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Catching Up With Gaston County’s Musical Touchstone

October 10, 2013

David Childers

Gaston Alive! So what’s happening David, how are you?
David: I feel great. Life is really good right now. I would never have worried about being 62 years old if I had known how good it would be.

GA! Enjoyed you guys at The Mt. Holly At & Music Festival..
David: Mt. Holly Art & Music Festival was a big deal to me. This little town put on a fine festival that drew people from miles around. I hope to see more of that.
GA! Let’s go back-what are your earliest memories of music?
David: All my memories involve music. I was raised by women, white and black, who loved music and played it all the time. My dad liked opera. There were many influences banging around me from as far back as I can remember. Singing in church was my favorite part. I often think of the line, yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so; we are weak but he is strong. I’ve applied those words often in my life.

GA! What would it surprise your fans to know about you?
David: No idea. I don’t think about or worry about that. I grew up a social outcast in my home town, so I learned to quit caring what people thought about me long ago. Jesus loves me. My wife loves me and so do my kids. That’s all I need.

GA! Is it hard to change from your “attorney hat” to your “musician hat”?
David: No problem. God has given me many gifts. He has allowed me to have 2 demanding but rewarding professions. It all feels natural.

GA! Your lead guitar payer, Randy Saxon is sort of a local legend…
David: Randy is a fine man, and a great musician. I’ve played with some good ones but he is hands down my favorite guitar side man. He is very dedicated to what we are doing. We have grown up together in a sense.
GA! What do you want to be remembered for musically? In your opinion, what is your best work?
David: I have no idea of how I’ll be remembered musically, or even if I’ll be remembered. I let critics and historians deal with that. I just need to write new material, and try to put on the best kinds of performances I am capable of. I’m a member of a team, and I want to do my best for that team. It’s not just the band and me, but our booking agent, our publicity people, the record label. As Dolph Ramseur says, “Big team, little me.” I like that attitude.

GA! How does it feel to be the Elvis or Presiding Potentate of Gaston County music?
David: That’s pretty funny. I did not know I was so perceived. I don’t even think about that. Jem Crosland deserves to be regarded as the local Elvis more than I do. Have you heard that guy? He lays down that rockabilly and Elvis stuff as well as anybody. Elvis is fine, but I don’t cotton to potentates. I’m a democrat.

GA! Why be a musician-why music?
David: I just got lucky. God made it possible, and makes it possible every day. His will be done.
GA! What advice would you have for young musicians today?
David: Do it for the music. Forget all that fame and fortune crap. Do it for the music.
Gaston Alive! So what’s happening David, how are you?
David: I feel great. Life is really good right now. I would never have worried about being 62 years old if I had known how good it would be.

GA! Who are some of your favorite singer/song writers, or musicians overall?
David: It’s a bunch, too many to list. I don’t want to leave any out. Locally, Malcolm Holcombe is my favorite song writer.

GA! Love your paintings, sort of Grandma Moses…
David: My paintings? I just paint things that come into my head. It feels like they paint themselves. Like writing, it takes a long time. People can make of them what they will. I have no idea if they mean anything or not.