A Few Words from the Past and Present

I see my music as having no boundaries, no specific genre and demographic orientation. My Guitar playing honors no restrictions and constraints, no pulled punches, crossing into fields known and unknown.
My goal is to free my soul by ever expanding my musical horizons and inducing wave upon wave of liberating improvisation as well as connecting to my past influences. In short, unapologetic and seeking the honesty in myself to never stray from this quest.

I have been a professional/working musician since age 14 and am now well into my 50's and find myself striving harder than ever. Touring the globe 6 months out of the year, recording @ every opportunity, gigging locally when home, hosting seminars on the "Secrets of the 12 String Guitar" and "Career Options for Musicians", performing showcases for Hofner Guitars and Shadow Pickup Systems, Jamming endlessly, taking Guitar lessons and expanding into new instruments and music from all over the world kinda keeps me busy and fed.

I may have started out in the 60's as a Beat musician, garage band apostil, traversing through Soul Groups and Texas Blues Tributes but by the early 70's I was deep into Progressive Rock with Classical influences. Leaving Europe for the West Coast was the eye opener I needed to continue this Musical Journey into Country Classics, Show Tunes and Lounge cocktail stuff, when I discovered Bluegrass and Acoustic Based Americana.

Landing in Canada, I chose the 12 String Dreadnaught Guitar as my main Axe and proceeded to explore as many styles as possible being endlessly fascinated by how few limitations this instrument held for me. Needing a fret job within 3 months was my first clue that I had found my Muse and playing it in a most untraditional manner. Learning new material, doing scales and practicing every lick I’d ever heard gave me a ground up musical education and I slipped quietly out of apprenticeship and established myself as a Journeyman. I celebrated by doing a One Man Band Elvis Show.

Enter the 80's...playing locally in Seattle and the Northwest, raising a Family, writing new Music...all done in relative comfort and in the Idyllic Setting of the Foothills of the Cascade Mountains. This led to several Wax releases including the now mystically Legendary "Marie Antoinette", which can still be found in record cutout bins in finer Goodwill Stores all over the West Coast.

Europe began to call me back on a regular basis and I started playing in Pubs, then Halls and Town Squares till I found my way into the Festival Tour and Concert Series. Lots of Open Air stuff and great audiences. By the time the 90's rolled around I had become known as the "String Surfer", releasing new age, avant guard, Mediterranean style instrumental CD's for local labels and really taking the 12 String into a realm I think no one has ever reached or even endeavored to. I was at the top of my game and playing almost anything I could think of, ever expanding and striving for more new notes and wild progressions...

And then it hit me, the Death of my Son Thomas stopped me in my tracks and I had no where to go but inside myself. Every morning's realization of our loss closed the world outside and forced me to confront my own fate and future as never before. I was very fortunate for in playing music and singing I was able to achieve some release and respite from this constant pain and soon began on a new quest.

Lyrics suddenly became the new drive in my creativity and I drove myself into the printed word as I had previously delved into the 12 String Guitars. I wrote lyrics, journals, film scripts, travel logs and a personal diary to exorcise my demons. Soon I had written and recorded a somewhat alternative country Trilogy and formed the Dave Lee Howard Band in Germany to perform these songs resulting in Live Sessions and, hopefully reaching the Apex of my search for the truth and the Grail of my Songwriting skills culminating in "Last Picture Show".

Heavily supported by independent Radio and a great European Fan Base I finally found myself with a career. Three years ago I joined Hofner Guitars as an endorsee, playing Demos all over Europe and California. Showcasing the amazing sound of their 12 Strings at the NAMM Show in LA and Frankfurt International Music Fair.

Shadow Guitar Pickup Systems invited me to endorse their great sounding pickups in 2008 and I am glad I am part of their great company. Frankly, I am looking to Adamas and D'Addario because I go through a fortune in Strings every year!

Now I a find myself full circle and I am releasing an Instrumental Extravaganza to implode upon the senses and establish me as a Trend setting, cutting edge Guitar Guru. Maybe that is what I need to be...a Pioneer... I know of no one else who plays the Guitar as I do and am extremely happy with this special Niche I find myself in...thanks in part to You!

