Country dreams on display at theatre

By Jennifer Walker

He may have gone through a few rock ‘n’ roll phases, but since he was 9 years old and his father bought him his first guitar, David Bruno has had country music in his heart and on his mind.

“I learned to play Rhinestone Cowboy in two days on that guitar as a kid, so people knew I was determined,” said Bruno.

He’ll bring that love to the DeKalb Theatre’s stage Saturday night at 7 p.m.

When he was only 16 years old, Bruno had his first bar gig at Past Times in Houston, Texas.

Bruno has lived in DeKalb County with his parents for the past six months trying to save money to fulfill his dream in Nashville, Tenn..

Because Bruno is a solo artist, his band constantly changes, but he is excited about those performing with him this weekend. They’ve all worked on albums with Cook Sound Studio in Fort Payne.

“We’ve got an awesome band, everyone is a studio musician,” Bruno said.

Fiddler Vernon Derrick, from Arab, who spent the past seven and a half years with Hank Williams Jr., and helped him record Country Boy Can Survive, will join Bruno. His drummer has played on at least seven top 40 hits.

Local artist Tina Marie will open for Bruno, who will play both cover songs and originals.

He wants well-known country artists to record his songs, but he won’t be happy unless he’s singing. He said Kenny Chesney started out that way and it’s a good way to get your foot in the door.

“I wrote ‘Honky Tonk Living’ about beer drinking, playing in the bar and the woman not liking your life style. That song is a true story,” he said.

He’s not nervous about pursuing his dreams in Nashville, Tenn. A few months ago he was there and after trying all day and night was asked to get on stage and sing on Music Row, where he sang Merle Haggard’s “That’s the Way Love Goes.”

He wears a cowboy hat and jeans and likes the artists that play traditional country music, like the artist who influenced him the most, Alan Jackson.

“I’m married to my music and I remember Stevie Ray Vaughn saying his guitar was the only thing that was always there for him and I feel the same way about music,” Bruno said.

From: http://www.times-journal.com/report.lasso?wcd=2075