“They call it Americana — a blend of rock, folk, blues, country ... you name it. Whatever you call it, it’s all original — and it’s the best I can do.”

Radford, Virginia-based performing songwriter David Simpkins has been actively entertaining audiences for over 35 years — starting with 22 years in cover bands. Since 2000, David has been focusing on writing and performing his own songs. He plays regular solo acoustic gigs, and has performed at numerous songwriters-in-the-round events, festivals, benefits, celebrations, songwriters’ nights, and open mics.

His music has been played locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally on a number of commercial, public, and internet radio stations.

DAVID’S UPCOMING GIGS

(All performances solo unless otherwise indicated.)

Saturday, December 5

Winterfest, Floyd, Virginia. 2 p.m. With Kathy Acosta and Britt Mistele (and maybe Bob Grubel)

Saturday, December 12

SVSA Christmas Party, Roanoke Virginia (members & guests only)

Friday, December 18

Featured performer, Third Street Coffeehouse, Roanoke, Virginia, 7-10 p.m. With the KGB: Kathy Acosta, Greg Trafidlo, and Britt Mistele

Americana Victrola

Here's what's been in my ears lately:

  • David Bowie (with Stevie Ray Vaughn): "Let's Dance"
  • Chris Thomas King: "The Legend Of Tommy Johnson: Act I"
  • Peter Himmelman: "Love Thinketh No Evil"
  • Peter Himmelman: "From Strength To Strength"
  • Peter Himmelman: "Stage Diving"
  • Peter Himmelman: "The Musings Of Someone"
  • Peter Himmelman: "This Father's Day"
  • Peter Himmelman: "Gematria"
  • Bruce Springsteen: "The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle"
  • Eric Clapton: "From The Cradle"
  • various artists: "Billie, Ella, Lena, Sarah!"
  • Robert Cray Band: "Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark"
  • Golden Smog: "On Golden Smog" (EP)
  • Greg Trafidlo: "Carved In Stone"
  • various artists: "Signature Sounds: 15th Anniversary Sampler"
  • Eilen Jewell: "Sea Of Tears"
  • Lou Reed: "New Sensations"
  • The Brian Setzer Orchestra: "The Dirty Boogie"
  • Cassandra Wilson: "New Moon Daughter"
  • various artists: "Casey Kasem Presents: Motown's Greatest Hits"
  • various artists: "The Sullivan Years: The Mod Sound"
  • Jackie DeShannon: "The Definitive Collection"
  • The King Sisters: "Spotlight On The Great Ladies Of Song"
  • Clyde McPhatter: "Deep Sea Ball: The Best Of Clyde McPhatter"
  • Daddy: "At The Women's Club"
  • The Andrews Sisters: "Capitol Collectors Series"
  • Frank Black & the Catholics: "Pistolero"
  • Irma Thomas: "The Soul Queen Of New Orleans"
  • Dean Martin: "The Dean Martin Collection, Volume One"

 

“Long Story Short”

"Long Story Short" is David's first solo recording. The project pulled together a stellar collection of southwest Virginia's finest musicians, including Scott Fore, 2002 National Flatpicking Guitar Champion, and Alan Weinstein, cellist of the internationally-acclaimed chamber group the Kandinsky Trio.

• See the lyrics to the songs on "Long Story Short."

• Go to David's CDBaby page, where you can listen to, download, purchase, and/or review "Long Story Short."

the meadow creek gazette

David’s FREE twice-monthly e-mail newsletter, the Meadow Creek Gazette, is a popular, entertaining, and informative look at his gigs, his philosophies, his pet peeves, and the world of music (and anything else that strikes his fancy) in general. To start receiving the MCG, just e-mail amosflame@aol.com and write "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Or you can read the current issue of the Meadow Creek Gazette online.

A sampling from the current Meadow Creek Gazette:

'BAA!' I SAY! Count me in as one of the sheep. I ventured out on Nov 27 -- "Black Friday" -- lured by the promise of a couple of great sales at Lowe's in Christiansburg VA. I got up at 5:30 a.m., made it to Lowe's by 6:10 a.m. and snagged my bargains. I'm now the proud owner of a brand-new Shop Vac (with the special mini-vacuum attachments) and, best of all, a Skil 10" Table Saw with Support Stand. It's going to take everything I've got not to saw up every piece of wood in the house! (And I saved a total of over $100 on both items!) ...

RIGHT SPOT, RIGHT TIME - After I got home from my "Black Friday" adventure, I stopped on the way in to say good morning to Max the Wonder Dog. He was up and frisky and looked like he needed a little attention. (Which is how he is all the time.) I roughed him up a bit, patted him on the head one final time, and walked toward the house. Suddenly, to my intense surprise, Max, trailing a five-foot section of his leash, walked past me and took a whiz on the boxwood by the front porch. I immediately stepped on the end of the broken leash and grabbed it up. Max, of course, thought we were going for a walk so he started tugging as always. I had no choice but to walk him into the house. Luckily, Kathy was up (so were all of our guests) and was able to go to WalMart and buy a replacement leash. In the meantime, I took Max for an unplanned walk. ...

SMELL THAT FRESH AIR - Virginia's long-awaited ban of cigarette smoking in public restaurants has recently kicked in. Nicotine-addicted junkies are gnashing their teeth and nervously smoking even MORE cigarettes in response. Y'all already know that I'm in favor of this legislation. Anything that gets poisonous, chemical-laced smoke out of the air -- out of MY air -- is okay with me. Needless to say, it's gonna take me a while to join the crowd who wants to restore America to its former glory...

Go to the complete current issue of the Meadow Creek Gazette

 

booking information

David Simpkins is available for clubs, festivals, house concerts, benefits, private parties — anywhere anyone might want to listen to a guy play an acoustic guitar and sing mostly original Americana music. David will be happy to perform as an opener, for multi-act bills, or for full-length four-hour solo shows. Have P.A.; will travel.

David Simpkins, 125 Polk Street, Radford VA 24141

Home phone: (540) 633-1204   Home e-mail

Work phone: (540) 231-3502   Work e-mail

biography and musical influences

David traces his musical talents back to his paternal grandfather, Hamilton Simpkins, who fronted a Bedford, Virginia string music quartet known in the late 1920s. Playing rhythm guitar in that band was eight-year-old Troy Simpkins — Ham’s son, David’s father. David was also eight years old when he got his first guitar ... Read more of David’s biography and find out more about his musical influences.

press and reviews

“David Simpkins’ Long Story Short is pure Americana, but reminiscent of Canada’s Neil Young and groups like Poco and Crazy Horse. Don’t let this sway you too much, though — Simpkins is able to blend Americana, country, folk, and even a bit of bayou blues into his songs ...” Read more reviews of ‘Long Story Short’ and other press mentions.

nightmare gigs

Over the past several hundred years (or maybe only the past thirty or so) in bands, David has played some great gigs ... and he’s played some real dogs. Want to know how bad it can get? Check out the “Nightmare Gigs” page.

links of interest

A collection of links to sites about music, songwriting, and more. Check out the “Links” page.

some fine print

The definition of Americana music used in the image at the top left of this page is from the Americanamusic.org website.