music. Vicki Genfan, "percussive" acoustic guitar player and vocalist, Vicki takes us through her life and music, sit back, listen, and embrace one beautiful human being and outstanding recording artist.
As a bass player, the drummer is my clock. My job is to stay locked in with the clock and to put the "bottom" in the song. When I think of the many drummers I've played, with and the famous drummers I admire like Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, and many more, one of the badest drummers is RAH. We've been close friends for over twenty years!
Introducing you to RAH and his music has me so "gassed up" it's crazy. He's recently released his latest album, Gods Music and you're about to experience one of the badest drummers on the planet!
Historically spring is that time of year when we get out of the house, stretch our legs, get spring cleaning done and more, back in the day record labels would release music during spring in hopes of getting a big hit by summertime, we're now in the year 2020, and we've all been on quarantine, life has changed!
We need to release we have to let go of the heartbreak, fear, and anxiety that we're experiencing in the present day. We need a "spring release!" Let's find new love, rekindle current love and dance until we faint! Grab someone close to you and either fall in love or dance, Get ready!
In the late 1950s. Kenny Roger’s started a music career that would span six decades. His solo career would take him to iconic status. Songs like The Gambler, Island in the Stream, You Decorate My Life and Lady, served Kenny up like a "hot plate of cornbread and butter" to people around the world!
Kenny was one of the few artists that almost every song he released became a big hit! We lost Kenny Roger’s on March 20th, 2020, let's honor him.
The Coronavirus like many germs and bacteria can't stand up to a strong immune system.
And to me, keeping your gut as clean as possible is the first step, the second step is what you must do once your cleanse is complete. In session 2, I share my "next step" practices with you.
It's all about being healthy and relaxing during this global life event!
As we face this world event as a global family. I decided to create something that I hope will take your focus off of the day-to-day worries and challenges.
In addition to the regular "Back in The Dave" podcast. I'm releasing "Max and Relax Sessions" during the time we deal with the coronavirus.
Max and Relax Sessions is a place for peace of mind when you need a break!
Each session I share what I'm doing to protect myself from getting the virus. While being transparent about how I'm coping with my day-to-day and the practices that help me deal!
Max and Relax sessions inform, inspire, entertain, suggest, recommends's and provide's resources to help each of us get through another day of quarantine's, hand washing, social distancing, and our fears as we cope with this world event.
Their arent many people who can say that they've traveled the world, walked arm-in-arm with Martin Luther King Jr., helped mankind, fought for equal rights and became a music super icon in a single life. But at the age of 93, Harry Belafonte is one of the few.
As a child, Belafonte's music often played in the background, as I and my little brother run in and out of the house, slamming the screen door! Yet I didn't know much about Harry, past his music. What I discovered was more powerful then any song he could ever sing!
Sharp stabbing pains in my heart, dizziness, and sweating is how I remember feeling coming off stage after a college performance in 1984. I had no idea that playing my bass guitar and performing so hard that night would make me sick and awaken me to healing myself thirty years later. And it was all in my heart!
Humans are 99.99% all the same. Our culture is one of the things that makes us feel as if we're different. It can also throw us for a real loop!
I got thrown from the mountain top one day due to cultural differences. I learned a valuable lesson, but not before I went spinning around in circles trying to figure out what to do and who's bamboozling me, ugh!
Unexpected sudden death. It feels like you've been hit and run over by a freight train. I know, I've had the experience! You're in shock, deeply hurt, confused and helpless. The sudden and unexpected death of Kobe Bryant shocked the country and the world.
Navigating our thoughts feelings and emotions as we take this painful walk to say "goodbye" to Kobe, his Daughter Gianna and the seven other good people who lost their lives in the helicopter crash is not going to be easy.
At times, we take for granted the experiences in life that have profound meaning and impact on our lives. We think nothing of it.
In 1979, my family had a final break down. Leaving a home that once flourished with life, in darkness. When the dust settled. My dad and I found ourselves together and alone. It became a five-year education I never expected.
