Dave Matthews
Dave Matthews | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | David John Matthews |
Born | Johannesburg, South Africa | January 9, 1967
Genres |
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Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 1976–present |
Labels | |
Member of | Dave Matthews Band |
Website | davematthewsband |
David John Matthews (born January 9, 1967) is a South African-American musician, songwriter, record producer and political activist.[1] He is best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band (DMB). Matthews was born in Johannesburg,[2][3] and moved frequently between South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States while growing up. Matthews started playing acoustic guitar at the age of nine.
From 1991 to 2003, Matthews predominantly focused on songwriting and performing with the Dave Matthews Band, which he started in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1991. He also has done various solo performances and produced other records. During the period from 2000 to 2010, his band sold more tickets and earned more money than any other act in North America.[4] The band's 2012 album Away from the World made them the only group to have six consecutive studio albums debut at number one on the Billboard charts. This record was extended to seven consecutive number one albums with the 2018 release, Come Tomorrow.
In addition to music, Matthews has had multiple acting roles.
Early life
David John Matthews was born
In 1974, the Matthews family moved to
Matthews naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1980.[11]
Upon Matthews's graduation from secondary school in 1985, he was faced with
Matthews moved to New York in 1986 where he worked for IBM for a short time,[10] then joined his mother that same year in Charlottesville, Virginia, a town Matthews's family had lived in before he was born.[10] In Charlottesville, he became part of the local music community, rehearsing in a warehouse owned by Roulhac Toledano.[14] Although Matthews had started playing the guitar at age nine, it was only in Charlottesville that he started performing publicly.[10] Matthews met local star (and future collaborator) Tim Reynolds through mutual friend, Nic Cappon. In time, Reynolds had Matthews join him on stage, and Matthews was persuaded to record some of his own songs.[10][15] This led to his first professional musical gig at a modern dance performance by the Miki Liszt Dance Company, based at McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, singing "Meaningful Love", composed by John D'earth and Dawn Thompson.[16] In 1991, he hatched the idea to form his own band.[10] Before recording his first demo, Matthews bartended at Miller's in Charlottesville.[17]
Formation of Dave Matthews Band
After writing his first few songs, including "I'll Back You Up", "The Song That Jane Likes" and "Recently", Matthews formed
Matthews's older sister Anne, who lived in South Africa, was murdered by her husband in early 1994. Her husband then died by suicide on or around January 27 of that year.
Other musical work
Matthews focused primarily on songwriting and performances with Dave Matthews Band from 1990 to 2003. The band's sound blends acoustic guitar, bass, saxophone, drums and violin. In 1994, DMB signed with RCA Records.[17][20] Since that period, he has occasionally ventured outside the band in various solo performances and records. Matthews sang on the track "Sing Along" on
Dave often collaborates with banjoist
Matthews played a cover of Neil Young's song "The Needle and the Damage Done" at the 2010 tribute MusiCares Person of the Year, honoring Young on January 29, 2010.[29] The Dave Matthews Band opened for
Acting
Before he was known as a musician, Dave Matthews was an amateur actor, appearing onstage in several productions at Charlottesville's Offstage Theatre and Live Arts theater[30] in the early 1990s; the role for which he is best remembered is as a used car salesman in Offstage Theatre's "Just Say No," directed by John Quinn, co-starring Kylie Suture.[31] He played Will Coleman in the 2003 adaptation of the novel Where the Red Fern Grows.[32] In 2005, he played in Because of Winn-Dixie as Otis, a man who works at a pet store and plays guitar.
In 2007, Matthews appeared briefly in the movie
In 2007, Matthews guest-starred in the medical-drama series
The fifth time Matthews appeared as musical guest on Saturday Night Live in November 2009 (which was also the fourth time the Dave Matthews Band appeared on the show), he made an appearance as Ozzy Osbourne in a skit called "The Mellow Show". Bill Hader impersonated Matthews in the same skit.
Matthews was also a cast member and performer in the popular music documentary Before the Music Dies.[38] In 2018, Matthews guest-starred on Pete the Cat as the voice of Gustavo's father, a platypus.
