David Grissom has toured and recorded with artists such as John Mellencamp, Joe Ely, Storyville, The Allman Brothers Band, The Dixie Chicks, Chris Isaak, Robben Ford, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Montgomery Gentry, Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, and John Mayall, . His songs have been recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Womack, John Mayall, Shannon Curfman and Storyville among others. He has been featured several times in Guitar Player, Guitar World, Musician, and Vintage Guitar magazines. He is the author of the “Lone Star Guitar” instructional video and the book “A Guide To Blues/Rock Guitar Soloing.”
David moved to Austin in 1983 and quickly became a stalwart on the vibrant local scene. He joined Texas legend Joe Ely’s band in 1985 and toured and recorded nonstop until 1991 when he joined John Mellencamp’s band. David made 3 records with John and toured extensively from 1991 through 1993. After, Mellencamp, David went back to Texas to form Storyville, the band that included the Double Trouble rhythm section and powerhouse vocalist Malford Milligan. Storyville made 2 records for Atlantic Records. Since 2000, David has divided his time between commuting to Nashville to do recording sessions and touring as the Musical Director for the Dixie Chicks in 2003 and 2006.
His first solo CD entitled “Loud Music” was independantly released on the Wide Lode label in July 2007. His second Cd, “10,000 Feet” was released in March of 2009. He is currently working on his third solo effort. Most recently, he played on Buddy Guy’s Grammy Award winning Living Proof CD and produced Texas artist Ryan Beaver’s second CD.

In 2007 Paul Reed Smith introduced the DGT, David’s signature model guitar which represents the culmination of a 25 year relationship working with Paul on the design and improvements of their guitars from a touring/session players perspective. He is also currently working with Doug Sewell and PRS to help develop their new line of amps.

"Imagine a young Chrissie Hynde fronting the Mavericks w/ a little help from Calexico" WORD

"w/ a sultry blood red vocal style & a dramatic songwriting flair, the strikingly exotic Vonne combines south-of-the-border mariachi sizzle, southwestern mythology, Texas roots-rock & spaghetti western cinematic sweep on this compelling bilingual effort." No Depression

A Thousand Shades of Blue is Candace Bellamy’s first original EP. Since moving to Austin from Tennessee six years ago, Candace’s life has taken numerous fascinating turns. A successful physician who works for the military and a men’s maximum security prison, she first pursued singing nine years ago as a hobby. After taking voice lessons, she began performing in community theater productions in Tennessee and then formed a rock and blues band.

Candace decided to move to Austin to get more involved in music. She sang in multiple R&B bands, appeared in the critically acclaimed “Porgy and Bess” at Zach Scott Theater and was a worship leader at Gateway Church when she was approached to perform a musical showcase at the Waldorf in New York City. There she met Kevin Spirtas, an actor on the popular daytime television drama “Days of Our Lives,” who told her about his one-man show in which he told stories about his acting experiences. This inspired Candace to develop her own one woman show, “Follow the Red Lips”, which she also performed in New York City.

Having multiple musical experiences under her belt, Candace returned to school to complete a one-year music program at the University of Texas, while continuing her day job. During this time she met Ruth Carter, an amazing songwriter who has written for multiple artists including Stevie Ray Vaughn, Brian Setzer and Robert Palmer. Her collaboration with Ruth resulted in the songs on the CD. Candace and Ruth also collaborated with Jimi Calhoun a bass playing legend who has graced the stage with Dr. John, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Wilson Pickett, Sly Stone (and the list goes on).

Some of Austin’s elite play on Candace’s first original EP including Denny Freeman on guitar, Jimi Calhoun on bass, Frosty Smith on drums, Mike Thompson (Eagles) on keyboards, and Bill Carter on acoustic guitar. Also included is a song cowritten by JJ Plasencio (Sixpence None the Richer) and featuring his beautiful cello playing.



Buzz About A Thousand Shades of Blue

“Candace Bellamy’s calling card is her voice, a smoky, soulful instrument of joy well-suited to a variety of cover bands locally, as well as A Thousand Shades of Blue. The album’s fortuitous placement of six gorgeous co-writes by Bellamy and Austin veterans Ruth Carter (Robert Palmer, Stevie Ray Vaughan) and bassist Jimi Calhoun makes this a memorable listen (“Sweet Sweet Soul,” “Just One Girl”). Soul with class and elegance.” -Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle



“Candace Bellamy has a sweet, sweet soul. She’s the kind of singer who you could definitely enjoy listening to while sitting down at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles while sipping on a glass of wine. Her music is material you can really hear. She’s like a mesh between Rachael Yamagata and Aretha Franklin. Aside from being an excellent, sassy vocalist, Bellamy’s journey to the spotlight is far from ordinary, and I know we say that a lot, but just hear me out. Bellamy was a physician. She made a complete 180 in 2002 (around there) and hasn’t looked back since. She discovered her true calling, and if you listen to her covers and her new, first original EP A Thousands Shades of Blue, you’ll see what I’m talking about. Bellamy is a true talent, and for that she’s our BeatCrave Fav. Check her out!” - Laura Aguirre, BeatCrave



“Candace Bellamy’s A Thousand Shades of Blue is a record that moves in the opposite direction of much of mainstream gospel music. Whereas many artists have embraced the R&B/hip hop fusion sound of modern music with its auto tuned vocals and pop culture references, Bellamy’s EP A Thousand Shades of Blue gets its voice and inspiration from a more traditional place. The six tracks on this excellent EP come brimming with the blues, folk, soul and a little jazz. The plainspoken lyrics belie the depth of thought contained within.” - Howard Dukes, SoulTracks.com

Darden Smith began writing songs at 10, and was playing music in clubs in Houston, TX by 17. He has released 11 albums and has toured all over the US and Europe. In 1993 Darden's 'Loving Arms' was a top ten radio hit in the US. He also has had numerous television appearances including The Tonight Show and Austin City Limits.

With Marathon, Smith's latest release, he evocatively captures the enduring allure in pursuing answers we never find. Inspired by the stark, spacious mood of the American West, Marathon is the most exceptional work to date for this Austin-based musician.

“Marathon is more open, more organic than anything I’ve done in a very long time,” Smith says of the album, named for the remote Texas town near the bend of the Rio Grande. “I wanted it to be really spacious, very acoustic-based, and to try and pull in sonically what West Texas is to me visually.”

The Barton Hills Choir is led by Barton Hills Elementary School music teacher and choir director Gavin Tabone. The Choir is comprised of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from the school and accompanied by professional musicians, including guitarist Aaron “Mr. Hair Doctor” Dembe, bassist Jason “Mr. Boom Boom” Brint, and drummer Jake “Mr. Bubbles” Perlman.

Tabone founded and led the Palm School Choir before coming to Barton Hills Elementary in 2009. The Palm School Choir released 6 CD’s, shared the stage with Lyle Lovett, Ruben Ramos, and Neil Young, and were featured on NBC’s Today Show, KUT’s Eklektikos, the Austin American-Statesman, and many other news outlets.

Accompanied by several Palm School Choir students, the Barton Hills Choir 5th and 6th grade students appeared at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October, 2009. Their performance included arrangements of Flaming Lips, Wilco, and Beatles tunes as well as several of Tabone’s original songs.

The Barton Hills Choir plays gigs at Texas venues and events like South by Southwest.