Interview with Musician D.B. Patterson

I’m very pleased to introduce you guys to D.B. Patterson. D.B. just released his first album and was kind enough to  stop in for a spell.

D.B. when did your love for music develop?

My love for music started at a young age.  I enjoyed elementary school music class.  I took violin lessons and stuck with that until the 7th grade.  I think though that classical music, as beautiful as it is, was not really my cup of tea.  I have always liked songs, especially songs with memorable lyrics.  Lyrics that tell a story, lyrics that are poetic, or ones that evoke vivid imagery.   I started to get into rock music in junior high school, not playing anything, just listening.  My parents liked country music, Hank Williams, Nat King Cole, Marty Robbins, and I think they listened to Bing Crosby and that genre of music.  My sister liked The Beatles, Roberta Flack, Joni Mitchell, Harry Chapin, Simon and Garfunkel, and John Denver.  I think the first albums I bought were ones by the Eagles, Elton John, Boston, and Led Zeppelin.  When I was eighteen, I joined the Air Force, and it was there that I was exposed to lots of new music and was really hooked.  I loved just about all Rock and Roll, including lots of new wave bands because I thought "wow, this doesn't sound commercial and smooth, these bands have the guts to break out of the mold."  I bought my first guitar at that time and taught myself to play.  During this time I also started listening to jazz and blues.  In college I took a mini-course on the blues harmonica and that helped me secure a spot as lead vocalist and harp player in my first band, The Dharma Bums.  I am the one who came up with the band's name, it is the title of a book that was written by Jack Kerouac. 

I think writing a song is like writing a really short book, every one tells a story. Where do your song ideas come from?

My song ideas come from lyrical hooks usually. I almost always start with the lyrics before I start trying to write the music. Sometimes I also decide I'd like to write a topical song or song that tells a story.

What inspired you to create a CD?

My inspiration to make my CD, Walking in the Morning Rain, was the need to have something tangible to promote myself as a musician.  It also gave me a goal to work towards and the opportunity to work with another musician, Donny C. Hammonds, and to share ideas regarding composition. Donny is very talented and he contributed lead guitar, bass, mandolin, back-up vocals, and percussion. It was recorded at Donny's studio, The Afterdark Studio. His facebook page for the studio is www.facebook.com/theafterdarkstudio.

Do you have any upcoming Gigs?

I don't have any immediate gigs lined up, but I am sure I will be playing in the Cartersville area with the Cartersville Songwriters Exchange in the near future. I owe a lot to my friends Randy and Patricia Owens, who really help promote local musicians and who organize so many fun events.

Where can we get a copy?

You can buy my music online at www.Reverbnation.com/davidpatterson. I also sell Walking in the Morning Rain whenever I play out at a gig. $5 for ten songs, a pretty decent bargain!  You can also email me for more information about buying the CD if you'd like that instead of the digital files.






For more info visit: D.B.'s Facebook Fan Page
Or send him an email: db.patterson@gmail.com