In this week’s episode, Ximena hosts singer-songwriter David Starr. We discuss his album Beauty & Ruin released February 2020, inspired by the novel Of What Was, Nothing is Left written by David’s grandfather in 1972. We discuss David’s roots growing up in the Ozark hills of Arkansas. We touch on the universal themes tragedy, family dysfunction, and denial. We talk about the collaborative project between him, John Oates, and a number of other singer-songwriters to capture the essence of his grandfather’s story.

David Starr is a Colorado-based, Americana and blues singer/songwriter with over 10 albums to his credit. The Arkansas native has honed his decades-long career touring internationally and sharing the stage with esteemed artists such as John Oates (Hall & Oates) and John McEuen, as well as opening for acts like America, Jim Messina, and more. In 2022, he was a showcasing artist at Folk Alliance International, AmericanaFest, and Southwest Regional Folk Alliance. His latest project "Better Me", features acoustic-driven songs such as the title track and “Closer To You,” and the feisty blues-rock “Poison The Water". For his 2020 "Touchstones" project, Starr covered the music that shaped his own, including "I've Got To Use My Imagination" (Gladys Knight) and "These Days" (Jackson Browne). His critically acclaimed album "Beauty & Ruin" is a collection of songs inspired by "Of What Was, Nothing Is Left", a novel written by Starr’s grandfather in 1972. Produced and arranged by John Oates, it is a southern gothic tale beautifully told through Starr’s own musical lens. His prestige extends beyond the stage, having launched Starr’s Guitars in Little Rock, before relocating to Cedaredge, CO in 2001, where it is now a beloved institution. Starr is also a founding member of the board for the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center in Cedaredge, an intimate event space aimed at attracting musicians and visual artists to Colorado’s Western Slope.

Resources for this episode

For more information about David, visit

https://www.davidstarrmusic.com

Watch the podcast on YouTube at https://YouTube.com/@rootstoriesofthesoul

Thank you for listening to this episode. I am so thrilled and honored to be sharing stories about the Soul of Place and what we can each do to reconnect to our roots. I would love to get your feedback and opinions. Please share this episode with anyone who may need to hear this message. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts. My name is Ximena Dussan-Aya Pearson. Until next time! Keep inviting the soul of the world into your lives!