Other activities
In 1999, Matthews purchased more than 10 acres of land in Albemarle County, Virginia, known as Blenheim Farm, to preserve its historical significance. He later decided to plant grapes on the property, since it is located within both the Virginia and
In 2011, Matthews collaborated with wine makers Steve Reeder and Sean McKenzie in creating the Dreaming Tree Wines.[40][41][42]
In April 2012, Matthews was credited as producer on the documentary Last Call at the Oasis, directed by Jessica Yu.[43]
In early 2013, Matthews participated in a jam session at Blade Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana, with Jakob Dylan, Charlie Sexton, Blade studios co-owner Brady Blade, and Sexton's brother Will. This led to the formation of a band named The Nauts with Matthews, Dylan, Blade, and the Sexton brothers as members. However, there has been no news regarding an album release since that jam session.[44]
On May 16, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 quarantine, Matthews appeared streaming on the virtual graduation ceremonies for the University of Virginia. He wished students his best and said "it is now your small opportunity to make the world a better place, as you see fit." He then sang the song "Singing from the Windows".[45]
Personal life
Dave Matthews married longtime girlfriend Jennifer Ashley Harper in 2000. They have twin daughters born in 2001, and a son born in 2007.
Political activism
Matthews published an Internet video before the 2000 U.S. presidential election, urging viewers to vote without advocating any candidate. He mentioned only Ralph Nader by name, and updated fans about the recording sessions for Everyday. Although his music often explores political and social issues, Matthews refrained from public campaigning for presidential candidates until 2004. He cast his support strongly with Democratic nominee John Kerry, performing at political events including the Vote for Change tour.
Matthews also supported
On September 21, 2009, Matthews stated that some of President
On May 10, 2012, Matthews entertained a sellout crowd at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle where President Obama was hosting a campaign fundraiser.[60]
In a September 28, 2015, interview with Rolling Stone, Matthews said that "when I hear someone like Bernie Sanders talking, I think there's a hope."[61] Matthews performed at a San Francisco rally for Sanders during the 2016 presidential primaries and later, during the general election campaign. He was a major donor to the 2017 gubernatorial campaign of progressive Charlottesville politician Tom Perriello.[62]
On October 30, 2021, Matthews performed at a Democratic get out the vote event in Charlottesville, Virginia with gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.[63][64] During the 2022 election campaign, Matthews performed at campaign events for Democratic candidates Tim Ryan in Ohio and John Fetterman in Pennsylvania.[65]
Awards and accolades
Grammy Awards
- 1997: Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group – "So Much to Say", Dave Matthews Band
- 2004: Best Male Rock Vocal Performance – "Gravedigger", Dave Matthews
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
- Most Performed Song from a Motion Picture – "Where Are You Going" (for Mr. Deeds)
- Dave Matthews was awarded D.M.A. honoris causa by Haverford College on May 15, 2005.[66]
- 2002: Matthews was the recipient of the Orville Gibson Award for Best Acoustic Guitarist.[67]
Discography
Studio albums
- Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
- Crash (1996)
- Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
- Everyday (2001)
- Busted Stuff (2002)
- Some Devil (2003)
- Stand Up (2005)
- Imagine We Were (2005) – as Tribe of Heaven; originally recorded in 1989
- Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King (2009)
- Away from the World (2012)
- Come Tomorrow (2018)
- Walk Around the Moon (2023)
Live solo albums
- Live at Sweet Briar College (2016); originally recorded in 1996
Digital downloads
Two shows have been released as part of the Dave Matthews Band's DMBlive series available only for online download.[68]
- Dave Matthews Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA (October 24, 2002) – 2008
- Dave Matthews China Club, NYC (01/09/2004) – 2008
Live albums with Tim Reynolds
- Live at Luther College – (1999)
- Live at Radio City – (2007)
- DMBLive. Prism Coffeehouse, Charlottesville, VA (04.22.1993) – (2008)
- DMBLive. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC (03.29.2003) – (2008)
- Live in Las Vegas – (2010)
- Live Trax Vol. 23 Whittemore Center Arena, Durham, NH (02.19.96) – (2012)
- Live Trax Vol. 24 Spartanburg Memorial, Spartanburg, SC (02.08.97) – (2012)
- DMBLive. Memphis, Richmond, VA (06.13.1993) – (2012)
- DMBLive. J.T. Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake City, UT (03.03.1999) – (2014)
- Live Trax Vol. 41 Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley, CA (03.13.99) – (2017)
- Live Trax Vol. 48 The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA (08.25.94) – (2019)
- Live Trax Vol. 49 Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center, Canandaigua, NY, (06.18.19) – (2019)
Singles
Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Mod
|
US Adult
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US Pop | |||||||
