The David Wilcox Frequently Asked Questions List HTML Version 3.5 Last updated March 19, 1997 Copyright 1995, 1996, 1997 L. Clator Butler, Jr. This list may be freely distributed online as long as it remains intact. No additions or deletions may be made except by the author. For updates, point your browser to http://world.std.com/~clator/wilcox-faq.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Who is David Wilcox? 2. What albums has he released? 3. Is any of David Wilcox's music in print? 4. Who are his musical heroes/influences? 5. What are the demographics of David Wilcox's family? 6. What is the David Wilcox E-mail Forum? 7. Is there a David Wilcox fan club? 8. What other online services exist for David Wilcox? 9. What is the David Wilcox hotline? 10. I can't figure out how David Wilcox plays this song. I think it is in a different tuning. Is there a list of his tunings for his different songs? 11. When is the next album coming? Now that David is no longer with A&M records, when can we expect a new disc? 12. Are there any collaborations in the works with other artists? 13. David's most recent songs carry religious sentiments. Is he becoming more religious, or is it that he is changing focus in his choice of themes in his songwriting? 14. Is David aware of the discussion concerning recognizing songwriters when performing covers? What is his opinion on this? Does he feel you should make mention of the song's origins, and, if not, then why not? 15. Is there other musical talent in Wilcox's family (e.g., Dad or Mom sang or played an instrument?) 16. When is David going to play [Insert your favorite town here]? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you still have a question that has not been answered? Mail the author! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Who is David Wilcox? David Wilcox is a folk songwriter from Asheville, N.C. Originally from Mentor, Ohio, he moved to the Carolinas to attend Warren Wilson College in 1981, where he developed his love for playing the guitar. He describes this in greater detail in the liner notes of his second album, "How Did You Find Me Here." *There is another musician named David Wilcox, from Toronto, about whom this FAQ is not. He began by playing mandolin with the Gangrene Boys, and has put out a number of albums - Capitol Records put out a few. This is all we have on him. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. What albums has he released? His first album is lesser-known than his others. "The Nightshift Watchman" is produced through Song of the Wood records in Black Mountain, N.C. Originally released in 1987, it is now available at his concerts, or by calling SotW at (704) 669-7675, or by writing: Song of the Wood 203 West State Street Black Mountain, NC 28711 Catalog number: SOTW-1087-CD Track listing: 1) The Nightshift Watchman (3:15) 2) Frozen in the Snow (4:09) 3) Daddy's Money (2:54) 4) That's Why I'm Laughing (4:34) 5) Come Away to Sea (4:13) 6) It's Almost Time (3:12) 7) Gone to Santa Fe (2:53) 8) Golden Key (2:22) 9) Do I Dare (3:15) 10) High Hill (3:25) 11) Sunshine on the Land (3:31) A performance at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe caught the attention of an A&M talent scout. As a result, Wilcox was signed on to A&M Records to record three albums, available in all stores. Wilcox's second album, "How Did You Find Me Here" was released in 1989. Catalog number: 5275 Track listing: 1) Eye of the Hurricane (3:35) 2) Language of the Heart (4:41) 3) Rusty Old American Dream (2:35) 4) How Did You Find Me Here (3:10) 5) Leave It Like It Is (2:57) 6) Saturday They'll All Be Back Again (3:59) 7) Jamie's Secret (5:09) 8) It's Almost Time (3:18) 9) Just a Vehicle (3:59) 10) Common as the Rain (3:00) 11) The Kid (4:55) Wilcox's third album, "Home Again (For the First Time)," was released in 1991. Catalog number 75021 5357 2 Track listing: 1) Burgundy Heart-Shaped Medallion (1:38) 2) Farther to Fall (3:54) 3) (You Were) Going Somewhere (4:09) 4) Wildberry Pie (3:05) 5) Let Them In (2:25) 6) Distant Water (3:59) 7) Top