Happy New Year! Today marks the beginning of a new year and a new decade! That started me think about back in the day. It's now 2020, which means 1980 was forty years ago! Let's take a ride back 40yrs when we all walked out of the 1970s and into the crazy '80s! It's hard to believe that 1980 was forty years ago, WOW!
Trip along with me when we were children, Christmas music, a warm fireplace, family, friends, loved ones and holiday movies, Christmas as we lived it. Never forget the most important gift of them all!
Starting during the holiday season of 1981 at the age of 19, until the spring of 1986. I worked part-time as a floor manager for A&S department store, Abraham and Strauss.
God, such a unique time in life and for my life! During that period. I met so many great people who go on to become life-long friends. Walter Allison, my long-time friend, joins me as we talk about the "fast times at A&S department store!" The stories are endless and funny! Including why I was called down and questioned by security, scandalous!
Thanksgiving is down the block! It's the kickoff to the Christmas and holiday season. Like many, I use this time to express thanks.
As usual, I take things too far, and since 2007-2008, the holiday has become my time to dig deeper into my spirt. The reason being is, after experiencing so many losses, I wanted to learn all that I could about how we transition from our physical selves, I wanted answers to my question "what happens when we die?"
Ultimately, I was taken on a life-changing spiritual adventure. I got more than the answers I was looking for and I'm so "thankful."
Percussionist Antonio (Tony) Rodrequiz sits in the studio with me as we listen to and discuss Salsa music!
Tony has been playing conga drums since the age of 23. A late start by musician standards, but his love for drums and music made all the difference.
In a short period, Tony was traveling the world with some of the hottest artists and musicians in Salsa and Latin music. A long-time friend of my wife. I was told Tony was part of the package when I asked her to marry me. I was like, ok, "cool to me!"
Together Tony and I listen to some of the most awesome Salsa music during the 20th century. Tony also shares the touching story of his dad's transition and how he, his family and friends used the music his dad loved to send him off!
Michael Rozelle tells a heartfelt story about his dad, the great Harry Rozelle. Or as his fans during the 1950s Chicago music scene nicknamed him, Mr. WestSide!
The struggles between a musician father and his son and the deep love he had for his wife and children!
When you hear Mr. WestSide sing and play the boogie! The hair on your arms will rise!
During June and July of 1990, my dad's heart began to fail dramatically.
I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the beginning of the end of my dad’s life. The events that would unfold over the next five weeks would challenge me to the core of my being. They would forever change me in ways that continue to affect my life to this very day.
When you hear the term "Soul Food," what comes to mind? African American's, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked neck bone, black-eyed peas and rice, grits, cheese, and butter? I grew up eating all of that and more! Yet as a songwriter, I know music to be soul food! This four-part episode takes you to the heart of your soul!
Get ready to Lean on one another. Try a little Peace and Mercy. Dance and reach out! And if all that fails. Keep on moving!
When you hear the term "Soul Food," what comes to mind? African American's, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked neck bone, black-eyed peas and rice, grits, cheese, and butter? I grew up eating all of that and more! Yet as a songwriter, I know music to be soul food! This four-part episode takes you to the heart of your soul!
Get ready to Lean on one another. Try a little Peace and Mercy. Dance and reach out! And if all that fails. Keep on moving!
When you hear the term "Soul Food," what comes to mind? African American's, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked neck bone, black-eyed peas and rice, grits, cheese, and butter? I grew up eating all of that and more! Yet as a songwriter, I know music to be soul food! This four-part episode takes you to the heart of your soul!
Get ready to Lean on one another. Try a little Peace and Mercy. Dance and reach out! And if all that fails. Keep on moving!
When you hear the term "Soul Food," what comes to mind? African American's, baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens with smoked neck bone, black-eyed peas and rice, grits, cheese, and butter? I grew up eating all of that and more! Yet as a songwriter, I know music to be soul food! This four-part episode takes you to the heart of your soul!
