3 Questions with Dave Graham
By: Rob Skane
Dave Graham is an amazing human being in my book. Not only does he write super cool and catchy rocknroll songs, but he often volunteers to play music at various programs in the Capital Region that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Dave often performs acoustic gigs with his son Luke as Watch Reggie Run. Dave Graham and the Disaster Plan is for the loud electric guitar music. Find Dave on Facebook, Instagram, and pretty much everywhere else. I love the guy and you all should too.
RRX: What was the moment that made you pick up a guitar and never put it down?
DG: When I was in school, I was working a part-time job at a nursing home. One of the other employees, Rick Sacchetti, who was also a local musician, would often bring his acoustic guitar and play it during lunch. He reminded me of a young Bob Dylan. He would play songs by the Beatles and other bands, and I thought that was the coolest thing. It sparked an interest in me, and I soon purchased a cheap, used Kay acoustic guitar that I found in the newspaper classified section (yup … this was way before Craigslist). I learned a few chords, and I even recall visiting Rick’s house one time, and he showed me how to play a John Mellencamp song that I was struggling to figure out. I truly appreciated him taking the time to help get me started on a lifelong journey of guitar playing. In addition to being a great musician, Rick is also an award-winning artist and displays his paintings in shows throughout the Capital Region. I would highly recommend checking out both his art and his music!
RRX: If you could go back and tell your younger self one thing about playing guitar, what would you say?
DG: I would tell myself to learn more about scales and music theory so that I would be more proficient now! I am more of a three-chord rocker that occasionally plays the pentatonic scale, although I guess sometimes simple can be better when it comes to songs. As the legendary country songwriter Harlard Howard once said, all you need is “three chords and the truth!”
RRX: When you’re not onstage or recording, what kind of stuff do you play when no one’s listening?
DG: I’m usually just trying to write a new original song, but if not, I’m often trying to learn a Taylor Swift or Chappell Roan tune so I can play it at my next gig. These days, unless I’m recording, I mainly play acoustic guitar both live and when I’m sitting around the house. When I’m performing either solo or as a duo with my son in our band WATCH REGGIE RUN, I like to mix in some fun cover songs that people may not expect and put my own stamp on them. It is fun watching the look of surprise and smile on their face when they suddenly recognize the song and are enjoying my rendition of it.
