Q&A with Musician Dave Simmons

How did you get your start as a musician?

My parents loved music! They weren’t musicians but had a passion for all genres of music. And they instilled in me from a young age a particular love for live music. We were constantly going to concerts, bluegrass festivals, music in the park – anywhere music was being made, we were there! I played saxophone for a very short time in middle school and junior high. I kept wondering when I was going to sound like Charlie Parker or Coleman Hawkins. Turned out – it was going to be a while! So, I started goofing around in garage bands. I’d always had a passion for drums and percussion – so I patched together a little trap kit and started playing along with a couple of friends in a buddy’s garage. We knew practice was over when his dad got off work, the garage door opened, and we had to drag the drums out of the way to make room for his car. But, that sense of community, friendship and jamming has always stuck with me and continues to impact the way I play drums. Drums and percussion are still my primary instruments. But, along the way I’ve been blessed with patient and knowledgeable friends who have passed down their passions. I now play a little of everything: guitar, mandolin, bass, piano, accordion, harmonica. It’s been a fun journey!

What group or groups are you involved with now?

The long-standing band that I’ve been a member of is The Trace. We’re basically four childhood friends who have been making music together for nearly 30 years. They’re all high school friends – hailing from eastern Independence, Missouri and Fort Osage High School. BZ Parscale on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. Todd Milligan on lead guitars and vocals. Shane Murphy on bass. And me on drums. I’d describe it as Americana folk rock. Our tagline is “Hometown Music. Hometown Rock and Roll,” which is a lyric from one of our original songs. When we play out, we’re basically a bar band playing a lot of covers but we’ve got a substantial catalog of original tunes as well.

The second, newer group, is Western Hippie. We describe it as a cosmic country collective. At full strength, we’re a duo. Mylon English on guitar and vocals and me on stomp drums, percussion, and harmonica. We play a lot of what is described as red dirt music. Singer/songwriter stuff from Texas, Oklahoma and the Midwest. We also have a decent stable of original songs. Even though it’s a duo and not a “full” band, we pack quite a bit of punch. We’ve been together for a little over two years.

How would you describe your personal musical style?

I grew up playing a lot of rock music. I guess now you’d call it classic rock. [I’ve been inspired by] All of the great drummers: John Bonham from Zeppelin, Ginger Baker from Cream, Keith Moon from The Who. But, as I’ve gotten a little older, I’ve settled into a lot more of roots music: blues, Americana, singer/songwriter stuff. I’m a huge fan of Levon Helm and The Band and I guess if I had to model my style on someone there’s no one finer! So, now… definitely a little more subtle. I’ve started writing songs and find a lot of pleasure in that.

What other musicians do you admire?

Right now, I seem to look up to those artists that are doing things their own way, outside of the traditional system. I’m a life-long Willie Nelson fan. Willie Nelson and Family Live in 1977 is one of the first official concerts I remember going to as a kid. His guitar style, songwriting, stage presence – all of it! From a songwriter perspective – and I get this from dad – John Price. He had a lyrical ability that could make you laugh one moment and well with tears the next. And then there’s current folks like Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers and Todd Snider. Songwriter focused, but a style all their own.
What has been your most memorable show or performance?

Anytime I get to make music with friends is memorable and special. But, I’d have to say that for The Trace, our most memorable moment was getting to play Santa-Cali-Gon [in] Independence, Missouri’s big, annual Labor Day Weekend festival. We’d all been going to that festival since we were kids. So, getting to play on that stage, in front of hometown family and friends was pretty incredible. We’ve been back every year since (with the typical Covid exceptions), but that first year was really something special.

For Western Hippie… we got to open for national touring act The Lowdown Drifters at a show put on by a good friend of ours at The Farm in Liberty, Missouri. That one had special meaning because it was kind of the last remnants of an establishment in Kearney, Missouri where the three of us met – Diddy’s Kantina and Brewery. The Lowdown Drifters were amazing and gracious and getting to share the stage with artists at that level is always a mind blowing experience. But to be able to kind of say farewell to Diddy’s and the spot that made us was extra special. I guess on the Diddy’s note, I’d also have to claim the open mic night that we ran there, every Wednesday, was always special and memorable. It’s where I basically built a musical family of like-minded folks that I’m still super close with to this day. There was always something different and always something magical – every time!

What advice would you give aspiring artists?

Love music. Just the shear joy of making music with friends and sharing it with other people. It doesn’t matter if it’s in your basement or backyard, or on a stage in front of hundreds of people. Just love the act of putting a part of yourself out into the world that is totally unique to you. And never forget that feeling when it all clicks into place. It’s like flying and it will always remind you of why you started doing it in the first place. And, build a tribe. Whether that’s “fans” or followers or just people that enjoy what you do, but, also fellow music makers. The more you surround yourself with people that are talented and motivated and inspired, the more you absorb that energy. And there will be times where it’s tough. And maybe the crowd isn’t there or you’re wondering if it’s all worth it. Those folks will let you know that it is.

What are your future plans? Where can readers hear you perform or listen to your music?

The Trace plays regularly – mostly out in in our old stomping grounds of rastern Independence and Jackson County, Missouri. But, we’re starting to branch out a little. We’ve got gigs coming up this summer in Hamilton and at Walnut Creek Winery in Holt for an annual event. You can pretty easily find us and follow us on Facebook for a list of gigs.

Western Hippie plays a little more frequently and definitely closer to your readership as far as proximity. Lots of gigs from Liberty, Kearney, Hamilton, Cameron, Marceline. Same as far as Facebook for gigs and music. We hope to be putting out a couple of singles on streaming platforms this summer, so be looking for those. If anyone is interested in building that musical tribe, I host an acoustic, open mic the first Wednesday of every month at the E. Howard Porter VFW Post #5717 in Kearney, Missouri. 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Come join the choir! It’s always a lot of fun.