Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Sebree.
Hi Dave, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started playing guitar in the summer of 1969 on my 11th birthday. Started getting paid to play at age of 15 when I toured Europe playing in a Jazz band. I couldn’t put the guitar down and I knew music was my calling. My Mom and Dad convinced me to get a college degree so I majored in music and communication. I did continue playing professionally but had a wonderful experience in college and it has put me on a lifetime path not only musically but seeking knowledge in general.
After school I became a “sideman” and played with tons of people; some famous and some not so famous. I have played with: Henry “Blues Boy Hubbard”, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Temptations, The Classic 4’s, Van Wilks, Eric Johnson, Beto y los Fairlanes, Native Sun, Doyle Bramhall, Christopher Cross, Guy Forsyth, Carolyn Wonderland, Patrice Pike and many more artists. My recording studio has a long discography of artists including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Marcia Ball, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon Jennings, Albert Collins, Steve Earle, Norah Jones, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum, Buck Owen’s, John Hiatt and many more!
I started dating my soon to be wife in 1993 and wanted to be with her and at home so I started teaching privately, found I really enjoyed it and started Austin School of Music in 1995. My plan was to hire pro musicians who enjoyed teaching versus professional teachers and that idea really took off and the school took off because our teachers were world class musicians. By 2005 we had over 55 teachers in 2 locations and around 1,500 students every week.
My life is great as I’m helping musicians by giving them steady jobs and a foundation to follow their dreams. We are collectively helping students learn to play, get better at playing up to playing professionally themselves. We have former students who have played with giant stars and well respected studio musicians, producers and engineers.
It’s given me time to get much better as a player and writer. I’ve become a Master Level Black Belt and a have a life of purpose and happiness.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’m lucky coming from a close and loving family. I was brought up finding happiness in good and bad situations. Like anyone there have been hard times. Financial troubles, loss of loved ones, changing business landscapes, betrayal, health issues etc. Being discouraged can be awful and it can take you down but family, friends and especially my wife Katy have always been there and given me the strength to carry on. We’re only here in this lifetime (for now) and I’ve found that love and happiness are our true purpose as humans.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve played most styles of music but have really worked on blues, Jazz and rock. I do love bringing other elements in my own music like Latin and lately have been listening to Hindustani (Indian) music and understanding a bit of that. With a basic understanding of quantum physics I’ve come to realize everything in our universe is vibrational and music is deeply tied to that. Music is Universal.
With all I’ve been involved with I think I’m most proud of the Austin School of Music and everything we as a team have accomplished over the last 30 years.
One of my great talents that may set me apart a bit is my ability to inspire others to find their own way and be the best they can be.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m very inspired by my friend Gary Keller’s books, notably The One Thing as well as Robert Edward Grant who is a modern day polymath and Paul Wallis who is an ancient religion scholar.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austinschoolofmusic.com and austinschoolofmusic.com/rockcamp
- Instagram: instagram.com/austinschoolofmusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustinSchoolOfMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AustinSchoolofMusic
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/austin-school-of-music-austin
