Born and raised in Avon Ohio, Dave started out, thanks to his jazz trombonist brother, on the trombone at age 9. He soon discovered the bass by 7th grade and began performing in stage band. While attending Avon High School, Dave was awarded the Louise Armstrong jazz award for his work on the bass, the only underclassman to ever receive this award. At this time Dave began studying and performing with CSU music director Dr. Richard Holsworth. Dave was selected by audition to the Northeastern Ohio All star Jazz Band, where he studied with Duke Ellington Bassist and YSU music director Tony Leonardi.
Dave hit the road for a few years, performing in retro-dance bands, in almost every state east of the Mississippi, he opened for such acts as Blue Oyster Cult, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Mark Farner, The Fix & Creed, he also shared the stage for a few nights with Tommy James, of Mony Mony fame. After that, Dave worked on original music with Frank Romano and then Paul Vician. Moving to California, Dave landed a house gig performing for a year with, Melissa Etheridge guitarist / solo artist, Philip Sayce.
