Artist:    David Thomas, Songwriter/Performer            

Instruments:    Piano, Guitar

Genres:    Contemporary Christian, Praise, Pop, Rock, Country

“The only thing more important to me than music are relationships.  Thus, songwriting and performing became a way for me to express my most treasured relationship in Jesus Christ through a medium that seems to be a part of my very being.  I believe that’s why the songs I write and sing nearly always have a spiritual message.

I always knew music would play a big role in my life.  I remember the first time I got paid for playing music.  I was sixteen and was asked to play for an hour at the monthly meeting for a local civic organization.  Once I had finished playing the entertainment coordinator approached me with a $50 check in hand.  I couldn’t believe it!!  Not only did I not know it was a paying gig, but a $50/hour job seemed like an awful lot to a sixteen year old.  Despite my trying to give the money back, the group insisted I keep it and thus provided me a great deal of encouragement early in my career.

I first learned to play the piano at the age of five from watching my dad play.   I started piano lessons shortly thereafter to learn the basic theory and fundamentals, but quickly became bored with the ‘monotonous’ drills & scales when I realized that using my dad’s teachings (playing by ear) I was already playing my favorite songs off the radio.  It wasn’t until the age of thirteen that I decided to pick up the guitar.  This time around I found an instructor who taught by ear.  He recognized my background on the piano and helped me to apply the theory and knowledge already attained thus holding my interest much longer than piano lessons as I showed much more rapid progress.  I thoroughly enjoyed these lessons and continued them until I left home for college.  Throughout college I began to write songs and eventually gained the courage to play my own songs in front of others.

There’s no greater feeling than playing something written from my heart for others.  I’ve had the opportunity over the past few years to perform at various churches throughout the state of Missouri.  I’ve also led the music for retreats sponsored by the Upper Room, and continue to lead the praise band at my local church.  Nothing brings me greater joy than to feel that another person connects with God in some way through my music.  My hope is that people see something about their own relationship with God that they can relate to in my music, and that it touches them as deeply as the inspiration for it touched me.”

--David Thomas