Dave Desmelik

Dave Desmelik has established himself as an accomplished and rising singer/songwriter whose music might best be described as Americana or Alt/Country. Drawing upon influences from country to bluegrass to blues to rock n' roll, Desmelik writes and performs a unique blend of songs.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Growing up in Alpharetta, GA, music affected Dave early. He started playing bass guitar in his high school jazz band, as well as cello in his high school orchestra, while also learning the guitar. Playing guitar, writing music, and singing songs became a part of Dave's life, but it was not until he moved to Flagstaff, AZ that his songwriting would really take hold. During his time in AZ, Dave played and wrote songs with such acts as The John Treitor Band, Big Jim and the Twins, and Onus B. Johnson Onus B. Johnson has released two CDs, "Johnson Family Jewels" (1998), and "Box of Moonlight" (2000) on which Dave's songwriting is a key ingredient. Dave has released six independent CDs, "Move On" (1998), "Have Another" (2001), Afterthoughts" (2003), "When Your Eyes Are Closed" (2005), "Unheard Of" (2007), and "Onlooker" (2009).---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Dave returned to his southeastern roots in 2003, and is currently living in western NC, where he has been performing regionally as a solo artist and and with his band "the HillBilly Cadavers". At the present time, Dave Desmelik continues to write songs and play music that is consistent and identifiable to all of his growing fanbase.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Some career highlights and awards:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Dave's song "If It's Good For You" chosen in Top 25 songs of 2010 by Indie-Music.com. Winners were picked from thousands of songs posted to the website in the last year.-------------

*"Onlooker" voted 11 best regional release of 2009 by listeners of WNCW radio-------------

*2009 "Best Of" Mountain Xpress Readers Poll placed in three categories Folk, Country-Alt/Country, and regional musician Brevard, NC-------------

*"Onlooker" on the Roots Music Report Folk Airplay Chart for three weeks (Oct. 2009) reaching 17-------------

*"Unheard Of" reached 16 on the EuroAmericana chart (June 2007)-------------

*"2006 Best Local Artist (Alt/Country) Mountain Xpress readers' poll-------------

*"When Your Eyes Are Closed" reached 6 on the EuroAmericana chart (Jan. 2006)-------------

*"When Your Eyes Are Closed" reached 12 on the FreeForm American Roots chart (Jan. 2006)-------------

*Winner of 2004 Asheville "Make A Wish" songwriter shootout-------------

*Winner of 2002 FAME (Flagstaff Awards for Music Excellence) award for best singer/songwriter-------------

*Onus B. Johnson voted Flagstaff's best band three times-------------

*Onus B. Johnson was a band finalist at the 2001 Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Some artists Dave has opened for and/or shared the stage with:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Jack Johnson*----------

*Robbie Fulks*----------

*Shawn Mullins*----------

*Chuck Brodsky*----------

*Richard Buckner*----------

*Pieta Brown and Bo Ramsey*----------

*Larry Keel*----------

*Adam Levy*----------

*Mark Stuart and the Bastard Sons*----------

*Jeff and Vida*----------

*Ryan Montbleau Band*----------

*Bow Thayer*----------

*Cary Hudson*----------

*The Benders*----------

*Clay McClinton*----------

*Sam Quinn*----------

*Nolan McKelvey*-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------