2003 | "Gravedigger" | 35 | 35 | — | Some Devil | ||||
"Save Me" | — | 26 | — | ||||||
2004 | "Oh" | — | — | — | |||||
2007 | "Eh Hee" | — | — | 73 | Non-album single | ||||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart |
Guest singles
Year | Single | Artist | Chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Country | US | CAN | ||||
2009 | " I'm Alive "A
|
Kenny Chesney | 6 | 32 | 73 | Greatest Hits II |
- A "I What What" charted as an album cut in 2008 before being released as a single in 2009
Videography
Video albums
Title | Album details |
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Live at Radio City |
|
Collaborations
- "Eleanor" and "See Jane" (1994), off the Shannon Worrell album Three Wishes
- "Communication" and "Trouble and Strife" (1998), off the Béla Fleck and the Flecktones album Left of Cool
- "Love Of My Life" (1999), off the Santana album Supernatural (Santana album)
- "My Antonia" (2000) off the Emmylou Harris studio album Red Dirt Girl, where Dave duets with Emmylou on her composition
- "For You" (2002) off the We Were Soldiers soundtrack with Johnny Cash
- "Iwoya" (2002) off the Angélique Kidjo album Black Ivory Soul
- "Joyful Girl" (2002) off the Soulive album Next
- "Sing Along" (2003) off the Blue Man Group album The Complex with music video
- "Tremendous Brunettes" (2005) off the Mike Doughty album Haughty Melodic
- "Love Is The Only Way" (2006) off the Robert Randolph and the Family Band album Colorblind
- "Work It Out" produced by DJ Nu-Mark (2006) off the Jurassic 5 album Feedback
- "Fat Man in the Bathtub" (2008) off the Little Feat album "Join the Band"
- "I'm Alive" (2008) off the Kenny Chesney album Lucky Old Sun
- "Mamma Boulet" (2008) off the Dave Grant album Bubbalon by Bass
- "Caveman", "Sleep" & "Overdue" (2009) off the Danny Barnes album Pizza Box
- "Tomorrow Never Knows" (2010), off the Herbie Hancock album The Imagine Project
- "You Should Know Me", "Oh, Bangladesh" & "And He Slayed Her" (2010) off the Liz Phair album Funstyle
- "All the Same"(2011) off the Vieux Farka Touré album – The Secret
- "Jack Johnson and Friends – Best of Kokua Festival
- "Walk of Shame" (2012) with Jimmy Fallon, off the comedy album Blow Your Pants Off
- "Take Me to Tomorrow" (2013) off the John Denver tribute album – The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver
- "Forsaken Savior" (2013) off the Gov't Mule album Shout!
- "Sweetheart" (2018), off the Sarah White album "High Flyer"
See also
References
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- ^ "Dave Matthews". Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ^ Lewis, Randy (December 19, 2009). "Dave Matthews Band rocks to the top in concert revenue". Los Angeles Times.
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- ^ "Driven: Dave Matthews: About the Episode". VH1. Archived from the original on December 11, 2004.
- OCLC 762211281.
- ^ Baker, KC (September 11, 2008). "Julia Roberts and Dave Matthews Rock Out for Cancer Concert". Peoplemag. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ Gardner, Elysa. "Jconline – Postcard from the road: Pete Seeger's all-star hootenanny". Content.usatoday.net. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f "POP/JAZZ; A Band That Built a Career From the Ground Up". The New York Times. May 31, 1998. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ Sinclair, Les. "Dave Matthews To Be Monticello Naturalization Speaker". Newsradio WINA. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
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- ^ Whitefield, Fredricka (2005). "Profiles of U2 and The Dave Matthews Band" Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine CNN.com (accessed May 3, 2006)
- ^ Roulhac Toledano (2014), retrieved March 7, 2024
- ^ "Driven: Dave Matthews – About the Episode" Archived December 11, 2004, at the Wayback Machine VH1.com (accessed May 4, 2006)
- ^ "Interview With Greg Howard". nancies.org. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ^ ProQuest 1194320.
- ^ McNerthney, Casey (August 18, 2017). "Seattle resident Dave Matthews responds to violence in Charlottesville, where band started". KIRO 7 News Seattle. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ ISBN 9780743493826. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ProQuest 1192512.
- ^ "Blue Man FAQs". Blue Man Productions. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
"Sing Along," a track from The Complex, featuring Dave Matthews on vocals, is Blue Man Group's first music video.
- ^ "Gold and Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
- ^ "Dave Matthews links up with Trey Anastasio, others for winter tour". Live Daily. October 7, 2003. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
Joining Matthews on the outing are Trey Anastasio, Brady Blade, Tony Hall, Ray Paczkowski and Tim Reynolds.... Late last month, Matthews released Some Devil; his first solo set. Anastasio, Hall and Blade all appear on the album.
- ^ "Dave Matthews Forms Supergroup with Jakob Dylan". Rolling Stone. December 16, 2013. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
In late 2013, it was announced that Dave Matthews was part of a music project called The Nauts. Matthews, along with Jakob Dylan, Brady Blade, Charlie Sexton and his brother Bill are self producing their debut album at the Blade Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana.