of the Roller Coaster (2:43) 8) Covert War (4:45) 9) Advertising Man (2:27) 10) Last Chance Waltz (3:38) 11) She's just Dancing (3:28) 12) Chet Baker's Unsung Swan Song (6:00) 13) Mighty Ocean (3:13) Wilcox's fourth album, "Big Horizon," was released February 8, 1994. Catalog number 31454 0060 2 Track listing: 1) New World (3:27) 2) Someday Soon (4:12) 3) That's What the Lonely Is For (3:40) 4) Show the Way (3:44) 5) Block Dog (2:38) 6) Break in the Cup (4:00) 7) It's the Same Old Song (3:09) 8) Farthest Shore (3:37) 9) Strong Chemistry (3:29) 10) Make It Look Easy (3:19) 11) Please Don't Call (4:24) 12) Big Mistake (4:09) 13) All the Roots Grow Deeper When It's Dry (3:39) 14) Hold It Up to the Light (4:08) 15) Missing You (3:30) Track 7 is a cover of the Four Tops '50s hit; Track 15 is a cover of John Waite's 1984 hit. Wilcox's fifth album, East Asheville Hardware, was recorded live at several venues and released February 20, 1996 on Fresh Baked/Koch Records. Track listing: 1) Blow Em Away- Written by Chuck Brodsky 2) Johnny's Camaro 3) East Asheville Hardware 4) Top of My Head 5) Dangerous 6) Roadside Modern Art 7) You Should See the Way it Feels To Me 8) C-OLD 9) Catch Me If I Try 10) Down Inside Myself 11) For Real- Written by Bob Franke 12) Mango story 13) Mango 14) Levi Blues 15) Carpenter Story 16) Fearless Love 17) Boob Job 18) Barbie- Written by Nance Pettit and Freddie Bradburn 19) Orgasm 20) Golden Day 21) Special additional track at end.... *** Official Promos: "Eye of the Hurricane" (1990) catalog number: CD 18007 Track listing: 1) Eye of the Hurricane (3:36) 2) Kid, The (5:18) 3) Do I Dare? (5:22) 4) Rusty Old American Dream (3:08) 5) Daddy's Money (3:53) #1 is the album version, the rest were recorded live (no date given) at McCabe Guitar Shop, Santa Monica, CA "Mostly Live Authorized Bootleg" (1991) Catalog number: 31458 8309 Track listing: 1) (You Were) Going Somewhere (4:09) 2) 4-Lane Dance (spoken intro) (1:37) 3) Saturday They'll All Be Back Again (3:48) 4) Daddy's Money (4:12) 5) Johnny's Camaro (7:06) 6) Chet Baker's Unsung Swan Song (6:09) #1 is the album version, all others are live "Make It Look Easy: (1994) Catalog number CD: 8309-2 Track listing: 1) Make it Look Easy (3:19) 2) Eye of the Hurricane (3:28) 3) Strong Chemistry (3:16) 4) Show the Way (4:51) #1 is the album version, all others were recorded live 03/18/94 at Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Is any of David Wilcox's music in print? "The David Wilcox Songbook" is published by CPP/Belwin, Inc. ISBN: 0-910957-53-3. CPP/ Belwin can be reached by writing: CPP/ Belwin, Inc. 15800 NW 48th Ave. Miami, FL 33014 Songs notated are: o Burgundy Heart Shaped Medallion o Chet Bakers Unsung Swan Song o Covert War o Daddy's money o Distant Water o Eye of the Hurricane o Farther to Fall o The Farthest Shore o How Did You Find Me Here o It's Almost Time o Just a Vehicle o Language of the Heart o Leave It Like It Is o New World o Rusty Old American Dream o Strong Chemistry o That's What the Lonely Is For o Show the Way The music is notated in piano/vocal/guitar tabliture, and it does contain the alternate tunings he uses for his songs. These transcriptions are *very* good. Sources within CPP/ Belwin say that the book is selling well. No official plans exist at this time for a follow-up to complete his music, but sources did not deny the possibility. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Who are his musical heroes/influences? Mr. Wilcox lists Tom Waits, Neil Young and Ani DeFranco as his top picks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. What are the demographics of David Wilcox's family? Common knowledge states that he is married to Nance Pettit and has a son, Nathan. He has written songs about his family, including his wife, son, parents and a brother. At his agent's request, his personal life is not discussed in the FAQ. