Born in Canton, Ohio, Dave was brought into an already musical family with his Mother coming from the “swing-band” side of things as a vocalist and pianist, and an older Brother playing bass in the late 1960’s with local Canton acts. His family moved down to South Florida where his musical education would start. Having his older Brother and Sister as the gateway, the current top 40 music for the 1970’s decade would be a constant in the “Byrd” house. His mother would continue to play organ in various lounges in South Florida, giving him the mesmerizing audio exposure to the time of crooners, boogie and swing.

Having access to his Mothers giant Thomas two-tier, horse-shoe organ at home, would start his musical experimentation at age 8. He would eventually attempt the saxophone in high school, only to be discouraged for not having the ability to read music fast enough. However, picking up the sax riffs from songs of the 1950’s came easier by ear and brought much more satisfaction, but it was clearly frowned upon by the instructor.

Current music of the 80’s and MTV, ignited the desire to play guitar. As a late bloomer on the instrument, he got his first guitar at 16. At 17 he got the opportunity to play locally in a working paying band and by 18 had his first studio recording experience with that group, producing a single to play on a few northeast Ohio radio stations. But it was the movement of “Hard Rock” of the late 1980’s and early 90’s would prove to be the biggest education. Here he would learn the art of entertaining and business by being a part of the “Hair Band” era. Playing in a few South and Central Florida bands, he would learn the craft of how to be “visual” and to apply it in the form of entertainment as a band.

Being told by his parents that he was a “distraction” certainly didn’t hurt, so he decided to run with it. Always having a torrential passion for Blues, Swing and Soul, Dave eventually migrated back to NE Ohio in the late 90’s, where he opted for more on the “bluer” side of things. Here he would be in a number of bands performing and recording mostly in the genre of blues and embracing the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, Ronnie Earl, all and any West Coast Jump Blues styles.

Session work would become quite prevalent as well working with independent recording artists and producers such as Carly Fox, Devil Doll, Kat Criswell, Kevin DiSimone, Ron Feldman, Bruce Hensel, among others. Supporting as opening acts would include: The Outlaws, Foghat, Firehouse, Bulletboys, Steelheart, Pat Travers, Molly Hatchet, Kik Tracee, Kings X, Robert Lockwood Jr.

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