Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brad Davis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brad, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Born and raised in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. Brad Davis has had a successful career as a 21 year of sideman in Nashville and LA, award wining musician entertainer singer/songwriter Brad Davis been on a steady rise ever since the current articles from Guitar World Magazine 2022 and 2023. Guitar World Mag named Brad Davis one of the greatest TX guitarist of all time and the #1 acoustic bluegrass artist to listen to – article Links: https://www.guitarworld.com/features/the-greatest-texas-guitarists-of-all-time, https://www.guitarworld.com/features/6-bluegrass-guitarists-you-need-to-hear. Brad’s new live single (ala Dixie Dreggs) release of Led Zepplin’s hit “Rock and Roll” will release Jan 25th on all major online outlets. He and Ethridge Hill (former sound guru for Eric Johnson) have been in studio working on perfecting the new solo and trio sound. Brad has inlisted the expertise Craig Langford on bass and vocals – former basist/vocalist for Trisha Yearwood and Stephen Ritter on drums – current purcussionist/vocalist for Stan Lynch.
Recent performances: Dosey Doe Woodlands, TX Nov 30, McKinney Performing arts center Nov 11, Texas Country Reporter Festival Waxahachie, TX Oct 28, Cork & Brew (East Texas), BlackBird studios (Nashville), Balcones Woods Lawn Austin, Tx Feb 19, Texas Music Revolution Festival, McKinney, TX Jun 4, Bluegrass on Ballard Festival, Wylie TX Jul 25, Summer Grass Festival, Sandiego, CA Aug 18-20, Cocktail Creamery, McKinney, TX Nov 25, Texan Theater, Greenville, TX Oct 22, Blooming Bluegrass Festival, Farmersville, TX Oct 14, Bois d’Arc Bash celebration festival, East Texas Sep 23.
Brad Davis past Touring Highlights:
Brad opened as a solo for Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters. He has played guitar for five years with Warner Bros recording artist The Forester Sisters, elevan years with MCA Marty Stuart, two years with Sugar Hill recording artist Sweet Hearts of the Rodeo, six years with Columbia recording artist Earl Scruggs, three years with Sugar Hill recording artist Sam Bush, veteran member for the band The Boxmasters.
Brad Davis past Recording Highlights:
Most of Brad’s past solo material has been acoustic with the Official Bluegrass Valley Record Release Brad Davis “A Bluegrass Tribute to George Jones,”
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bluegrass-tribute-to-george/id771420886
2013 was the year that marked a purposeful return to Brad’s first love, acoustic music. Brad launched ‘Walk On Faith’, a critically acclaimed Bluegrass Gospel project the drew attention from the Bluegrass and Gospel music genres. Here are some of the 2013 highlights:
Official Bluegrass Music Video Release of “Never Give The Devil A Ride” Concept Video: http://youtu.be/kZxVYy30Fhs
Video Released to Social Media Garnering National Press Coverage:
http://www.prescriptionbluegrassblog.com/2013/10/bluegrass-gospel-hit-now-video.html
“Never Give The Devil A Ride” Video Will Made-It’s National Television Debut Saturday, Oct 26th, 2013, on Nashville Country Revival, a popular music-oriented show airing on national networks such as Daystar, The Nashville Network, and others. It has been aired many times since:
www.nashvillecountryrevival.com
‘Walk On Faith’ Album released on Airplay Direct: www.airplaydirect.com/walkonfaith
(Note: ‘Walk On Faith’ was in the Top 50 ADP Global Radio Chart for October 2013 among ALL genres)
Reviews of gospel record ‘Walk On Faith’:
http://digitaljournal.com/article/356744
http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/brad-davis-walk-faith
Radio Success: Singles From the album, ”Road To Emmaus” and ”Never Give The Devil A Ride”, Charted Across Multiple Genres of Music with nationwide #2 airplay from XM Radio, Salem Music Networks and including The Legendary 650 WSM, Home of the Grand Ole Opry.
Promotional and appearance Notes: Brad’s Promotional Tour of the Album saw him appear for performance and interviews on such national platforms at TBN’s primetime Praise The Lord program hosted by Jason Crabb (3rd largest television network in the world) and Front Porch Fellowship, a nationally syndicated radio show in over 200 markets, hosted by Les Butler.
Brad Davis In 2014:
Brad is poised to have a BREAKOUT Bluegrass Year in 2014. His new grass project, ‘A Bluegrass Tribute To George Jones’ is already garnering industry and fan attention a like. Brad is currently scheduling tour dates for 2014 in support of his new album. To schedule Brad for an appearance contact: braddavismusic@mac.com
Brad Davis In 2015:
Relocating to Dallas, TX for family illness, Brad replicated Slash’s studio “The Cave” in Holly Wood and began building a successful recording business in Texas.
Brad Davis In 2016, 2017, 2018:
Brad signed a deal with Maggie Warwick, owner of independent label Louisiana Hayride Records located in Shreveport, LA. Brad began releasing digital singles online throughout 2016 – 2018 and performing locally while touring with John Jorgensen’s Django band and bluegrass band J2B2.
Brad Davis In 2019:
Brad signed a deal with Alvarez Guitar company for the “bd” Shredder model signature acoustic guitar. His current single is “Every Shade.” Maggie Warwick, owner of label Louisiana Hayride Records located in Shreveport, LA. Brad began releasing singles online throughout 2016 – 2018 and performing locally while touring with John Jorgensen’s Django band and bluegrass band J2B2.