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. What is The David Wilcox E-mail Forum? The David Wilcox E-mail Forum is a mail server dedicated to discussion of David Wilcox's music. Manager of the forum is L. Clator Butler Jr. If you have a question about the list not contained in this FAQ, please send Mr. Butler e-mail. There are two ways to receive posts: in real-time format, where the posts come individually to your mailbox as they are posted, and digest format, where messages are compiled into one mailing, send out every couple of days. To receive in real-time, send e-mail to wilcox-list-request@world.std.com and put in the BODY of the message: subscribe To receive the digest format, send e-mail to wilcox-list-digest-request@world.std.com and put in the BODY of the message: subscribe You will be added automatically. To send a message to the forum, mail it to wilcox-list@world.std.com. You must be a subscriber to post to the forum. People who use the list as a forum for non-Wilcox related material, personal flaming or general all-around rudeness will be barred from the list. Please do not post information you do not know to be factual unless it is first strongly disclaimed. The list is not a rumor source. Asking questions is encouraged. Giving answers, however, should take more thought. Most importantly, the forum itself is not to be used to discuss the trade of illegal recordings (bootlegs). Discussion of such material is at the risk of the poster alone and could result in being barred from the list, not to mention other legal actions. For further background on this issue, please read the comments made by Tom Simonson, David Wilcox's manager, to the David Wilcox E-mail Forum. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Is there a David Wilcox fan club? DW's newsletter is called "Midnight Ocean Bonfire." You can get on the distribution list for free by writing to: Midnight Ocean Bonfire c/o Russell Carter Suite 755 315 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur, GA 30030 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. What other sites exist on the internet involving David Wilcox? Web pages o http://www.netwide.net/users/EmZol/WILCOX/wilcox.html: The Official Wilcox Web page o http://www.cgrg.ohio-state.edu/folkbook/artists/discographies/wilcox2_david.html: The Folkbook Discography o http://peloton.physics.montana.edu/brett/wilcox.html: The Unofficial Wilcox Music Archive o http://www.cgrg.ohio-state.edu/folkbook/artists/biographies/David-Wilcox/: The Folkbook Biography o http://kspace.com/KM/news.sys/LASS/pages/0794/interview.html: A David Wilcox Interview Archives o Wilcox at cs.uwp.edu Other mailing lists o To subscribe, send e-mail to folk_music@nysernet.org and place in the body of the message: SUBSCRIBE FOLK_MUSIC Your Full name ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. What is the David Wilcox hotline? You can obtain updated concert information by calling 704-298-4322. (It may be a long-distance charge, unless you live in Asheville, N.C.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. I can't figure out how David Wilcox plays this song. I think it is in a different tuning. Is there a list of his tunings for his different songs? You are probably right in assuming it is in an alternative tuning. Here is a list of different tunings for most of his songs (low [6th] string to high [1st] string), arranged by album and tracklisting: The Nightshift Watchman: 1) The Nightshift Watchman (D-G-D-G-B-D, capo 5) 2) Frozen in the Snow() 3) Daddy's Money (D-A-D-G-B-E, capo 1st fret) 4) That's Why I'm Laughing() 5) Come Away to Sea (C-G-C-F-C-E) 6) It's Almost Time() 7) Gone to Santa Fe() 8) Golden Key() 9) Do I Dare (D-A-D-G-A-D) 10) High Hill (C-G-D-G-A-D, capo 4th fret) 11) Sunshine on the Land (D-A-D-G-A-D, capo 1st fret) How Did You Find Me Here: 1) Eye of the Hurricane (C-G-C-G-C-E, capo 3rd fret) 2) Language of the Heart (C#-G#-C#-F#-G#-C# or DADGAD) 3) Rusty Old American Dream (C-G-C-G-C-E, capo 2nd then 3rd fret) 4) How Did You Find Me Here (D-A-D-E-A-D) 5) Leave It Like It Is (Standard E-A-D-G-B-E, capo 4th fret) 6) Saturday They'll All Be Back Again (Standard E-A-D-G-B-E, capo 4th fret) 7) Jamie's Secret (D-A-D-G-B-E) 8) It's Almost Time (C-G-D-G-B-D) 