David Mayfield Archives - Bluegrass Today

Daytime Moon video drops from David Mayfield Parade

Without a doubt, one of the most kinetic and entertaining live shows on the bluegrass scene is The David Mayfield Parade. Led by the gifted singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist Mayfield, this talented band delivers a remarkable performance, with a sound that may initially surprise you, but never fails to resonate with traditionalists and progressives alike.

For their latest single with Mountain Fever Records, the Parade has reso-guitarist Ryan Wallen out front on a song he wrote called Daytime Moon. He says that its lyrics ponder over what a moon during daylight hours might inspire us to do.

“The moon gets blamed for a lot of things it seems, the rising and lowering of the tide, mood swings when the moon is full, and a whole host of other astrological conceptualizations. But as me and my dad made eye contact with the moon in the full light of day, we thought…I wonder what a daytime moon makes you want to do? Thus, the idea for the feel good, fun time tune was born.

In a world where people are always in a hurry or worrying about things they can’t control, it’d be nice to have an excuse to be happy and enjoy the day; an event that’s not rare at all, something to make you say, ‘today will be a good one,’ an excuse to gaze at the beyond, an excuse to enjoy the positive sight of our celestial neighbor. A Daytime Moon.”

Ryan’s bandmates on the track include fearless leader Mayfield on guitar, Steve Moore on banjo, Keith Wallen on mandolin, and Graham Bell on bass. Troy Boone adds guitar while Steven and David provide the harmonies.

It’s a quirky little number liable to muster up a smile. Check out the music video.

Daytime Moon is available now from popular download and streaming services online, and to radio programmers at AirPlay Direct.

David Mayfield Parade to Mountain Fever Records

Mountain Fever Records has announced the signing of The David Mayfield Parade to the label.

Mayfield has long occupied his own spot in the imagination of bluegrass music fans. Known for his powerful singing voice, skill as a guitarist, and over-the-top stage performances, David grew up playing in his family’s bluegrass band. A turn with Cadillac Sky brought him to the attention of the music industry as a young man, and since with his Parade, he has been recognized as well for his songwriting.

Amanda Cook, who is not only a Mountain Fever artist, but also an executive with the company, says of their latest signee…

“Throughout my years as a listener, I have long been an admirer of David’s vocals. As a peer within the music industry, I’ve held The David Mayfield Parade in high esteem for their distinctive style and captivating showmanship. Now, in my capacity as a record label executive, I am thrilled to have officially signed The David Mayfield Parade. Their unparalleled work ethic and innovative approach to their craft are truly exceptional, and I eagerly anticipate introducing their remarkable new music to audiences worldwide.”

As an example of their sound, here is a video Mayfield created for the Harry Shearer and Michael John Mckean song, Never Did No Wanderin’, which also explores some of the curiosities of his personality.

David says that he is quite pleased with his new label partner.

“Mountain Fever Records has been behind some of my favorite releases in recent years, and I’m thrilled to join the fold.”

The David Mayfield Parade is David on guitar and lead vocals, Steven Moore on banjo, Keith Wallen on mandolin, Ryan Wallen on reso-guitar, and Graham Bell on bass. All four of Mayfield’s bandmates assist on vocals.

The Parade has already begun work on their next project at the Mountain Fever Studio in Willis, VA, with Cook at the controls. Look for new music from this latest venture soon.

David Mayfield comes back to bluegrass

Guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter David Mayfield is not your typical bluegrass boy. He grew up in the fold, touring with his parents and his younger sister in their family bluegrass band, One Way Rider, even living on the road for a time in one of Bill Monroe’s old tour buses. As he came of age, David struck out on his own, working in turn for The Larkins, Hit & Run Bluegrass, and Dave Evans.

Then he took a turn towards more modern music, joining Cadillac Sky for the height of their brief career, sticking with them ’til the end. When that band dissolved, he formed his own group, The David Mayfield Parade, which drifted toward the pop side of Americana, after recording and touring with The Black Keys and The Avett Brothers.

Over all this time, he’s developed a reputation for passionate, if not frenetic, performances and an over-the-top energy on stage that is second to none.

His public persona may be a bit oddball and quirky, but David’s music is 100% sincere. And growing up immersed in the bluegrass gives him an inescapable connection to the style, even when he has strayed from its roots.

But no more… Mayfield is back to bluegrass for his next project, set to be recorded shortly in Nashville at Compass Studios with co-founder Alison Brown producing and playing banjo. The tracks will feature all new, original music which David says is more “Johnson Mountain Boys than Cadillac Sky.”

You can get a feel for his offbeat sense of humor in this video he created for his recent, successful KickStarter campaign to fund the album. Hold on to your hat!

David Mayfield New Album!

The KickStarter campaign has reached its funding goal, but you can still make a pledge and receive one of the many rewards like pre-release copies of the CD, T-shirts, posters, and more. Find more details online.

David’s parents, David & Valerie Mayfield, still tour as a bluegrass act, and his sister, Jessica Lea Mayfield, has built a successful career as a singer/songwriter.

For his part, David says it feels good to be playing bluegrass again.

“I’m very excited about these new songs and this return to the music I grew up on!”

No word yet on a likely release date.

December bluegrass package tour in Germany

Bluegrass Jamboree is the name attached to a two-week road show in Germany set for December.

Headlining is Steep Canyon Rangers, who will be fresh off their US tour with Steve Martin, and hawking their newly-released CD, Deep In The Shade. Rounding out the show will be US old timers Beverly Smith & Carl Jones, and British grassers Toy Hearts.

The tour is intended to be an annual event, which the promoters describe as a first for the European bluegrass scene. In true barn storming fashion, Bluegrass Jamboree will consist of 16 consecutive one-nighters which will hit Berlin, Bonn, Munich, Hamburg and another dozen German cities.

Sophia Johnson of Toy Hearts shared a few words about their participation.

“We are very proud to be involved with this project – which is the first of its kind, to have a touring show of 3 bands doing 15 (?) consecutive nights together. The Headline band the Steep Canyon Rangers are personally one of our favourite groups – they are incredible musicians and who put on a really great show, and as they write their own material, they are a great showcase of the new wave of young, dynamic bands currently coming through in the USA. I think the whole show will have something for any audience member, because of the range of bands, it would be a great introduction for newcomers to Bluegrass as well as featuring enough great picking for the more trained ear!”

Sophia also mentioned that Toy Hearts is set to return to the US in January to record their 3rd CD. David Mayfield of Cadillac Sky is set to produce, and the band is hoping to involve some top Nashville pickers on the new project as well.

Details on the various Bluegrass Jamboree tour stops (December 5-20) can be found online.

New guitarist with C-Sky

Ned Luberecki has reported on Sirius Bluegrass this morning that guitarist Mike Jump has left Cadillac Sky and is replaced by David Mayfield.

Mayfield is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter with many years’ experience in bluegrass and country music.

Ned tells us more…

“Mike’s last show with the band was at the Pickin’ In The Panhandle festival near Martinsburg, WV last weekend and David’s first show was last night in St. Louis. The C-Sky boys stopped by for a visit in our Nashville studios for a show which will air early next week.”

You can hear audio from David’s solo CD on his MySpace page. We are expecting some more details about the switch from C-Sky’s Bryan Simpson shortly.

One of our readers posted a review of David’s first show with the band over in The B, our reader-submitted section of Bluegrass Today.