Folk Roots Musician David Starr

David Starr’s unique mix of soulful vocals and honest lyrics has helped him create a folk/roots sound all his own, which, in turn has garnered him prestigious showcase performances at Folk Alliance International, AmericanaFest, and Southwest Regional Folk Alliance. It has also consistently landed him at the top of the Colorado Music Chart. A master guitarist, he is endorsed by Breedlove Guitars and was honored to create his own limited edition signature guitar with the company.

The Arkansas native has honed his playing and songwriting during a decades-long career that has seen him release more than 10 albums. While touring internationally, David has shared the stage with esteemed artists like John Oates and John McEuen, and opened for acts like America, John Oates (Hall & Oates), Travis Tritt, Restless Heart, Karla Bonoff, The Steel Wheels, Survivor, and many others.

Music was a constant in his life from an early age. After initially playing drums, David later taught himself guitar. “As long as I can remember I was picking at guitars trying to figure stuff out. As a singing drummer growing up, at some point I thought, ‘You know I just want to be out front and part of that thing,’ so I taught myself enough to get by.

David’s latest project is Better Me. It includes high-energy acoustic-driven songs such as the title track and “Closer To You,” the feisty blues-rock “Poison The Water,” as well as the haunting “Any Chance Of Going Home,” which features classic fingerpicking with Starr’s sharpened storytelling lyrics.

He is a founding member of the board for the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center in Cedaredge, an intimate event space aimed at attracting musicians and visual artists to Colorado’s Western Slope. He also produces the town’s annual Apple Fest, which draws over 15,000 people to the area, securing live music from more than a dozen acts on the Starr’s Guitar Stage over the course of the three-day festival.

To find out more, visit here. Listen to the full interview here.

By Dan Walsh