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Dave Nachmanoff performs "Civilization and its Discontents", which is available on his "Snapshots" CD - at the Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek on February 2, 2013. www.davenach.com . Video by Casey Bagozzi.

Not many people get to realize their early dreams - Dave Nachmanoff dreamt of working with singer/songwriter Al Stewart, and now tours as his lead guitarist and accompanist, and often as his opening act. From performing with folk legend Libba Cotten at the age of 9, to playing in a rock band with his two brothers, Dave went on to earn a PhD in philosophy and slowly build a grassroots following touring all over the US, first on his own, and later with Al Stewart. In addition to frequent touring, he is now writing and recording custom songs for people and using his recording studio to produce other artists as well. A truly independent musician, Dave's career is varied and never predictable.

A California based performer with nine albums under his belt, Dave Nachmanoff is known for sophisticated songwriting, clean guitar playing, rich and textured instrumentation and top-notch singing. He's been described as having "an acoustic style that's somewhere between the easygoing charm of Arlo Guthrie and the raw energy of Bruce Springsteen". Nachmanoff's voice has been likened to an older Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) and his guitar style to Mark Knopfler or Richard Thompson. He performs acoustic music influenced by a wide variety of styles and topics.

Dave Nachmanoff has built a grass-roots following across the United States. At age 9, he performed with folk legend Libba Cotten ("Freight Train"). In addition to his solo career, he has toured the United States and the world for over a decade as the lead guitarist and accompanist for singer/songwriter Al Stewart ("Year of the Cat", "Song on the Radio", and "Time Passages"), and he recently released the live CD "Uncorked" with the folk-rock legend. As a side player (guitar, piano, bass, accordion and more) he's worked with Stewart on a regular basis as well as many others at hundreds of venues as far ranging as The Bottom Line, Glastonbury Festival, and the Edmonton Folk Festival. With a PhD in Philosophy and a penchant for story-songs, Nachmanoff specializes in lyrics that are not typical cliché singer-songwriter navel-gazing angst-ridden diary entries. He's shared the stage with Don McLean, Steve Forbert, The Pogues, America, Alison Krauss and many others. In addition to frequent touring, he also writes and records custom songs and uses his recording studio to produce other artists. He's led songwriting workshops for many groups, from German school children to the Silcocks, a family with 44 adopted boys.

"Step Up", Nachmanoff's new CD, was produced by Ronan Chris Murphy in Los Angeles, and features fantastic guest vocalists, including Al Stewart, Rosemary Butler, Liz Bligan and John Wicks of The Records, and top-flight musicians who have performed with Los Lobos, Jason Mraz, and John Fogerty. Several of the tracks have gained recognition in national songwriting competitions including the USA Songwriting Competition, the International Acoustic Music Awards, and the Great American Song Contest. Just Plain Folks honored him with the 2001 Songwriter of the Year award. For five consecutive years he was the Susan Lucci of the South Florida Folk Festival, earning a place as a finalist before winning Best Overall in 2002. Sing Out! Magazine has praised his "... heartfelt, inspired songwriting ... with a delivery both biting and assured."