Message to the Web World

Sure it is going to be a Happy New Year. Open to changes and afloat with optimism. Warp speed ahead, Scotty, Damn the Torpedoes, Chekhov and how about some humorous text messages, Uhura? I have never started a year off with some many loose ends, unfinished projects, undefined goals, and budget busting EQ upgrades. Restocking the Listen Label catalogue and reissuing all my CD's with track tags and Windows Media friendly downloadable artwork is a major commitment, financial as well as in storage and shipping. Everything needs to be promoted, sampled; MP3'd, recopywrited, packaged into ring tones, downloadables, and sent off to over 100 independent radio stations worldwide. Scandinavia, Benelux, Italy, Australia, Brazil, most of Europe and 50 stations in the USA.

The Web site needs to be updated to accommodate new touring schedules, special events and exciting endeavors. The most challenging aspect of promoting me is to come up with a halfway decent current photo, which entails a two week minimum of healthy eating, yoga, running, home spa treatments, low cal meals, pushups and bench presses before a photo shoot in order to catch me at my unnatural best. Botox is out of the question as is corrective surgery and hair implants. A less radical lifestyle, moderate alcohol intake and just a few good nights sleep contribute the most to this much sought after glowing image. A great picture.

Of course this could not be done without the soft lensed camera and professional lighting and the help of long time image conspirators-Kevin Beach and Axel Gaube. All my deepest appreciation for your talent and loyal dedication. I still have to make a commitment to my health and longevity.

That is what it is all about when you reach 56. The first Baby Boomers are already collecting Social Security and most are well ensconced in retirement plans, golden parachute showers and well invested 401K's, funds and real estate. And they deserve it; they have committed the greater part of their adult lives to the secure landing in old age. I, on the other hand, dedicated the greater part and the best years of my life to a debauched, late night, environmentally hazardous, noon sleeping lifestyle for the best part of 40 years. Most of it by the seat of my pants even though I have been totally pro since high school with the exception of a 3 month job at the audio store on Rhein Main Air Base and 3 months in a warehouse on the south side of Seattle. And that was it, the rest of my life I have been a professional musician, managing to feed my family, the bank, the mortgage and a mild drug habit in the 80's throughout the last 4 decades, finding time to record and promote 10 CD's in the last 15 years.

Which brings us back to the Music...I owe you! Brindizi II has been a project I have talked about ever since my last tour ended. It has been written over the past two years and performed at every occasion where I play exclusively instrumental music, quite often in the last few months. I have invested in home studio software and EQ with the hopes of beginning this project as soon as possible. Dave Townsend, who graciously volunteered to assist in the production, has been gigging with me since September. We have been ripping through these new arrangements and massaging the tunes into free flowing jams. Actually sitting down and recording has eluded me but the music is in a state of readiness.

Dale Ayottte, the coyote on the Keys has been covering me in the clubs on the local scene and we hope 2008 will be as rewarding as the past 10 years of collaboration. New Years Eve will find me at the Everett Eagles on Broadway.

2008 Highlights already include the NAMM show in LA, the International Music Instrument Trade Show held every year in Anaheim Convention Center January 18 thru 20, I will be playing for Hofner Guitars and feature the new Hofner Jumbo Cutaway 12.

The Berlin Country Music Messe (Fair) where I will introduce my new 6 member band February 8, 9, and 10.

And followed by the Frankfurt International Music Trade Fair March 20 thru 24, another milestone in my Hofner Guitar association.

So, in conclusion Brindizi II will be done when it is done. Two major European tours for 2008. New pix on the horizon and through it all I wish you all a happy and sane New Year.

One thing is for sure...my love for you is growing and I feel your love intensely.

Best Wishes

Journal entry May 2007

First of all in the immortal words of Joe Walsh..."Life's been good to me so far...". Since last October, I've managed to get my career and home under control and rollin'. On the final days of my 2006 tour, we managed to record the band live in concert near Linzengericht at Luetzelhausen in Wolfman Jost's Toolhouse Recording and Performance Studio. . What a great ambience and audience...a large room with a sweet kidney shaped stage, groovy lighting...we set up as in live performances and for 2 days proceeded to run through 12 songs from the past and three songs from the future to compile a 14 song live CD with the flow and energy and inspired vibe that only live playing can produce.

