Dave Smith

Meet Dave Smith from Middleton, Massachusetts.

Hello fellow followers of THE MUSIC! I'm from Middleton which is north of Boston. My first introduction to America was during my college years. America had just released their first album. When I stopped by my best friend's house they were playing it while we worked on homework. Now, I had heard guitar before but never had I heard one like the 12-strings played on the album. I was hooked. I went right out and bought my first 12-string.

I worked at a department store to support my college days. During breaks, I would stroll down to the record department and check the "A" bin whenever a new album was announced. In the days before cyberspace, before being able to go to "tickets.com", I would cut class just to go to the old Music Hall in Boston to get tickets as soon as they became available. I went to every concert they did in Boston in the '70's. I remember one show in the old Boston Garden. They were no more than half a minute into the first number when TWANG! Dewey breaks a string. He gets a replacement guitar when TWANG again; breaks another string! But Dewey was up to the task. He got another guitar and went right on with the show. I just couldn't get enough of this music.

I was really dissapointed when I went to a show at the Music Hall only to hear on the way that Dan Peek had left the group. At the time, it was tough to take but I realized the show must go on.

The '80's brought marriage, kids, work, etc. etc. and I sort of lost touch with America. My interest re-kindled with "Can you do magic" and when I heard that they would be at the Topsfield Fair, I knew I just had to re-visit the force that inspired my interest in acoustic guitar music. They were as good as I had always remembered. This year, I took my sons to the show. Although the weather wasn't the greatest (cool and damp), there were still many people rocking to the tunes. I bumped into many of my neighbors who are also "America-ns"! It was a great afternoon and I truly hope they come up this way "again and again and again" (from "Children" :) )

In the age of CD's and rock singers who embrace heavy theatrics (lights, smoke, costumes, stage acts), I was really curious as to the reactions of my 15 and 18 year olds. Just how would they take performers who relied on the quality of their music to make their show.

When I asked my oldest how he enjoyed the show, he pretty much summed up my feelings I have had for this group since I did those math problems at my friend's house many years ago;

"Dad, they are AWSOME!".

Feel free to send your comments or questions to Diver Dave or visit his homepage.