Dave Gowens, Personal Biography

Dave was born and raised in Gadsden, Alabama, parented by the perfect parents…Tough parents that taught him the importance of work ethic and doing everything to the best of his ability. Dave is the youngest of three children. His older brother and sister set great examples for Dave to follow.

Dave spent a lot of time with his older brother, especially during the summer when school was not in session when Dave's Mom worked outside the home. This proved to be a major building block for Dave as he spent a lot of time at band practice and drumline rehearsals with his brother. Dave began learning his craft at age five by learning to play what his older brother played. This continued through the years until finally Dave's big brother graduated high school and there was no more band practice. Dave's older brother was also a fantastic kit drummer. Dave capitalized on every opportunity to hear his brother play, either in rehearsal or concert settings. This helped Dave to learn the importance of feel, groove and tempo.

Somewhere along the line, Dave picked up on music by Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, James Brown and don't forget Santana. This opened Dave's eyes and ears to hand percussion. Things have not been the same since. As a young adult, Dave met and married the love of his life, Nancy. Dave and Nancy moved from city to city throughout the Southeast over the next several years as job transfers and promotions dictated. During these years, Dave and Nancy were blessed with two daughters, Nichole and Hillary. As most young families experience, times were tough, but they lived through it. Dave began teaching marching percussion at the high school level for supplemental income, and soon learned that his gift was transferable to his students.

Through the years, Dave taught several high school and college percussion ensembles and was employed as a clinician for many groups. Dave had the distinct honor of instructing the award winning Thompson High School Marching Percussion ensemble in Alabaster, Alabama for eleven years officially retiring from high school instruction in 2002 after both daughters graduated.

When Dave and Nancy moved to the Birmingham, Alabama area and became active in Westwood Baptist Church. Dave became active in the Praise Band playing percussion, his true musical love. Although not active for some time now, his skill set was still in tact and better than ever. After several years with this team, Dave and Nancy made a church move to Kingwood church where the style of music was very different, but a lot of fun.

In 2004, Dave was diagnosed with stage four esophagus cancer, and little did he know, his prognosis was not good. Six months appeared to be all he had left. Fortunately, Nancy nor Dave subscribed to that subscription. God had different plans, and Dave is still here, playing and cancer free after over six years. When Dave was sick, he vowed to take every opportunity possible to play with any band with soul and real love for the music. Dave has had that opportunity and still loves to play with any group that will have him as long as there is some funk involved. While Dave is not connected to any one genre, he loves virtually everything that is conducive with his instrument, or some derivative of it…Funk, Soul, Latin, Rock, Jazz, Blues, and did I say funk? No rap or country please…

Dave's kits consist of LP and Meinl congas and bongos, Remo and Toca Djembe Drums, Pearl, LP and custom Timbales by Don't Fret Instruments, Sabian and Zildjian cymbals, Meinl custom hand crafted Cajons by Don't Fret Instruments, Sipsey Slapper by Don't Fret Instruments, Meinl, LP, Gilbralter and DW stands, Behringer, Shure and Sennheiser electronics, assorted hand percussion and animal parts by LP, TOCA, Meinl, RhythmTech and Pearl. Dave's gear is transported in the custom designed and constructed Ultimate Conga Transport or the Conga Coffin, depending on the gear and the application.