9) Just a Vehicle (C-G-D-G-B-D) 10) Common as the Rain (D-A-D-G-B-E) 11) The Kid (C-G-D-G-B-D, capo 1st fret) Home Again (For the First Time): 1) Burgundy Heart-Shaped Medallion (E-A-C#-E-A-C#) 2) Farther to Fall (D-A-D-G-A-D) 3) (You Were) Going Somewhere (D-A-D-G-B-E) 4) Wildberry Pie (D-A-D-F#-A-D) 5) Let Them In (Even Wilcox does't recall this one. Our best guess is C-G-C-G-C-D) 6) Distant Water (C-G-D-G-B-D) 7) Top of the Roller Coaster (Eb-A-C#-E-A-B, capo 4th fret strings 1-5, 6 open) 8) Covert War (C-G-D-G-A-D) 9) Advertising Man (Standard E-A-D-G-B-E) 10) Last Chance Waltz (D-A-D-G-B-E) 11) She's just Dancing (Eb-A-C#-E-A-B, full capo 2nd fret, partial capo 6th fret, strings 1-5) 12) Chet Baker's Unsung Swan Song (C-G-D-G-A-D, full capo 1st fret, partial capo 6th fret, strings 1-5) 13) Mighty Ocean (D-A-D-F#-A-D) Big Horizon: 1) New World (C-G-C-G-C-E, capo 6th fret) 2) Someday Soon (G-C-G-A-C-G. Wilcox calls this "stage-two tuning," where the tunings get so weird that you can't use regular strings. The sixth string is a double- wound bass string that is so big he had to drill out the hole in the tuning peg and at the saddle. He tunes it to a low G, one octave lower than the lowest G on a standard-tuned guitar. He puts a regular sixth string in the fifth string slot to tune it down to C and replaces the regular first string with an electric guitar string in order to tune up to a high G.) 3) That's What the Lonely Is For (C-G-D-F#-A-D) 4) Show the Way (C-G-C-G-C-E, capo 5th fret) 5) Block Dog (B-F#-B-F#-B-D#) 6) Break in the Cup (C-G-D-G-A-D, capo 3rd fret) 7) It's the Same Old Song (C-G-C-G-C-E) 8) Farthest Shore (B-G-D-F#-A-D) 9) Strong Chemistry (D-A-D-G-A-D) 10) Make It Look Easy (B-G-C-G-C-D, capo 3rd fret) 11) Please Don't Call (C-G-Eb-F-C-D) 12) Big Mistake (Standard E-A-D-G-B-E, full capo 3rd fret, partial capo 5th fret, strings 3-5) 13) All the Roots Grow Deeper When It's Dry (D-A-D-G-B-E) 14) Hold It Up to the Light (C-G-C-G-C-E) 15) Missing You (C-G-D-G-B-D, capo 2nd fret) East Asheville Hardware: 1) Blow Em Away (D-A-D-G-A-D Capo 2) 2) Johnny's Camaro (D-A-D-G-B-E) 3) East Asheville Hardware (D-A-D-G-B-E) 4) Top of My Head (E-A-D-G-B-E) 5) Dangerous (D-A-D-G-A-D) 6) Roadside Modern Art (E-A-D-G-B-E) 7) You Should See the Way it Feels To Me (D-A-D-G-B-D) 8) COLD 9) Catch Me If I Try (D-A-D-G-A-D) 10) Down Inside Myself (E-A-D-G-B-E) 11) For Real (D-A-D-G-B-E) 12) Mango (C-G-C-G-C-E) 13) Levi Blues (D-A-D-G-B-E) 14) Fearless Love (D-A-D-G-B-E) 15) Boob Job 16) Barbie (D-A-D-G-A-D) 17) After Your Orgasm (D-A-D-G-A-D) 18) Golden Day (C-G-D-G-B-D) 19) Special additional track at end... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. When is the next album coming? Now that David is no longer with A&M records, when can we expect a new disc? It's coming: Soon! Title - "Turning Point" Release date- May 23, 1997 Label - Koch Songs - "Wouldn't it be better for there to be some sense of suspense and surprise? I thought that you all would think so ..." -- Tom Simonson David Wilcox's agent Tom Simonson speaks of the new studio album: "I'll just say that many of the favorites that you have been hearing live for the past year are on the record. Some have more instrumentation; keyboards, drums, bass, electric guitars(!); some are just guitar and vocals. There are some songs that have not been included, but that doesn't mean that they have been cast off to the scrap heap, they just didn't make it on to this record... As I have said here several times before, you can count on David touring the entire country in the coming year. He will be out supporting this record for quite some time. When it comes out, I hope that you all like it as much as I do." --March 7, 1997 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Are there any collaborations in the works with other artists? "Nothing is planned at this time ... but you never know." --Tom Simonson ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. David's most recent songs carry religious sentiments. Is he becoming more religious, or is it that he is changing focus in his choice of themes in his songwriting? It is not a matter of becoming more religious or having a change of focus, but rather David writing what he feels. He neither pounds people over the head with his beliefs nor tries to hide from them, he prefers to let his songs speak for him. Listen to the intro of "Orgasm" on East Asheville Hardwarefor a better understanding. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. Is David aware of the discussion concerning recognizing song writers when performing covers? What is his opinion on this? Does he feel you should make mention of the song's origins, and, if not, then why not? Yes, David is aware of the discussion. He feels strongly in favor of crediting writers, but sometimes gets wrapped up in his performance and spaces out mentioning the writers' names, because he is thinking about the next song. He also always intends to mention that he has CDs for sale and usually forgets to say that too. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. Is there other musical talent in Wilcox's family (e.g., Dad or Mom sang or played an instrument?) No. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 16. When is David going to play [Insert your favorite town here]? Tom Simonson: There are certain regions of the country that David has not played recently. Let me assure you all that this is not due to any "bad experiences" or desire to slight any region or city, but rather the realities of booking tours where one needs to juggle about 20 sets of variables(travel, the number of shows that we can book, the dates that promoters have available and how they connect with David's schedule, how much demand exists in a given market. etc) to make dates work. In the case of the Pacific NW, there have been several times in the past year where we were close to having dates that worked, but several different sets of problems arose making the dates fall through. As I have stated repeatedly, it is our intent to get him through the NW soon, and we will. Added to the normal set of variables to work with, we now need to schedule around recording the new record. (more details on that in another few weeks) I would also like correct some of the incorrect statements and inferences that seem to be feeding the comments about markets people feel are being ignored. First, David was in Seattle just over a year ago at Bumbershoot and in Lewiston ID in late 1995. San Francisco has a date that has just been announced on Nov 24 at the Great American Music Hall and David did several summertime events in the greater Bay Area in the summer of 95. So to close, speculate about conspiracy theories or desires to snub areas of the country all you want, but please do so knowing that it is pure imagination with no basis in reality. David is pleased to perform anywhere in the country. It is my job as his manager to make sure that when he is on the road that it works as efficiently and effectively as possible. Ok, so everybody in the NW was kicking and screaming for some shows, now we've got some shows, and I'd like to ask everyone's help, please.... So the question comes up "What if we had a show, and nobody bought tickets?", the answer is, of course, that it would be bad.... This is the part where you come in; if you know anyone who might dig David in any of the west coast cities(or anywhere, for that matter) where he is soon appearing, please tell them about it and urge them to go to the show. It is particularly crucial in Portland, as there has never been a powerful radio station in town that has played David's music. (and that is not for lack of trying to convince the station, I can assure you) We can use the help everywhere, but Portland is the most pressing. Judging from all the posts on the topic, I know many of you are pretty much already in the mode of telling people about David but any additional help that can be directed at Portland would be a great help. Tom Simonson ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prepared by L. 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