David Cummings was born in Jackson, MS on March 5, 1967 to Tom & Charlene Cummings. His family moved to Clinton, MS very soon, but his parents divorce followed. After this, David, his mom and brother moved to Hendersonville, TN where he attended first grade. Talking about a musical town! This may be where the music bug first bit him.
“I remember going to supper clubs, church functions and such at the early age of 6 and being mesmerized at the drums. I had family there and one of my cousins was in a gospel band. The first time I saw their tour bus, it encouraged me that much more!”
David’s father wanted to have his family closer to him, so he moved them back to MS after one year in TN. They lived in Raymond, MS for 3 years, but he went to school in Clinton-and lived there for the next 28 years!
Clinton, MS is really where the music developed for David. He joined the school band when he was 10. He took a few snare drum lessons from a guy at their church and he would let him play along with records on his drum kit. “He told my mom that I had a natural talent for the set and so I begged for my own kit for 4 years……ha, ha”. David finally got that kit at 14 and made his first check playing on a choir tour in MS, AL, FL, and GA. He was hooked-making money at what he loved!!!
David went on to join the jazz band, marching band and symphonic band in school. It was there that he met several incredible drum instructors including George Lawrence and Bud Berthold. Ultimately, David ended up taking his only drum set lessons from Bud Berthold. “Bud taught me how to play cool grooves like 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”.
Besides playing drum set in jazz band, he played tympani in symphonic band and quads in marching band. David was drum co-captain his junior year and drum captain his senior year of high school. He was also on the band council and was offered a music scholarship to college, but he passed up this opportunity to start playing in live bands. “Back then (1985), tuition wasn’t much and I could make a lot more money playing weekends around town.” David did attend college and graduated from MS College in 1989.
Since that time, David has played (performed and recorded) with quite a number of bands and artists. Some of which include Don Poythress (BMG hit writer-also from Clinton), Jo-El Sonnier (best accordion player in the world), The Bellamy Brothers, Charley Daniels Band, Exile, The Marshall Tucker Band, John Berry, Percy Sledge and the list goes on and on. David’s music has taken him all across the U.S. and Canada-from West Palm Beach, FL to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Some of David’s biggest drumming influences have been Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd and Dave Weckl. Influences and inspirations in life come from many different directions, not just music. David gives credit to God, family and friends-and in that order. “I once told my wife that playing music is not just about the income, it is part of me. It is part of who I am. It always has been and always will be.”
Eddie is everything a drummer could want in a bass player. He has the best sense of what it takes for us to nail down whatever it is that we hopefully will accomplish. Larry is an incredible guitar player, knowing exactly where to put a fill or how to structure a chord so it is really thick. He is also the best front man in the business. I have the utmost respect for both of these guys and I love what this band does!
***ONE SELDOM FAILS WHEN HE LOVES WHAT HE IS DOING***