Welcome to Dave's wee web site.  

Hailing from the village of Wanlockhead in Dumfries and Galloway Dave can occasionally be seen zipping up and down the M74/M6 (always within the speed limit of course) spreading the word to anyone who cares to listen.  

Dave who? you may well ask.........Well  -  armed with a style of guitar playing that is best described as being as distinctive as it is effective, a voice that can carry traditional and contemporary songs and a songwriting ability that produces songs ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous he has now pretty much established himself as a regular performer throughout the acoustic/folk club, festival and concert scene.

Having realised that he was never going to be the new Tony Iommi (of Black Sabbath fame) Dave drew his early inspiration as a guitarist from such 'heroes' as Paul Simon, Tom Paxton, Richard Thompson, Bert Jansch anyone else who plays acoustic guitar and continues to pick up influences from more contemporary players.

 His playing has evolved into a sound and style that is all his own. Bluesy, folky, jazzy or straightforward headdownandbuggerthesubtlety fingerpicking styles are all in evidence. 

And as for the songs......Lyrically Dave's songwriting is rooted firmly in the traditions and history of Scotland and its people. Musically he draws on both traditional and contemporary sources, especially the finger picking styles of the heroes (see above). 

The not too serious songs reflect his somewhat cynical view of the world and its inhabitants. As a result his songs have titles as diverse as 'The Leaving' (about the highland clearances) and 'Mentally Degoolified' (about the neutering of his cat) and subjects that range from the death of John the Baptist (Caravaggio's eyes) to what life must have been like as a chamber pot emptier living on the Yangtze River (Better Life Next Time).

He is serious about the music but likes a giggle. 

 Meantime here's a couple of songs to be going on with......one written by Dave and one by a certain Mr. Burns.              Click to hear some songs.