Then in a global internet aided procedure, we edited this work over two continents including two vocal overdubs and preliminary mastering mixes. On my trip back to Europe in February 2007, I returned to Toolhouse for some work and then back to Falcon Audio in Sultan, WA with the talents of Marc Willet and did the final mastering.

Marc has been brilliant a he proved last November, when he completely overhauled my tarnished masterpiece, "Last Picture Show" a project I had started more than a year earlier @ Shade Tree Sound with JC Smith. Radical editing and ultra cool overdubs brought this project into the 21st Century. We polished this stone until it shined and came up with one of my finest productions to date. The fact that I had written some of by most autobiographical lyrics, revealing and intimate as well as poetic and prophetic. Melodically speaking, I was able to incorporate some of my finest chord formations and arrangements ever, to bring me to the apex of my singer/songwriter skills.

Both projects return from the manufactures in 2 daze, in time for my summer tour in Europe which begins June 4 @ which time I will begin a more personal reportage normally found in the pages of this Journal. Till then all my LOVE!

Guitar Crazy

Yes I am guitar crazy-I am crazy about my Hofner 12 and it is serving me extremely well in my songwriting especially since I am working on a new instrumental new age environmental CD-working title... "Brindizi II". The instrument is wonderful to play, responsive in the most sensitive ways, and returns my energy in sweet tones and intone melodies. I am ecstatic and truly inspired; The tunes are pouring out @ an alarming rate and I have pulled a wild card. The man on the keys at Live performances in the Northwest has been Dave Townsend on his Yamaha MO, very inventive, adventurous, intuitive and wildly talented on his keys during live sets to point that we are jamming out the bones and ribs of this new project, live and improvisational. Will we have time to begin tracking in these last 3 weeks stateside? Remains to be seen. Back to guitars- I have been in the market for another vintage guitar, local shops, national stores on the internet, ebay and private parties. I came up with 2 of my favorite all time Gibson's. Both custom shop 2000 issue date: Gibson Les Paul-Fire Mist Abalone inlays and a Gibson 335 dot neck sunburst. Both were found at John Bentley Strings across from the Events Center in Everett-from a dissolved collection @ a fair price. While I was shopping for a PA upgrade @ American Music in Bellevue I spied a Honey burst '86 335 dot neck that turned out to be a super sweet player, a jewel to look @ and a sustain like from here to Chicago. With this guitar and a vintage 1X12Gretsch Amp I could become a blues legend (in my own Mind, of course). I also have checked out the new Guild 412 antique burst built like a Mac truck right up here in Tacoma @ the same factory where I picked up my 6 and 12 when it was still Tacoma Guitars. I was drawn to the new D12-28 by Martin because of it's beauty and absolute bright tone. @ the end of the day my Hofner 12 wins out through pure playability and tone as will be revealed on my new recordings as well as on the solo of String Surfer on "Last Picture Show"!

Meanwhile on the 29th of April, which was not only Thomas' birthday but also the Greater Seattle Vintage Guitar Show in South Seattle- what incredible beauties were on exhibit but the ones for sale were a little too refinished or Frankensteinien or over priced to totally pull me into a purchase. One very clean '78 Fender Princeton was scooped away from me by the Quick and the Dead, so I was not able to find the Amp companion for my Honey burst. So I will settle for this year's acquisitions to enjoy and play in the coming years. During the weekend of the Guitar Show, was also able to pick up niece, Elly and her boy Martin in Lakewood and head out to the Pacific Ocean, to a town called Moclips for some major sun, sand and a great celebration of Elly's 28th Birthday. The views were great from our abode and we enjoyed some of Washington's greatest cuisine @ Ocean Crest. I know I am becoming quite the hedonist, but in order to play, perform and create like I'd, I truly need to enjoy some of the great things in life and the greatest is LOVE and I will get into that one in my next entry. Salutations!

October 31, 2006 - Halloween Day

First of all, since my last entry I was engulfed in the private matters of my Mom's estate, the completion of a monster tour while suffering from an ear infection and walking pneumonia, moving my entire European life from Goetzenhain to Offental, dealing with the irrational ran tings of a emotionally unstable sibling, taking a much needed Greek Holiday, Island hopping on a Turkish sailing vessel, rehearsing for a live in studio concert that was to become my new CD, 'Roots-Live-Sessions'.

