User:Ken Richardson/sandbox

David Ray Mayfield (born 1983) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer/producer from Kent, Ohio. He is known for his song writing, with a style that draws on folk, bluegrass, classic country and rock music. He is also known for his energetic live performances.

Early years

Mayfield’s parents (David Lee and Valerie Faye Mayfield) met each other at a bluegrass festival. They were professional musicians for most of David’s childhood. Eventually, their band, One Way Rider, became a family bluegrass band. Oldest daughter Amanda Lynn played banjo for a few years. David Ray started on bass when he was 12, and youngest child Jessica Lea joined at the age of 8. The family band toured in a 1956 tour bus that had once belonged to Bill Monroe The family lived in Nashville, Tennessee for about four years, doing three shows a day seven days a week.

He cites Simon & Garfunkel, Randy Newman, Roger Miller, Doyle Lawson, New Grass Revival and Peter Rowan as major influences.

References