Stuff that's been written.... & where I've performed...
Alan Beaty, Americana Promotions: I have been listening to Dave's soulful voice for well over twenty-five years, as he led one band after another through it's paces. e has always surrounded himself with great musicians, but on occasions his voice has been almost buried by the music. So, imagine the pleasant surprise a few months back, when I showed up at the room where Dave was performing to find... Dave, a piano & a microphone. In fact, his newest CD is entitled "A Piano, A Microphone & Me". For the next three hours, I was thoroughly entertained by his stories and mesmerized by his soulful voice.
Dave's song list is so extensive, that it's hard to classify his style. His voice has a definite blues edge to it, reminding the listener of Ray Charles, Randy Newman, Gregg Allman & Michael McDonald, at times. He writes some of his own material ("Alone At Last", "Night After Night", "Hello Donna"), but he interprets other songwriters, too. He did songs from "The Great American Songbook" ("God Bless The Child", "Accentuate The Positive", "My Baby Grand"), as well as songs from more contemporary songwriters. His tremendous sense of humor shines through on songs like "Save The Bones For Hemry Jones" and "Alone At Last". Dave performed a medley of tunes originally performed by many of the legends of R&B that he worked for in his younger days. His renditions of "Georgia On My Mind", "Louisiana" & "Nightlife" momentarily silenced the once-rowdy room.
For an artist who was "too country for Blues & too bluesy for Country...", he sings songs from each genre extremely well. During his long career, he has won several awards as a blues singer, & his gospel CD, "Thank The Lord", actually crossed over onto the Southern Gospel charts in October of 2005. The most amazing aspect of Dave's music, to me, is it's timelessness & it's appeal to audiences of all ages. Between his music & the stories that he tells, Dave Foraker is a sure-fire guarantee to leave the audience with smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts.
The Charlotte Observer
: "Foraker's gritty, soulful vocals fuse rock and blues into a style that is powerful and passionate."
Piedmont Entertainment
: "Dave has the kind of voice that aspiring singers long for... & the seasoning that can only be gained through thousands of performances. I've seen Dave in front of a hot blues band... & as a solo pianist/vocalist at several hotel piano bars. Either way, it's hard to top his voice for soul-filled sincerity."
Mountain Xpress :
"Foraker's music speaks to all ages. I'm glad to report that he has almost miraculously recovered from the stroke that threatened to end his career."
Blues Connection : "Great songwriting, a bluesy violin & bluesier vocals! Is this guy the next "Papa" John Creech? Remember... you heard it here first!"
Charlotte Monthly : "Although we titled the initial article, "Charlotte's Best-Kept Secret", Dave Foraker should be recognized as The Carolina's #1 Blue-eyed Blues Singer!"
Asheville Citizen-Times : "Foraker sounds like a down-to-earth David Clayton-Thomas, going for his notes with gruff emotion that is blissfully unpretentious & real."
Rock Hill Herald : "Dave's sparse piano phrasings provide the perfect companion to his renowned vocal skills."
Occasionally Bluesletter : "Foraker's soulful voice, to me... reflects Ray Charles, Joe Cocker & Gregg Allman... & even more!
Where He Has Performed:
Barley's Taproom - Asheville, NC
Be Here Now - Asheville, NC
Bele Chere Festival - Asheville, NC
Bert's - Sullivan's Island, NC
Biltmore Estate Winery - Asheville, NC
Black Angus - Okeechobee, FL
Blues Cafe - Salisbury, NC
Brevard College - Brevard, NC
Cafe JAM - Greensboro, NC
Charlotte Blues Festival - Charlotte, NC
Cheeseburgers In Paradise - Asheville, NC
Claudia's Cafe - Black Mountain, NC
Cioli's New York, New York - Asheville, NC
Come-See-Me Festival - Rock Hill, SC
Crooked Door Coffeehouse - Marion, NC
Cumberland's - Charleston, SC
Delaney's - Spartanburg, SC
Dilworth Brewing Co. - Charlotte, NC
The Double Door Inn - Charlotte, NC
Eaglenest Entertainment - Maggie Valley, NC
Encouraging Cup Coffeehouse - Fletcher, NC
Fall Festival - Connestee Falls, NC
Fireside Coffeehouse - Brevard, NC
French Quarter - Black Mountain, NC
Goombay Festival - Asheville, NC
Hannah Flanagan's - Asheville, NC
Holiday Inn (North) - Charlotte, NC
Huarambee Festival - Hendersonville, NC
Low Country Blues Bash - Charleston, SC
Mars Hill College - Mars Hill, NC
Midtown Sundries - Charlotte, NC
Mountain Smokehouse - Asheville, NC
Occasionally Blue - Greenville, NC
Park Hotel - Charlotte, NC
Pewter Rose - Charlotte, NC
Rainbow Deli - Charlotte, NC
Red Hot Blues Room - Charleston, SC
Reedy River Concert Series - Greenville, SC
Sandwich Construction Co. - Charlotte, NC
Saratoga's - Maggie Valley, NC
Sheraton Airport - Charlotte, NC
Sourwood Festival - Black Mountain, NC
The Library - Sapphire Valley, NC
The Town Pump - Black Mountain, NC
Tressa's Jazz & Blues - Asheville, NC
Warren Wilson College - Swannanoa, NC
Winter Haven Music Festival - Winter Haven, FL
Yorkfest - York, SC
Ziggy's - Winston-Salem, NC
& many, many more...