- ^ Kahn, Andy (July 4, 2016). "Bela Fleck Joins Dave Matthews Band For 'Friend Of The Devil' In 2015". JamBase.
- ^ Harris, Emmylou. "Red Dirt Girl". Archived from the original on March 18, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
- ^ "Dave Matthews and Emmylou Harris". Country Music Television, Inc. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
- ^ Betts, Stephen L. (January 9, 2015). "Watch Dave Matthews Duet With Emmylou Harris". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (January 30, 2010). "Neil Young Honored by Wilco, Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews and More at MusiCares Gala". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Zimmerman, Lee (January 9, 2012). "Happy Birthday, Dave Matthews!". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ISBN 978-1-55022-443-6. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ "Where the Red Fern Grows". IMDb. May 3, 2003. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry". IMDb. July 20, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ "You Don't Mess with the Zohan". IMDb. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ "Lake City". IMDb. April 25, 2008. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ "Inside House: Hugh Laurie and Dave Matthews Play Piano". Archived from the original on October 10, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
- ^ ""House M.D." Half-Wit". IMDb. March 6, 2007. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
- ^ "Before the Music Dies (2006)". IMDb. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ^ "Blenheim Vineyards". Blenheim Vineyards. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ "Unfiltered: Dave Matthews' Wine Dream". Wine Spectator. October 20, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
- ^ "Wine Taste Test: How Do Dave Matthews, Banana Republic And More Branded Wines Stack Up?". Huffington Post. October 26, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
- Zimbio. February 1, 2012. Archived from the originalon October 9, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
- ^ "ATO Pictures to Distribute Must-See Doc 'Last Call at the Oasis'". Blog.documentarychannel.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
- ^ "Dave Matthews Heads New Supergroup with Jakob Dylan". Rolling Stone. December 16, 2013. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
- ^ Newman, Caroline (May 16, 2020). "Virtual Celebration Honors Grads with Surprise Performances, Poignant Reflections". UVA Today.
- ^ "Congratulations to Dave and Ashley!". The Official Dave Matthews Band Website. July 2, 2007. Archived from the original on July 11, 2007.
- ^ Williams, Allison (November 20, 2018). "The Sainthood of Dave Matthews Has Been Indefinitely Postponed". Seattle Met. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
Though the band formed in a Virginia college town back in 1991, Dave Matthews has been a Seattle resident since Bush II's first term.
- ^ "Dave Matthews – Celebrity Atheist List". Celebatheists.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ^ "About Farm Aid". Farm Aid. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
- ^ "Board and Staff". Farm Aid. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ^ Bates, Eric (April 17, 2008). "Dave Matthews Speaks Out for Barack Obama". RollingStone. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
- ^ Matthews, Dave; Reynolds, Tim (April 2, 2008). "Change Rocks: Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds to Perform Special Show in Support of Barack Obama". Official Dave Matthews Website. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Dave Matthews at Indiana University". my.barackobama.com. April 6, 2008. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
- ^ "Dave Matthews for Obama". Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2012 – via YouTube.
- ^ Goodin, Emily (August 15, 2008). "Sunday, August 24". The Hill. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ Matthews, Dave; Reynolds, Tim (October 26, 2008). "Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at Virginia Commonwealth University". Democratic National Committee. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved February 4, 2009.
- ^ "Eco-Celeb: Dave Matthews". TreeHugger. Archived from the original on August 10, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. racism 'everywhere,' says Dave Matthews". CNN. September 21, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
- ^ Eddins, Andrew (December 22, 2009). "Voice for Equality: Dave Matthews". Retrieved December 22, 2009.
- ^ "President Obama & Dave Matthews to "rock out" at The Paramount on May 10". Seattle Gay Scene. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ Hyman, Dan (September 28, 2015). "Dave Matthews Talks Bernie Sanders, New Album, His Guitar Hero". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
- ^ "vpap.org. Tom Perriello: Top Donors". Archived from the original on June 5, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
- ^ NBC29 Newsroom (October 20, 2021). "Dave Matthews to perform at free event for Terry McAuliffe in Charlottesville". NBC12.com. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Associated Press (October 24, 2021). "Dave Matthews to join Terry McAuliffe in Charlottesville for get-out-the-vote rally". Virginian Pilot. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ^ "Thousands turn out for Tim Ryan rally featuring Dave Matthews concert". WOSU News. October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ "Haverford College News". Haverford.edu. February 18, 2005. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
- ^ "Adam, Edge, U2 Sweep Gibson Guitar Awards". www.u2.com. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ "DMBLive Series". Davematthewsband.shop.musictoday.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.