First things first, the music. Wow, it has been a great ride, the fact that I managed so many gigs and the 10,000 miles (16,000 Km) it took to get to them, was incredible. And the music got better everyday, not once did I pull the brakes on my show, take long intermissions, or slouch off in my playing or singing, because I had to do 8 more gigs in a row. Not once did I give one audience less of me because I was saving it up for three gigs down the road. Out of the well of inspiration, I transformed every show into new arrangements and improvised guitar work with fresh singing styles. I was literally blowing my own mind every night.

From all this creative volcanic activity sprang forth the idea to record a live, in-studio album with my ensemble of musical misfits. Trying to pull it all off, rehearsals, recordings, concert catering, and rough mix in the final week of my stay in Europe was short of insane and though I had my doubts about the outcome, I went ahead with this bold move, so on Friday the 13th of October we a began a two hour show for our closest friends in Luetzelshausen, near Hanau, Germany.

We had been recording and rehearsing for the three daze prior to this, so the room was really tuned in, add the fact that Wolfman and Wolfgang, the team @ Toolhouse studios knew their stuff and the endless array of incredible microphones (40 year old, 'brand new Niemanns') and high quality equipment brought out a real living and natural sound and we could concentrate on groove. And boy, did it groove, I let myself get swept up in the pocket of this band's funky feel and played away like a virgin in Amsterdam. I sang like I always do live and blended with Katrin's voice in natural ease.

But it was not until the next day, when I was reviewing the tracks for obvious mistakes that I realized how wonderful it really was. During the sessions, I could not really concentrate on anything but my own parts and it was a sweet gift from heaven to realize how nicely it ALL gelled and cooked. The violin was a real gem, for the first time I could hear how great Ralf interplayed with the voices and my guitar.

That next night, Ralf and I opened for the Lennerockers in Frankfurt and tore the roof off that sucker. We were indestructible and romped through a set of original tunes with such ease that it was over faster than a premature ejaculation. The next thing I knew I was on a flight from Kopenhagen to Seattle and the stewardess was gently shaking my arm 'We are landing in 30 minutes, Sir,' Said her sweet voice and I crawled back from my Cognac induced comatose to greet the western hemisphere of my dreams and after 5 months of high energy, heart pumping, soul wrenching, love evoking, and just plain fucking frustrating, traffic jamming European life came to an end. Or something like that.

What now... as I take an inventory of successes and failures of the past and future, I realize that I better get crackin', time's a wastin', better not put anything off and get to work. I have several projects that were offered to me as well as one's I have yet to complete on my own. Let us start with the CD that I did not finish earlier this year. It has 5 great tunes on it and 5 not so, what do I do with this. I could write 10 more songs and do one great CD and one demo one.

Due to my new association with Hofner Guitars, I should record an instrumental CD with my old sidekick, Dave Townsend. Let's get it on.

I have been asked by ZDF or Second German Television to write and record a children's project of ten or more songs in German and English. They gave me a list of themes and topics that they would like touched upon and left the rest with me. Deadline.....March 2007.

Kahouse studio and producer Hans Jorg Wenzel think I should do a Singer Songwriter CD with their team and their musicians to bring me to a wider audience and higher production values. I am totally open to this.

When will I get around to writing that book?

I will try to keep you posted more in the coming weeks, thank you for your interest, support and groovy comments to ozkat@northwest.net love to all Dave Lee

Soulstice

I should be elated @ my recent success and future fortunes, but being on a spiritual path seeking simple enlightenment and more understanding and compassion for everything is not always a state of peace but a turmoil of an emotional kind.

Though I have found infatuation that surely could lead to love, I still can not make the commitment due to the direction and physical geography of my musical career. I do plan on recording and touring @ this rate and level @ least until 2011 and beyond and as much as I would love to settle on an Island of Romance or a Sea of Tranquility, some of my personal fortunes are still tied up with an unpredictable factor, such as a loose cannon with whom I am related.

So, this work in itself is proving to be my salvation and since the more I do of it the more I become immersed and infatuated with it and that naturally leads to new and hopefully brilliant creative outcomes. I am in a self perpetuating cycle of personal exploration and musical vanguard.

So far so good and if I can keep up this level of work I will have a enough material and music to cover several projects which can be completed in February and March in Europe and April and May in the US.

Onward and upward...