“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, April 27

Earth Day Celebration
6-7 p.m.
Grandin Court, Roanoke VA

Saturday, May 22

Farmers Market, Radford VA

Saturday, June 19

Farmers Market, Radford VA

Saturday, July 17

Farmers Market, Radford VA

Saturday, August 21

Farmers Market, Radford VA

Saturday, September 18

Farmers Market, Radford VA

Saturday, October 16

Farmers Market, Radford VA

Americana Victrola

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

  • Rosanne Cash: "The List"
  • Van Morrison & The Chieftains: "Irish Heartbeat"
  • Mary Black: "The Best Of Mary Black" (2 CDs)
  • k.d. lang: "Hymns Of The 49th Parallel"
  • Dinah Washington: "The Definitive Dinah Washington"
  • Malcolm Holcombe: "A Hundred Lies"
  • Rickie Lee Jones: "Traffic From Paradise"
  • Louis Jordan: "Anthology: 1938-1953" (2 CDs)
  • The Beatles: "Anthology 1" (2 CDs)
  • Lucinda Williams: "Lucinda Williams" (with bonus tracks)
  • Iris DeMent: "My Life"
  • the Band: "Music From Big Pink"
  • Elmore James: "The Sky Is Crying: The History Of Elmore James"
  • Warren Zevon: "Anthology: I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" (2 CDs)
  • Stacey Earle: "Dancin' With Them That Brung Me"
  • Charlie Patton: "Founder Of The Delta Blues: 1929-1934"
  • Allison Moorer: "Crows"
  • Sally Barris: "Restless Soul"
  • Warren Zevon: "The Wind"
  • Muddy Waters: "Hard Again"
  • Manassas: "Pieces"
  • Paul Robeson: "The Power And The Glory"
  • Cowboy Junkies: "Black-Eyed Man"
  • Cab Calloway: "Are You Hep To The Jive?"
  • Leonard Cohen: "Ten New Songs"
  • Susan Boyle: "I Dreamed A Dream" (hey, it was USED ... )
  • various artists: "The New York Rock & Soul Revue"

 

“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:

BLURRY VISION - I finally got around to listening to Warren Zevon's last album, "The Wind." I've sort of been avoiding it since his untimely death in 2003 but when I found it recently in the used CD bin, I had to take the plunge. It didn't take me long to remember why I'd been giving it a wide berth. I had to pull into a parking lot last weekend when Zevon's version of Bob Dylan's "Knocking On Heaven's Door" came on the CD player in the Jeep. Nobody has ever had more of a right and a reason to sing that song. He recorded it when he'd already gotten notice that his days were numbered as he battled lung cancer at the end of his life. The entire CD is his farewell -- and it is as irreverent, eclectic, and poignant as all his music down through the years....

AMERICANA AT ITS BEST - ...I was struck about halfway through the show that if anybody asked me what "Americana" meant, this was what I'd offer as a prime example. Alvin, though as professional an entertainer as you'd ever want, isn't in it for the money. He does what he does because, well, because that's what he DOES. Other than winning a Grammy in 2001 for best traditional folk album, he's never been a household name, he's never been a mega-seller as a bandmember or a solo artist, he's never written a hit record, he's never been a consistent SRO performer. But, if you're into Americana music -- if you're into GREAT music in general -- you know who he is. He's real, he's authentic, he's as much a music fan as a performer. He's the whole package.

A COOL MIL - A rare copy of 1938's Action Comics No. 1, the first comic book featuring Superman, recently sold for $1 million. Widely considered the Holy Grail of comic books, it originally cost 10 cents. ... I've also got a lot of old comics I bought used in the '80s when I got interested again. Guess I ought to see what I might get for them on eBay. ...

LOOKING BACK - I wouldn't be a policeman for anything. I don't know how they do it. People are crazy. Even those who mean no harm can create situations that require the careful intervention of authorities. ...

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.