Saxmandavid Makers Mark Bottle

WCPS Hall of Fame Induction

I would like to thank my friends who attended the 2018 Woodford County Public Schools Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. It certainly was a special night and I enjoyed seeing so many friends, high school teachers, and classmates.

This weekend at Giuseppe's!

Jazzin' It Up With Kris At Giuseppe's

Linda Dahn Paintings

This neat painting of me playing at Giuseppe's was done by artist Linda Dahn.

Terrell Stafford

Trumpet great Terell Stafford sound great when he performed with the Henry Clay High School Jazz at KMEA last week.

George and Amal Clooney enjoy time in his hometown

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/community/2015/06/05/george-amal-clooney-kentucky/28536817/

Panman David Hall at Rising Star Casino

I always enjoy playing at Rising Star Casino. Yesterday I had several requests from folks wanting to hear my steel pan drum. Fun!

Playing Clarinet At Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano

Gig At Wines On Vine

I enjoyed playing last night at Lexington's Wines On Vine for a private dinner party. What a neat place it is! I look forward to playing there again soon.

Wildcat Celebration

http://www.lex18.com/news/men-s-basketball-season-celebration-set-for-tuesday-at-rupp-arena

Matthew Hall, Boys Nation Senator From KY, Places Wreath At The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

My son Matthew Hall had the honor of placing the wreath at The Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier In Arlington National Cemetery last week during the ceremony.

Cincinnati Bengals 2013 Draft Roundup

http://shar.es/lXIKX

Set To Play Christmas Jazz At Laurel County Library

Gigging At Rising Sun Casino

I enjoyed playing music this afternoon at Rising Sun Casino in Rising Sun, Indiana. Son Matt went with me to set up and tear down my equipment.

While I played, Matt monitored our fantasy football team on his iphone watched the football games on the lobby televisions. Our fantasy team was awful.

Resisting temptation to play the slots, we returned home after the gig with our full paycheck in hand.

Jens Lindemann & David Hall

David Hall & Doc Severinsen

Horns, Horns, and More Horns

I have added a Facebook site for David Hall Musical Services. I will use this vechicle to post upcoming gigs and interesting music information that I run across.

My Old Reel-To-Reel Tapes

In the late 70's and early 80's, I recorded a lot of live music.  I dug out a tape this morning of Vince DiMartino and friends playing at Patchen Village on 9/20/80.

Vince, Dave Anderson, Chuck Adair, Larry Harris, Stewart Miller, and Bob Rummage sound great on this recording.  I can't believe that this tape is 31 years old.  It seems like only yesterday when Kim Harrod and I attended this concert.

Saxman David Hall To Play At Laurel County Public Library

I look forward each Christmas season to playing at the Laurel County Public Library. My performance will include some holiday, jazz, and pop tunes. It is a wonderful facility and is always well attended by lots of great folks. Lee and Jean Askew come out every year to this event. I look forward to seeing them again.

Wedding Reception Gig At Dale Hollow Lake State Park

Last night I played a wedding reception gig at Dale Hollow Lake State Park. Matthew came with me and helped with moving the musical equipment.

After he set everything up, we had about an hour of free time until the gig was to start. Because he had his newly issued driver's permit, we decided that it was time for his first driving lesson. As his instructor, we focused on the use of the brake pedal. I explained that the pressure needed to apply on the brake pedal is directly correlated to the volume of my voice when shouting "BRAKE NOW!!!"

Who Dey! Bengals Win Again!

Kim Harrod and I had a blast today at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals Beat the Colts to improve their record to 4-2.

Matthew Assumes Roadie Duties

Son Matthew is doing a nice job carrying out roadie duties. Tonight I played a wedding reception at The Limestone Center in Maysville. He met Democratic Secretary of State candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes at the event.

On the way home, we made a stop in Nicholas County at Ladobee's Steak House. Matthew enjoyed it and suggested that we do this again.

Bass Solo Talk

Playing The Steel Pan Drum - Tropical Sounds In Kentucky

Years ago I heard a steel pan band while vacationing with my parents, brother and sister in Myrtle Beach. I was just a kid and loved the sound from the first time I heard it. As I walked along the beach, I could hear the hypnotic sounds of calypso and reggae being played. I followed the sound to a nearby hotel where a steel band was playing poolside. I listened until they had finished playing that day and later came back every afternoon that week to hear more.

Recently the steel pan drum topic came up when I was talking to Jeff Bayerle, the assistant band director at Henry Clay High School. He told me that the school owned some quality pan drums and that he knew where to buy the good ones. I then talked with several percussionist friends of mine (David, Bryan, Teresa, and Andrew) and they all recommended the same instrument and dealer. Panyard, a company out of Akron, Ohio, imports the instruments from Trinidad, where master pan makers build the instruments to Panyard specifications. When finished, they are shipped to the Ohio factory for tuning and tweaking of the instrument. I ordered a pan made from a 55 gallon drum about a month ago and was excited to receive it this past Monday.

I took a week of vacation from Hurst Music so that I could get a good start on learning to play the instrument. I practiced along with background tracks all day long on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday I played until I had to leave for my night gig at Giuseppe's. By Thursday I was getting around suffiently on the instrument and had put together a twenty minute playlist.


A Trial Run Gig In The Howell's Backyard
As a trial run for a gig, I took the instrument to the a neighbor's house and played in their backyard by the pool. Though I did okay, I was not confident enough to bring the instrument to my Thursday night gig at Giuseppe's. After the Thursday night gig, I practiced all night long and throughout the day Friday. On Friday night, I brought the instrument with me to Giuseppe's and played a couple of tunes each set. I had fun playing and the audience liked it. I practiced again on Saturday and took the drum with me to my gig at Caproni's Restaurant that evening. Again, it went over well.


Playing At Giuseppe's
As time goes by I will get better and more fluent in my playing. I look forward to the time when I can relax and play the tunes easily using muscle memory instead of having to think about everything and working so hard the way I currently do. I want to be able to make it look easy. I have some nice tropical shirts and a cool Panama Jack straw hat. I'll be ready when that time comes.

Playing The Opening Of The New UK Medical Center Pavilion

Sandra Chambers and I played for the opening and dedication of the new University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center Pavilion building yesterday. We played in the beautiful 305 seat auditorium of the magificent structure.

Celebrating Melody's UK Graduation

Twenty seven members of our family met at Sal's in Lexington to celebrate Melody's outstanding college performance and graduation. Everyone had a great time.



Joanna & Rachel



Joe & Keith



Mary Lou, Mom & Dad



I picked up the tab

Tower Of Power's 40th Anniversary DVD

TOP Live @ The Fillmore "I Got To Groove" from Tower of Power on Vimeo.

Tower of Power's 40th anniversary cd and dvd is coming soon. Here's a taste. I can't wait!