David Nelson (musician)
| David Nelson | |
|---|---|
 David Nelson in 2006 |
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| Background information | |
| Born | June 12, 1943 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Origin | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Genres | Rock |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, mandolin, vocals |
| Years active | Early 1960s – present |
| Associated acts | New Riders of the Purple Sage, David Nelson Band |
| Website | nelsonband.com |
David Nelson (born June 12, 1943, in Seattle, Washington, U.S.) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter.[1] He is perhaps best known as a co-founder and long time member of the New Riders of the Purple Sage.[2]
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[edit] Musical career
Although he started his musical career playing folk and bluegrass music (most notably as a member of The Wildwood Boys with Jerry Garcia) Nelson is probably best known as one of the original members of psychedelic country rock band the New Riders of the Purple Sage[3]. After playing lead guitar with the New Riders from the late sixties until the early 1980s, Nelson left the band to pursue other musical opportunities which included a stint on Broadway as a member of the Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band and some time touring with Al Rapone and the Zydeco Express.
In the mid 1990s, Nelson formed his own group, the critically acclaimed David Nelson Band (aka DNB), whose original members included Bill Laymon (New Riders, Jefferson Starship, Harmony Grits, Gypsy Cowboy Band) on bass, Barry Sless (Cowboy Jazz, Phil Lesh and Friends, Kingfish) on lead and pedal steel guitar, Michael "Mookie" Siegel (Kingfish, Phil Lesh and Friends, Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue) on keyboards and accordion, and Arthur Steinhorn (Cowboy Jazz) on drums.[4] Later on, drumming duties were shared by Charlie Crane, Greg Anton (Zero) and Jimmy Sanchez (Flying Other Brothers). Currently working under the name David Nelson Band, the lineup now includes Pete Sears (original Jefferson Starship, Hot Tuna, Rod Stewart) on bass and keyboards and John Molo (Phil Lesh & Friends, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, John Fogerty) on drums.
Along with noted steel player Buddy Cage and guitarist Michael Falzarano, Nelson re-formed The New Riders of the Purple Sage in 2005. This band is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity, due not only to the veteran performers who front the band but because of the energy provided by drummer Johnny Markowski (Stir Fried) and Ronnie Penque (Ripple, Neon Gods) on bass.[5] The New Riders continue to turn down more bookings than they can accept and most of their shows are sold out ahead of time.
In addition to NRPS, Nelson still performs with his own group under the new banner, David Nelson & Friends as well as with The Papermill Creek Rounders, a bluegrass group he co-founded with his long time friend, Lowell "Banana" Levenger (formerly of The Youngbloods).
During the summer of 2006, Nelson was asked to contribute to an album of Grateful Dead songs being made in Nashville by Jesse McReynolds. While in Nashville for the recording sessions, Nelson appeared on the Grand Ol' Opry and played "Ripple," the first-ever Grateful Dead song to be performed on the Opry.
In addition to his work in his own bands, Nelson has performed as a guest artist on recordings by many other artists, including three Grateful Dead albums: Aoxomoxoa, Workingman's Dead, and American Beauty. He is well known as the lead singer on The New Riders of the Purple Sage's 1973 countercultural anthem, "Panama Red".
[edit] Discography
This is a partial discography of albums on which David Nelson appears.[6]
David Nelson Band:
- Limited Edition (1996)
- Keeper of the Key (1997)
- Visions Under the Moon (1999)
- High Adventure in Japan (1999)
New Riders of the Purple Sage:
- Main article: New Riders of the Purple Sage
With other artists:
- Aoxomoxoa – Grateful Dead (1969)
- Workingman's Dead – Grateful Dead (1970)
- American Beauty – Grateful Dead (1970)
- Slewfoot – David Rea (1973)
- Pistol Packin' Mama – The Good Old Boys (1976)
- Rock Columbia – Robert Hunter (1986)
- A Wing and a Prayer – Matt Kelly (1987)
- Almost Acoustic – Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band (1988)
- Zydeco to Go – Al Rapone (1990)
- Frank Wakefield and the Good Old Boys – Frank Wakefield and the Good Old Boys (1992)
- She's No Angel – Frank Wakefield and the Good Old Boys (1992)
- Dead Ringers – Dead Ringers (1993)
- Blue Morning – Toni Brown (1996)
- Dick's Picks Volume 8 – Grateful Dead (1997)
- Don't Stop the Music (Arrets Pas La Musique) – Allen Fontenot and the Country Cajuns (1997)
- Lunt-Fontanne, New York City, October 31, 1987 – Jerry Garcia Band and Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band (2004)
- Lunt-Fontanne, New York City, The Best of the Rest, October 15 – 30, 1987 – Jerry Garcia Band and Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band (2004)
- For Rex: The Black Tie Dye Ball – various artists (2006)
- Crossing the Line – Bill Cutler (2008)
- Road Trips Volume 3 Number 3 – Grateful Dead (2010)
- Ragged but Right – Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band (2010)
- Songs of the Grateful Dead – Jesse McReynolds (2010)
- The Wheel: A Musical Celebration of Jerry Garcia – various artists (2011)
[edit] References
- ^ Swihart, Stanton. David Nelson biography at Allmusic. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
- ^ "The History of NRPS", nrps.net. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
- ^ "Interview with David Nelson of the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Part 1", KBOO, May 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- ^ David Nelson interview, Digital Interviews, June 1999. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- ^ Eagleman, Chet Jr. (October 30, 2011). "Interview with David Nelson of the New Riders of the Purple Sage", Taste Makers Grand Rapids. Retrieved March 4, 2012.
- ^ David Nelson discography at the Grateful Dead Family Discography. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
[edit] External links
- David Nelson Band official website
- New Riders of the Purple Sage official website
- David Nelson Band collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
