A Little Chat with Dave “Big D” Schneider
1972, Dave Big D Schneider has been an ever-present staple in the Syracuse/Central New York music scene playing along side local favorites such as Hal Casey and Roosevelt Dean.
He’s also fronted his own blues based project Big D & the Tasty Cafe. Some of the larger venues have found him sharing the stage with Commander Cody, Charlie Daniels, Blackfoot, Southside Johnny, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Checker and The James Montgomery Blues Band.
It’s been a long road of countless measures in signature time for Big D. These days one can find Big D preforming as a solo act, or, with The Big D Orchestra —a Central New York based 4 piece cover group that provides the full sound, vocal harmonies and musical expression of a large group, with the smaller footprint and enjoyable volume level of 4 piece acoustic group. Their repertoire spans time and taste from Crosby Stills & Nash and The Allmann Brothers to Jason Mraz and John Mayer. A group that is highly regarded it also enlists the super talents of Sharon Allen on vocals, George Newton on pedal steel and John Dancks on bass. A small group with a big, funky, southern, sweet-stuff kind of sound —all delivered with the the experience, expertise and knowledge that promises for a great show.
I saw Big D at a show at the Liverpool Limp Lizard a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed the quality show. I had a blast. With that, I introduced myself and then kidnapped him, briefly, for this interview.
Chuck Schiele: Thank you, very much Dave for doing this interview with us. How are ’ya?
Dave Schneider: Doing great, Chuck! Thank you.
CS: Let’s get started by you telling us how you got started in music? How long have you been playing?
DS: I credit my start in music to when I watched the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in ’63 or ’64. It made a huge impression on me. I was in the second grade about that time. Shortly after watching the Beatles a friend of mine, who had an acoustic guitar, showed me the opening lick on the Rolling Stones tune Satisfaction. I was hot stuff! But, I really didn’t start really learning until 1968 when my parents bought me my first guitar for Christmas. I sat in my room teaching myself for hours on end. One of my first gigs was in 1972 at a place called the Gathering Lounge. I was sixteen and had to stretch the truth about my age so I could get in the place.
CS: What inspires you?
DS: I get inspired when I listen to great music, I get inspired when I get to play with the many great musicians like the ones I play with in the Big D Orchestra —Sharon Allen, George Newton and John Dancks. This band is the best vocal band I’ve ever been in. What really gets me going is improvisation —when the music takes you in to an unknown zone— when the music you’re playing is something that has never been played and then to have the musicians you’re playing with respond … it just doesn’t get any better than that!
CS: Please, characterize your music.
DS: Always been a tough question for me, a little Southern Rock, a little country, a little blues and a little folk music.
CS: Along with covered material, do you write your own material?
DS: Yes, Currently I’m playing one original on a regular basis. I have a few others I play from time to time. I am writing songs now that I would like to bring out to play with The Big D Orchestra.
CS: Very good. I sure hope you do! So, you’ve had a healthy duration living the musician’s life. What are some of the things that stand out as highlights along your path.
DS: I had some real memorable moments when I played with Hal Casey back in 1981. We opened for some real cool acts —Earl Scruggs, South side Johnny, Chubby Checker. Playing the State Fair with Hal was my first really big show, there was about 5,000 or so in the audience, at first I couldn’t even look at the audience. I slowly turned around as we were playing … then I saw everyone’s head bopping to the beat. That was so cool! At that point, I was hooked. Later I was lucky enough to open for other great bands: Charlie Daniels, Dickey Betts, Commander Cody. Another highlight was when Mickey Lee Soule joined my band —one of my musical heroes. He’s a great guy and good friend. We got together a couple months ago with the intention of getting something going, again.
CS: Nice. Any funny tales you can share from those days?
CS: No, none that I can share.
CS: Uh huh … I get it … what happens in the biz stays in the biz, mm hmm … What do you think of the state of music these days, in our times, now?
DS: I don’t care for music that has a negative message. I like music with a positive tone to it —music that addresses some of the pressing social needs like some of the music coming out today. I love the return of some of the roots music in some of the new bands coming out. A return to Southern rock with Blackberry Smoke, I really love the vocals and music of the Zac Brown Band.
CS: What would your best advice be for the budding musician?
DS: Learn your craft well, learn the fundamentals first. I have a few guitar students. The one thing I like to stress is to not try to put every note you can play in one song.
CS: Oh, God thank you … Amen!
DS: Yeah. Giving music space is equally important as the notes you play. Also, listen as you play with other musicians. When you do that you have an opportunity to create a work of art —created by the whole band.
CS: Who do you keep an eye on in the CNY music scene?
DS: There are so many great players in our area, CNY is very fortunate to have such a great musical community. There really are too many to name. I’m sure there are many I haven’t heard yet.
CS: Busy man, you. What’s coming up for Big D’s 2017 music agenda?
DS: I’m hoping to put out a CD soon. I am looking forward to continue working with George, Sharon and JD in The Big D Orchestra. I’m doing some solo work and I play some gigs once in a while with my old friends from The Tasty Café, one of whom we are doing a benefit for on January 29th at The Mattydale VFW, Rockin’ for Ralph. It’s being organized by another good friend Rolland Brunet. And of course there is the work I do with Skip Murphy and The Merry Pranksters, that’s right … I’m a Prankster!
CS: Where can we find you and keep track of your events?
DS: You can find our events on Facebook at Big D 3 and my web site: bigdny.com.
CS: Terrific! It sure has been a pleasure chatting with you, and I hope to catch you out, again, soon. Thanks for doing this article for us here at Table Hopping. Happy New Year to you, Dave!
DS: Thank you for the opportunity, Chuck. Happy New year to you as well.
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