Get ready to Lean on one another. Try a little Peace and Mercy. Dance and reach out! And if all that fails. Keep on moving!
Summer 1975 was the summer I'll never forget. Fun was the only activity taking place. Joy, happy, exciting, girls, danger, mischief, adrenaline rush are just some of the words that describe it.
It was a summer full of music, block parties, blockbuster movies and more. It was a Summer Jam!
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.
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!"
When I hear story's about what men and women have gone through for love. I find it amazing! I once stalked a Bed Bath and Beyond employee to ask her out on a date.
My wife Maggie joins me! Together, we tell our heartwarming story of how we met. You won't believe what I did just to meet her!
Death has been at the forefront of my life since childhood. The first time I remember experiencing death was discovering our dog Rusty at the bottom of our backyard stairwell.
A few years later it was my brother, then my dad, then several friends, then my grandmother, then my sister. Finally, in 2007 I had had enough. I decided to study and research death.
Oddly enough. Many of the answers I was seeking were standing in front of me all of my life. In my grandfather Big Daddy!
When I think back on my first sexual experience. I often put myself in the same boat as some women. It was horrible! Yet, it made me realize two important things in life.
On Christmas Eve in 1972, my siblings and I woke up in the middle of the night only to find that we were home alone. To our surprise, upon walking into the living room, the Christmas tree was all lit up and smelled of fresh pine and it happened to be snowing outside! What we did next almost ruined our Christmas!
30yrs ago during the week of December 4th, 1988 country singer Roy Orbison and my dad both suffered massive heart attacks. The world lost Roy, my dad survived but lost 85% of his heart muscle. The two outcomes amazed me! My perception of the events and what I learned over the years, opened my eyes and changed my life.
Falling is hardly a great experience. Unlike most adults, I recall taking many a “dives” to the concrete and laughing about it! Kids on the other hand! Try and stop them from laughing if they see you fall.
Back in The Day. The holiday season was always the best! Getting together with my grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles and of course my parents, brings back memories, music and emotions of some of the happiest times of my life.This holiday season. I want to share a special Thanksgiving with you. Thanksgiving day 1974.
Through out a good part of my adult life. I've been feeling a certain kind of way. I never truly understood it, but While doing yoga. A "deep dark" feeling hit me in my body, right into my heart. So deep, and so painful. It scared me! I have to share this with you.
Fishing was a staple in the Knight family from as early on as I can remember. Eating the fresh catch of the day while playing at the kitchen table was simple childhood fun until the unthinkable happened. Of course, it just had to happen to me!
Every kid dream back in the day was to get a 10-speed bike. I was no different! But how was I suppose to know my bike would land me in the hospital and on my butt!
“Life happens,” sometimes we like it, other times, not so much! I never knew taking the Q77 bus to high school each morning would have me dreaming of “that girl!”
Anxiety disorder is tuff! I continue to deal with it everyday. Making the decision to heal from it altered everything and has taught me much. I've learned about me as a person, my personality and character. I've learned about my past, how to live in present day and how I want to live my future. I think the two biggest lessons I've learned have been. One, how to heal myself and two, anxiety disorder is the road to happiness!
Let’s talk about Aretha Franklin, not about her phenomenal voice, but about how her life and spirit touched everyday people. Aretha as a human being, not only an iconic legend.
When my mom introduced my siblings and me to split pea soup back in the early 1970’s. I never imagined it becoming my life-saving food over forty years later!
There are times when our plans simple fail. It’s happened to me off and on throughout my life. One Christmas morning in the early 1970’s. I came up with a brilliant plan. I found out in a very painful way just how flawed it was, sometimes sticking to the plan isn’t a good “plan!”
Elementary school years tend to bring up fun memories. I found it to be one of the best times of my life. As I move towards my senior years. I pull my early childhood school days closer and closer to me.
In doing so. I discovered how an event during that period. Helps me seek to learn much more in present day and to teach whatever I've learned along the way. Of course. Once again. Music was in the background.