Brad Davis In 2020:
Wrote, recorded and toured a new record with Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters.
Brad Davis In 2023:
Tracked guitar and writing for the new Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmaster record.
Signed artist deal with Charm Life Picks and Corondelet guitar pickups.
Writer credits:
As a songwriter, his songs have been recorded by artists like Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Terry Baucom & The Dukes of Drive, Night Flyer, Tim McGraw, Jo-El Sonnier, Tony Trischka, Billy Bob Thornton, Tommy Shaw, and many others.
Reviews:
Review: Brad Davis shines on new bluegrass-gospel album ‘Walk on Faith – Markos Papadatos
Brad Davis’ new CD “Walk on Faith” is extremely well-done. He possesses one of the finest male voices in the bluegrass and gospel genres of music since Dan Tyminski. This nine-track collection is a real treat.
Review by William Ruhlmann – AllMusic.com
It seems fair to say that for every country star crooning under his cowboy hat in the spotlight, there are several pickers standing just behind him in the shadows thinking to themselves, “I can play rings around this guy. I can sing, I can write, and I’m not bad-looking. Why am I here on salary while he’s out there getting the big bucks?” There’s no way of knowing whether Brad Davis has ever mused in this way to himself as he’s played guitar behind Marty Stuart, Earl Scruggs, Billy Bob Thornton, the Sweethearts of the Rodeo, and the Forester Sisters, and recorded with them, as well as Sheryl Crow, Warren Zevon, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and Pam Tillis. But if he did, there would be some justice in his attitude. On This World Ain’t No Child, his second FGM Record release, Davis writes or co-writes all 12 songs, sings in an engaging, if not overwhelmingly distinctive, tenor, and, of course, picks a superior acoustic guitar as well as his own self-designed Brad Bender, accompanied by such buddies and bandmates as Thornton (who sings dead on grass vocals on “Shadows”), Sam Bush, John Jorgenson, Béla Fleck, and Tommy Shaw of Styx. Especially on the album’s first several tracks, the players turn in some terrific bluegrass-style work, but the quality of the performing extends throughout the disc.
SOME NOTED QUOTES FROM SUPER FAMOUS PEOPLE:
Steve Lukather – Toto has something to say about Brad Davis’s guitar chops:
“I was walking thru a NAMM show and I heard this amazing guitar playing..it was Brad. I stopped in my tracks and watched and listened to someone who OWNED the instrument. Flawless chops, a gorgeous touch, and a lot of heart. Check him out. A gem in a world of a million players.” – Steve Lukather, Singer/songwriter/guitarist/arranger, and producer (rock band Toto, Boz Scaggs)
Tea Leoni – Lead actress playing Madame Secretary on the television show “Madame Secretary.” “The Madame Secretary crew and I love your music. We play it everyday between takes on set.”
Tommy Shaw – SYTX has something to say about Brad Davis’s guitar chops:
“For Brad Davis, there is no such thing as half measures, unless it’s specifically written that way on a music chart. He plays the guitar with heart and soul the same way he writes and records his songs. His style is instantly recognizable and to top it off he’s a great hang, which means a lot when you’re riding a bus, sharing a stage, dressing room or recording studio control room.” – Tommy Shaw, Guitarist (Styx, Damn Yankees)
Earl Scruggs – has something to say about Brad Davis’s guitar chops:
“Brad Davis is a great guitar player, on both acoustic and electric. He has a unique style that I enjoy hearing.” – Earl Scruggs, legendary musician, and Grammy award-winner
Billy Bob Thornton – has something to say about Brad Davis’s guitar chops:
“Brad Davis is one of the most interesting original guitar players I have ever heard with his very own double-down-up shredder technique. The music he creates will no doubt mark history, he’s amazing!” – Billy Bob Thornton, lead singer for The Boxmasters, songwriter and session drummer, director, playwright, screenwriter, and actor.
Brad, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Learned guitar at the age of 5, Played bluegrass locally till 86, My back up ambition was to be a graphic artist. Attended UNT for art and jammed in the hallway that joined the art and jazz classes on break. Bought a small tape machine and began writing and recording. Started playing guitar on local sessions in DFW and then after a session got hired to play guitar and sing harmony for Rick Skaggs, That’s when the professional part of my travel started.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I was a hired gun on guitar for many artist from rock to country music and that’s a fine job, but I did not have the where with all to concentrate earlier on promoting my own music.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
There are many pivots to keep the food on the table. Know and understand that you do or do not have the potential to become a full time music professional. That statement can span a wide variety of skill sets from guitarist, vocalist, engineer, promoter, manager, back line crew.
My advice is to stay focused. I was worried about paying the bills and took jobs that side tracked me while continuing to work as a music professional.
I worked in construction in a variety of focused areas.
I earned my bachelors in audio production at Berklee College of music and my masters in Lyrical Analysis at A&M and because an adjunct professor to have a future back up job.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.braddavismusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braddavisgtr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braddavisgtr/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/braddavismusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/braddavismusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvM-1J83wGw
- Other: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15523572-brad-davis-gtr? https://open.spotify.com/artist/28yx4Aq8882xd1AivwMZ
Image Credits
Rashelle Davis, Mandy Fiock 2nd pic