David Frank

Professional Drummer/Vocalist

All Styles, Acoustic & Electronic

By Ear, By Chart, By Feel

    After watching one set with David Frank on drums, it becomes obvious that he is comfortable playing a wide variety of styles. Although he began studying the drums at age seven, he actually started by pounding on the drums when his brother's band used to wake him from his nap at age two. After taking snare drum lessons for 3 years at school, he finally got his first drum set and began studying with a private instructor. His teacher took him through various Music-Minus-One type records always emphasizing the importance of being able to read music as well as play, a skill that would pay off frequently in the following years. At the age of 14, his first paying gig, an accordion-centered rock/pop/polka band that did weddings and private parties, gave David his first taste of playing in front of a crowd.
   
    The applause and instant status of "being in a band" was a great motivator. David practiced hours each day, often coming home from school, going directly into his practice room, playing until dinner, then going back and playing until his self-imposed curfew of 9:00, (in consideration of the neighbors), often blowing off homework, or doing just enough to maintain a passing grade. He also began doing work in a local dinner theater , playing for touring Broadway shows such as "Grease" and "Annie Get Your Gun". After graduation, it was only a few months before he began playing full-time with a Virginia-based show band touring the country and gaining experience in styles ranging from pop to jazz to torch songs. The following years would see him in bands and one-niters playing rock, country, blues, R&B, big band, musicals, gospel, heavy metal, beach music, funk, fusion, and a number of commercial jingles.
 
    Eventually, he also began doing vocals and even taught himself enough guitar, bass and keyboard to begin writing songs. This basic understanding of music theory and song forms also enabled him to beat out other drummers for alot of gigs. During one stint in a house band at a Jazz club in Charlotte, NC, he opened for or played with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Ricky Lawson, Jeff Watts, Sheila E’s & Lionel Ritchie’s bands, as well as members of back-up bands for Liza Minelli, Neil Diamond & Kenny Loggins. In Indy, he has worked with Henry Lee Summer, Tony Cheesebourough, Tad Robinson, Jes Richmond,  and Soul Bus. He has also worked with Bill Gaither, Sandi Patti & Doug Oldham.  After several years of full-time touring on the Top 40 Hotel circuit, he decided to settle down to get married. He has since been keeping busy both with a corporate act and several fill-in gigs, as well as playing at his church regularly, although he will tell you that he never gets to play as much as he would like. After playing in 38 states and Canada it is quite clear that he has the dedication to his craft and the hunger to keep at it for as long as he is physically able. "I’ve run into friends from school or people in clubs who used to play music, but gave it up, or just lost interest and I am dumbfounded! I can never imagine my life without my drums or my music. It’s not just something I do, it’s part of who I am." With that kind of love for the instrument, he's definitely in it for the long haul.

Contact David Frank at:

 dfrank(at)iquest.net or by phone at (317) 915-9271 or (317) 698-5386

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