I’ve been incredibly fortunate to experience things that still don’t quite feel real.

Music has taken me places I never expected. Introduced me to extraordinary people and I don’t take any of it for granted.

Here are a few highlights:

SANG WITH STEVIE WONDER – AND I’M STILL PROCESSING IT

I won a radio singing competition. The grand prize, singing live on stage with Stevie Wonder.

I heard the announcement live on the radio—“And the winner is…”—and before I had a second to comprehend what was going down, my phone was ringing with No Caller ID. I assumed it was the promotor calling to say, “Sorry, we made a mistake.”

Most people would take an opportunity like this and rightly so, squeeze every last drop out of it—After all, sharing the stage with Stevie Wonder is the kind of thing that belongs in headlines, not locked away in memory.

You won’t find it on my YouTube channel or no social posts. Truthfully, it was both the ultimate dream and nightmare fused into one surreal moment. The very thing I’d dreamed about as a 6 yr old had come to fuition and I’m now suffering the absolute worst case of imposter syndrome.

At the time, I was a very average singer. I could hold a tune and get through 4 gigs a week, sure, but I had no real grasp on how to use my voice properly.

In front of 12,000 people you’re now dueting with your idol. The key? Three times too high. Your microphone? Cutting in and out for the first 30 seconds. Your adrenaline? Doing its best to strangle and restrict your vocal cords like a killer python.

Just as you think you’ve survived, just as you’re about to retreat into the background and let your heart rate return to normal… Stevie Wonder turns to you (insert blind joke here) and says, “Keep singing David.”

How “I Wish” this had happened now. Now, when I have a better understanding of what I’m doing vocally.

I attempt to watch the footage every few years. When I do, I laugh, cry, cringe, cover my eyes and usually turn it off before it finishes. But ultimatley, I watch it to remidned myself that drems do come true, if you really want them to…. Truth be told, I still wouldn’t trade that moment for all the vintage Strats and Les Pauls in the world.

TOMMY EMMANUEL Tommy is the pinnacle of what it means to be a musician. He’s extremely supportive to all musicians and has so much time and encouragement.

Tommy was gracious enough to have me up on stage and perform with him. I can’t explain the level of motivation and inspiration this gave me.

Firstly in 1995 on his Terra Firma tour with his brother Phil Emmanuel at The Soldiers Club, Batemans Bay, and then again in 1998 on Tommy’s solo tour at the old Vinegar Woolshed which is now The Fiddler.To me, Tommy is the pinnacle of what it means to be a musician. And unlike other musicians with his stature and longegvity yr old,

SUPPORT ACT SLOTS

From little clubs to grand venues like the State Theatre and Star Casino, I’ve had the chance to open for some true icons—José Feliciano, Taylor Dayne, Suzi Quatro, Boney M… to name a few. Each one was a privilege to meet, and any hint of hierarchy was left at the stage door. I was treated like I was one of them.

TV PERFORMANCES

For four years, I played guitar (and sometimes sang) as part of The Vipers, the in-house band on Channel 9’s The Footy Show. Live television, unpredictable moments, and a backstage world that could’ve been its own reality show.

PERFORMED AND WORKED WITH SOME MUSICAL LEGENDS

Some of the musicians I’ve had the privilege of playing with were my heroes long before I met them, which makes it even more surreal. Dave Gleeson, Angry Anderson, Tommy Emmanuel, José Feliciano, Glenn Shorrock, John Williamson, John Field… names that carry weight, talent, and stories of their own.

I’ve appeared in country music film clips from heavy weights here in OZ including Amber Lawrence and Christie Lamb.

Then there’s the producers and engineers—giants in the music world. Kent Wells, Richard Lush, Peter Dawkins, Mark Opitz. I often found myself standing in the mixing room thinking, Should I be here?

WHO HAVE YOU ENJOYED PERFORMING WITH THE MOST?

My brother. Without question.

For a multitude of reasons—some deeply musical, some deeply ridiculous. We’ve been performing together since we were kids, writing, recording, and gigging side by side. Whether we’re laughing at some inside joke or I’m watching him destroy a drum groove, there’s no one I’d rather share a stage with.