Harley Dave profile picture

Harley Dave

Harley Dave - Telecaster twanger - Fender bass thumper

About Me

I used to be a biker who played Telecasters. I somehow morphed into a picker who rides Harleys. I have to visit Austin as often as I can to make sure my soul is OK, 'cos that's where it floats back to if I'm not watching it...My wife, Maria, is dancer. I'm not (which is why I play guitar), except in Texas of course...ANYONE can two-step at the Brokem Spoke.Got a little boy...JJ. Jackson...he was born just after June Cash passed away..hence the name. The other "J" is for John. Go figure. He has an elder sister, Charlie, who I'd be proud to be father to..except she already has one ..so I hope I'm an excellent friend to, instead.I co-founded Too Damn Country with Gareth Rowan - We are the UK's only Texas tried 'n' tested honkytonk band, as far as I know. Certainly don't know of others that have played Ginnys, the 'Spoke, Jovita's (courtesy of Cornell!) and stuff like that. We're Acoustic, Tele, Pedal Steel, Stand-up and E. Bass & Drums. We have opened for Bill Kirchen (at SXSW), BR549, Dale Watson, Billy Yates, Moot Davis, Slaid Cleaves, Alison Moorer and other US artists.On the UK and European Country Music circuits, I play for Frank Raydell and his Doggone Country Band. The same instrumental line-up as Too Damn Country, but a slightly diferent take. Less 4/4 shuffles and more shit kickin', really. ..And I play for Kay'D in her Redneck Rodeo...Mixture of Trad Country up to "Nashville Blonde" stuff.I love playing bass, as well as guitar, so I have a slab P-Bass and an old Ampeg combo..just in case the chance arises.I've also run live sound for visiting US bands and artists..like Chip Taylor, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Tom Russell, Stacey Earle, Slaid Cleaves, BR549, Gretchen Peters..long list available for the nosey..but if you want good live Americana sound, I might be your man. Check out the full list on my other myspace - it's in my "friends".Oh yeah - the Harley is an ol' 74" shovel - a stripped down 'glide, for those interested, plus I run a Sporty..an 883R......and my main Tele is a standard '70's with Lindy Fralin blues pick-ups, going through what was a Fender Deluxe Reverb until Mikey Mann got hold of it and made it pretty special. That's about it...just wished I rode a bit more and played a lot better!

My Interests

Well....Motorcycles. American 3 chord music. Trying to live right (as I see it, anyway). People I meet, too. My main personal activity is playing twangy guitar for whoever wants me to... I'm always happy to jam or dep on guitar or bass, plus I'm available for live sound gigs..your rig or mine.

I'd like to meet:

If the "about me" clicks with you, it's good to talk. Primarily, I'm keen to meet folks that love contemporary honky-tonk, and think there ISN'T any over here in the UK. There is, my friend! (But it's hard getting gigs!!!) Even if you don't have a clue what I'm talking about here, but give a damn enough to want to find out.. Bike-wise, I have a riding crew (on the rare occassions I get to ride) but always happy to talk Harleys..or any push rod bikes...the others are over my head!

Music:

Generally, for some reason, I love Texas music, and all it embraces. I'm a sucker for train and truckin' songs (including Teddy Bear - don't care if you smirk). People I dig include Bill Kirchen, Cornell Hurd, James Hand, Reddbilly (miss 'em!), Dale Watson, Hank III, Roger Wallace, Lisa and her Kin, Bill Kirchen (in case you missed him first time round), that spread of current stuff. Do I have to mention Hank, Lefty, Ernest and all those guys? Waylon, Johnny Cash, Merle..oh yeah..Buck Owens..again..a spread of stuff, but I hope you get what I'm saying there.

Movies:

Don't do movies

Television:

Don't do TV

Books:

I like what Dan Milman is saying. A lot of books out there tell you what you already intuitively know, don't they?

Heroes:

Those musical influences I listed...but also you get to hear of heroes nearly every day if you listen out for it. People who stand up, resist the flow, and DO something against the odds that changes their/another's life (or lives) for the better. One has just passed on. Danny Roy Young. A very special human being.