There are times when life drives you nuts! It happens to us all. When I've had my fill of present day. I have to get away!
I want to share with you what I do when life gets to heavy.
When I look back on my childhood. There are so many events that come to mind. My grandmother and her crazy antics. Memories of running from my dad at "top speed" because I was about to get a spanking of a lifetime.
Then there's that one event that beats them all! My brother Marc and I were always doing things we had no business doing. You know, like that big bag of fireworks my dad brought home one year. We decided to celebrate the fourth of July a month early. The idea I came up with was dumb! I even involved "Silver." The family dog! That dog was a big enough problem on his own. He did not need me involving him in my craziness.
Life, it throws everything imaginable at you. Our entire emotional system is triggered by every event in our life. Good, bad, joyful or tragic it does not matter. The average person has one event in their life that brings out their deepest pain. I've learned. It's how we handle these painful events that shape our lives. I'm fortunate. I've had several painful events! Grab your Kleenex. The story I'm going to tell you. Is about the first worst day of my life.
In 1972. "I can see clearly now" by Johnny Nash spoke to me. Being so young. I did not understand the lyrical meaning of the song.
Thirty years later. After "allowing" life to take me down a painful path for over a decade. "I can see clearly now" came on the radio while driving. The emotional effect it had was so overwhelming. I pulled over just to cry! Tears of joy.
Words have meaning. They create. Words are powerful. I learned a lesson back in the day, when a childhood friend gave me a compliment. Her words made me feel I could do anything.
It was later on the following year that a family members words and truth changed that direction. I allowed those words to effect my life for most of my professional career.
Storytelling is something we all do. We tell our story. It tells people who we are, where we've come from and how we've arrived at present day. Your story creates your life. Often it's filled with joy and pain. It can keep you stuck in the past, or motivate you to move forward. Our stories live in the music that artists create.
The stories in their music parallel the stories in our lives. It's what connects our heart and soul to song. Master story teller's.
I got my first "real" bass guitar in 1977. Up until that time. For an entire year. I had been playing the four bass strings on my sisters acoustic guitar.
At the same time. A new funk band who called themselves "Slave," released a song called "Slide." That song became my bass playing anthem! I drove my family crazy plying that song. And how I learned about Slave and the song was even crazier!
Listen up! I get to play a little bass for you.
This episode. I introduce you to Nana. My grandmother, my dad’s mom. “Nana” stories are never ending! Along with my parents. Nana was a major influence in my life. A few months ago. My brother and I were talking. Often he and I talk about our childhood. It’s impossible to discuss those days and not have Nana come up.
During one of our recent conversations. We confirmed that one day when we were very young. Nana did something that shocked my brother’s, sister and I. I had to tell this story in the show!
There are moments in life that we experience as being bad and painful. During those times. We're conflicted, can we smile, laugh or do anything that might suggest having fun during those "bad" moments. And what will others think?
Pam Griffin's story tells how she learned from her mom that there's no shame at all.
Like most young men. Their first car is their pride and joy. I was no exception! But I quickly realized. Owning this car was a disaster. One sentence from my grandfather about the car summed it all up and taught me a lesson which I continue to benefit from to this very day. When I hear the song "Africa" by the band Toto. It reminds me of my car and the year-long nightmare it was!
During the courtship between my sister Kristina and her husband Rob. He identified a song that she loved and used it to put a smile on her face, as well as establishing what has become a very close and loving relationship.
There were not many songs that I did not like back in the day. This one was an exception! It hit me in an odd way back in 1980. I was like YUK! Who likes this?
One morning getting ready for school. My little sister and I got blasted by my mom because of this song!
What happens when the Good Humor truck comes down your block and he's not there to sell the kids ice cream?
It ends up being a "Little Rascals" story!
1977 was one of the best years in music, great song after great song kept playing over the airways.
1977 was one of my favorite years! It was the year my grandparents bought me my first bass guitar!
In this episode of Back in The Dave. We go back to 1977. Hang on it was a crazy year. Remember?