“To get things done, you have to push a little bit. I have noticed a duality in Woodstock where there are some people who really do want to succeed, and some people who have blockages to being successful and seem to be a little bitter about other’s success. In many cases, it’s a small town thing where you might be chastised for doing well, or for doing the things that you need to do to do well. ”
Even with that harsh truth David is ready to buck that old horse.
“This area has music in its bones and there is a lot of incredible talent that, when harvested, could put this little town back on the map. One of the reasons I moved here is that the musicianship in Woodstock is the some of the best outside of Nashville and L.A. New York became kind of a wasteland — what burgeoning musician can afford to live in NYC? It’s for Rock stars!”
And when you want to put your talents to good use, what better place than where you started — on the heels of rock stars who chose the good life?
“Levon Helm gathered a very positive group of people together, and what they have provided for this area is a pillar of support — keeping Woodstock high-end and alive musically. I do hope that they can keep that up. We need even more of that here.”
More than an artist David is a motivator and lover of all things musical, becoming a producer later in his career. He collects equipment from the 60s and 70s — amps, organs and boards, and although he does work with Pro-Tools, he retains a very analogue sound starting from scratch. “Everything’s got to have a little bit of 60s and 70s in it!” For those of us who grew up in recording studios in the 70s — you could feel for a moment like you’ve stepped back in time when you enter his studio. And not just the sound.
“Ever notice how some of the most joyous music comes from cultures in desolate times? Music has the power to uplift and bring joy and that is what it is all about for me.”
David has been writing and collaborating commercially for most of his career. Working with new artists, filling in the gaps in productions. Moving back to the area has allowed him to he bring his “work” home, which is a place where eagles soar past his deck and the sun rises right behind them.
He began a lively musical conversation after inviting Jeremy Bernstein to his home after he’d been evacuated in the storm following hurricane Irene’s devastation. That spirit of giving inspired a song between two friends waiting out the storm, “What else do you do in a blackout?” he says with a grin. Look forward to the album that grew out of that evening sometime after this summer. From the sound of the roughs, David is calling new music from very old places that Jeremy hadn’t himself yet gone to.
He plays in a band with Zachary Alford, Gail Ann Dorsey and Danny Blume who all also live locally. “One of the positive things about working with people like Jeremy and Simi, is that it does create a sense of community. People come together to enjoy playing with each other…it’s a family affair.”
An interesting dichotomy of old and new; David is bringing new life to Woodstock’s music scene with a bit of energy from a very important and valuable era in our history. When you come here with your heart open and a clear memory of Woodstock in one of its greatest heydays, and then you team up with artists like Simi Sernaker, Jeremy Bernstein, and Levon Helm’s family — you are not only going to find community, but you might just irrigate a wellspring that has felt rather stagnant and depressed for too long by comparison.
“I have a newfound excitement for our musical community, for what is happening now, and for what is to come. All we need is one or two successes to come out of here and we can really shine again.”
David’s excitement is infectious — I can’t wait to see the results of what’s in the works, and I wonder who’s the next artist to share something they’ve created at Sun Mountain Studio!
David’s website is:https://www.edisonmusiccorp.com/. A Simi song, ‘Good Girl’ can be heard at soundcloud.com/davidbaronofedisonmusic/good-girl. A Jeremy Bernstein song “Ode To A Young Man” can be heard at soundcloud.com/davidbaronofedisonmusic/ode-to-a-young-man-jeremy
Coming home, staying home is a series about young Woodstockers who have stayed in the community or have returned.
Great article. So glad to have David Baron in the community.