Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David J. Hamilton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
David J. , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I have been taking risk long before I recognized it for myself. As a kid, I was big Michael Jackson fan. And I loved to dance and sing whenever and wherever. I wore my heart on my sleeve. Like most kids, I had no idea if what I was doing was cool or popular, just that I WANTED to do it. Then the laughs came and I quickly learned it was risky to show your true self around everyone. But somehow, my hear didn’t get the message to stop taking that risk. “Do what you want to do, David” egged on the voice in my head. By high school, unintentionally, I found myself in chorus, musical theater and the riskiest move for a Black boy from a family of street soldiers, in small town…I started taking dance classes. And I’m not talking about the acceptable hip-hop ones. While my peers and cousins where starting to play high school sports, I was studying ballet, modern, jazz, acrobatics, and even tap. Talk about being on an island. The support was near invisible. But it felt good. I graced the biggest stage of my hometown and state. The risk didn’t stop there. I postponed some scholarship opportunities and decided to join the US Army. After a decorated tour of duty in Iraq, I moved to the big apple, NYC. Found my way in music and entertainment. Probably the biggest risk, the risk that even surprised me, was leaving a well-paying, salaried job for my current pursuit: Comedian/Actor Dave.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
When people ask me what do I do, I immediately think: “everything.” But you can’t tell people that. Most people need to understand you in a nice, little, neat box. I quietly think of myself as modern-day Renaissance man. Give me a prompt: fix the tire, produce the move, host – and I’ll get it done. And I got this way, and more specifically, got into entertainment, by simply following my heart and being a sponge. I never liked doing what everyone else was doing-just for the sake of it. Jobs, church, relationships – I would examine, challenge, explore ways to have those things, but on my terms. At times, I do wish I had more formal training or more confirming support, but the longer I live (I’m saying that from now on instead of saying the older I get) I love how things are unfolding. I have been grateful for the opportunities that have allowed me to consider myself a writer, a producer (live programs, film, etc), actor and stand-up comedian.
I most proud of the the works I created during the pandemic period. Despite the ending of a long-term relationship and the isolation, I was able to self-produce my first two comedy albums. The first, “Dave’s Cave Comedy Presents: The Beginning of the End” is a live recording of stand-up performed in front a real live audience (during a show I produced in my home called Dave’s Cave Comedy). It made it #11 on the iTunes comedy charts. During this time I was also able to create a music-video-like visual to accompany the album. Then just as things were returning to normal, I took the audio from a live stand-up performance at a well-know New York comedy club and combined it with a live band of musicians to create my comedy/music hybrid album, “Diet Love: The End is the Begging.” I am specially proud of these 3 bodies of work because they are not only the output of creativity, but they served as my medicine. To this day, I listen to Diet Love, from beginning to end, to remind myself that I am allowed to mourn and accept the loss of things, to find those people that “f*@$! with you,” and that it is ok to let go and start over…and over. (I’m not a Dr., but I would recommend listening to Diet Love for some healing.)
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Allow room for failure. Nothing makes me cringe more than to see a headline saying a something flopped or someone is washed because it wasn’t overwhelmingly accepted and praised. We grow and learn from failure. If we avoid it, we churn out more of the same “proven” works. In addition to giving grace for failure, give praise for effort. Can you imagine the amount of time, heart, and soul it takes for ANYONE to try to give you ANYTHING? So, whether I think it is the greatest work of all time or not, I try to clap and celebrate the actual effort to get on stage, to publish, to go to market…to dream out loud.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I have been blessed to have some folks that have shown up at the right time and suggested the right things for those times. I highly recommend “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coehlo. I reference it almost everyday. I could go on and on about this particular book, but I will simply say, it reminds you to embrace the journey. I have found “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron to be a helpful spiritual (not particularly religious) grounding in pursing you creative journey. I love the words and mind of Mr. James Baldwin (read as much as you can and watch his debates). And most recently, “Decoded” by the one and only, Jay-Z. To be granted access into the mind of a modern day Shakespeare-meets-Gil Scott-Hering, in his own words, talking like its just you and me, has been a gift. And I would be totally out of line if left out all of the works of Kanye “Ye” “Yeezy” “Yeezus” West. The orchestral arrangements, the conversation on and off the track, and simply the audacity is beyond inspiring. (cues the song “Power”)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.davidjhamilton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imjustdave/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@THEDAVIDJHAMILTON
Image Credits
“Diet Love” album cover” Eli Edwards All other photos – courtesy of David J. Hamilton