I first met Dave in Aug 1998 at the Buffalo Rose show. He greeted me with a hearty handshake and proceeded to tell me of his excitment to be playing with the Pat Travers Band. But the proof in the pudding came shortly thereafter. Dave put on a spectacular show! His solo during Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights) was nothing short of amazing. Sean has said "This guys is from another planet!" I have to concur. Dave was definitely a find and is one fantastic addition to the best band in Rock And Roll!
Dave joined the Pat Travers Band in early 1998. He has added dynamically and extensively to the sound of the PTB. He brings excitment, energy and years of playing and writing experience to the live show and soon to the studio as well. The live show is tighter now than ever thanks to Dave's prowess on Bass guitar.
Dave has also been touring and recording with the Dixie Dregs and the Steve Morse Band since 1988. When not working with the SMB and PTB, he is keeping busy with the New York based blues-rock band, L.A.X., which features Glenn Alexander on guitar and vocals, and SMB mate Van Romaine on drums. Dave is in the middle of producing his second solo record, due out later this year, and is also writing, playing and producing for various artists in his home state of Florida.
Awards:
Two Grammy nominations with the Dixie Dregs, in 1992 for "Bring 'Em Back Alive", and in 1994 for "Full Circle". Dave has finished in the top 10 in the "Best Overall" category in the Bass Player magazine Readers Poll in 1993, '94, '95. And '96. He also finished third in the "Best Rock bassist" category in Guitar Player magazine in 1994. Dave received the "Lifetime Achievement Award for the Advancement of Bass Guitar" at the 1996 Florida Guitar Show.
Education:
Education is a big part of Dave's career, so he will continue to write his "Essentials" column for Bass Player Magazine (for whom he also serves as a member of the Advisory Board), do clinics nationally for the Ernie Ball/MusicMan Co. , and teach privately in the Orlando area when his schedule permits. He has also done seminars at the National Music Expo's and the National Guitar Summer Workshops.
In addition, 1998 will see the release of Dave's two volume bass method book, which will be distributed by the Ernie Ball Co., and a second instructional video to follow up his internationally released Warner Bros. video, also titled "Essentials".
If you would like to study with Dave, click here for information on his correspondence course.
Education:
Bachelor of Music, the Berklee College of Music, Boston.
Recordings/Performances:
In addition to 4 Steve Morse Band albums, and 2 Dixie Dregs albums, Dave released a solo record entitled "Hub City Kid". In 1984, in collaboration with Glenn Alexander, he toured the USA and recorded a self-titled LP with the band "Stretch". There are many other projects LaRue has been associated with, but suffice it to say that Dave has recorded or performed with artists ranging from Ace Frehley to Mike Stern, and has covered much of planet Earth while on tour. For information on how to obtain "Hub City Kid", and other recordings, click here.
Equipment:
Dave plays fretted and fretless MusicMan Sterling and StingRay 5 basses. One Sterling is equipped with a Kahler tremolo bridge, and one has a HipShot de-tuner. One of his StingRay 5's is strung high, from low E to C. All of his basses are strung with Ernie Ball Extra Slinky strings.
For amplification, Dave uses Ampeg SVP Pro preamps, into the new SVP 1500 mosfet power amps. His speakers are the SVT Classics, which are 4 x 10 cabinets with a bullet. The rig also contains various signal and effects processors.
All above pics donated by Bruce (Da Man) Frye!
Taken at the Buffalo Rose, Golden CO - Aug 1, 1998
