GROW album release September 3, 2025!
MY STORY
Well, I can't believe it’s been a dozen years since my last album Everything in Between dropped. It was 2013, and the year before I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, sparking an urgency in me to get my songs recorded.
In 2018, my wife and I moved out to the country, seeking solace and some kind of saving grace – a little slice of heaven. I kept writing new songs but found it difficult to perform. I was going through my back pages and discovered several songs from a decade ago with most of the basic tracks laid down. I got back into the studio. I was going to finish these songs come hell or high water. One pandemic and two brain surgeries later, it wasn’t easy, but I did it.
Recently, a friend of mine, who just might be my biggest fan, coined a new word that made me laugh - naggrivating – describing a backseat driver. Turns out, it was also an accurate description of what it’s like living with Parkinson’s - or 'Parky' - as my wife and I call it. Over the years, I’ve come to accept feeling Parky and thanks to exercise, modern medicine and music, I have realized that Parky is less likely to naggrivate me and is more likely to inspire me to keep on growing.
And so here we are, 2025, in a world that might feel a little shaky, but we‘re still flourishing, trusting in our strong foundation and continuing to grow.
I hope you enjoy these tunes.
Thanks,
Dave
MORE About DAVE ELLIS
Vintage Dave
My musical path started in the late ’70’s when I met super funky bass player Maurice Jones Jr. at the University of Washington and we started playing gigs with a “Hawaiian Elvis” at lounges on Aurora Ave in the Seattle area.
In 1981, Maurice and I formed Edison Jones and put out our first EP album, Heart To Hang On To. A year later we added Ricky Lynn Johnson on drums and then Grant Reeves on sax and keyboards. Edison Jones released two more recordings and EJ quickly became one of the top draws in the region. Our original funk/rock sound and high energy shows lit up the major clubs in the Pacific Northwest.
In 1986, our song, “When the Lights Go Down Low” which I co-wrote with George Merrill (Whitney Houston, Graham Nash) was covered by the incomparable Herb Alpert.
In 1987, Wade Reeves replaced Ricky on drums and Jerry Battista joined to add his power guitar and vocals.
During the course of our run, Edison Jones opened for the Neville Bros., Level 42, UB 40, Crowded House, Three Dog Night, The Romantics, Bourgeois Tagg, among others.
By 1989, Edison Jones had run its course, and the group disbanded.
1990s Dave
Post Edison Jones, I got back to my acoustic roots and went solo. While honing my songwriting skills, I continued to open for such successful musicians as Ricki Lee Jones, Richard Marx, and the Beach Boys.
In 1994, I took a a couple years off from the hustling music scene, got married and started a family. Then in '96, I joined forces with the stand-out, multi-instrumentalist Dave Keenan and bassist / accordion player extraordinaire Nova Devonie. We formed a group called Dobra Zuby (which is Czech meaning "good teeth").
Dobra Zuby was an infectious blend of pop/bluegrass/americana, and whatever else suited our fancy. We toured and delighted audiences across WA, OR, CA, CO, and NM.
In 1999, our album Happy Ever After (co-produced with Garey Shelton) was released and became a regional classic.
2000s Dave
In 2002, I put out a solo album called Hopeless Sinners - which I refer to as 'the blue album,' featuring a pared down sound with just me on guitar and vocals, and featuring Reuben Radding on bass and Will Dowd on drums.
Through the beginning of the 21st century, I continued performing with my group Dave Ellis and the Hopeless Sinners.
I branched out and composed original music for live theater for
Book-It Repertory Theater’s 2006 production of Kent Haruf’s Plainsong and their 2009 production of David James Duncan’s The River Why.
My alter-ego “Velvet Ellis” was a key member of the popular Buck Owens tribute band The Buckaroosters playing “all Buck Owens-all the time” at the famous Little Red Hen in Seattle. The band featured Dave Keenan (Telecaster), Nova Devonie (accordion/bass), Dan Tyack (pedal steel) and CT (drums).
2010s Dave
Everything in Between came soon after I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2012, and a songwriting flood of a dozen new songs. The album is a culmination of my work and my life adventures that inspired my songs.
Recorded over the span of six months in 2012-13, the album was engineered at Garey Shelton Studios and mixed by Justin Armstrong (Dave Matthews) at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle. I brought together some of the best studio musicians in the Seattle area, creating my band, “the Hopeless Sinners.” On drums, Ben Smith (Heart), on bass, Garey Shelton (Jesse Colin Young), Terry Lauber on pedal steel, Brook Lizotte on keys, John Morton on guitar and Keeley Whitney on Bgs.
Filled with songs of triumph, failure, and ultimately an appreciation of all the twists and turns we follow on our journey, the message on this album is clear: it’s not always a straight line from point A to B, but it's sure one heck of a ride.
Dave Today
The world of music is a different animal these days - and finding an audience via digital downloads and social media is an interesting challenge for this old dog. Releasing my latest album Grow has jumpstarted a new dream.
While I no longer perform live, I want my songs to be made available to a broader audience, connecting as many people as possible to all of my music - from Edison Jones to Dobra Zuby to Dave Ellis and the Hopeless Sinners.
So whether you are a casual listener, a film producer seeking inspiration or a recording artist who's shopping for a new hit, I hope you'll take some time and have a listen. You can find my music on Apple Music, Amazon Music and beyond.
Praise for my 2013 album Everything in Between:
“A well-oiled adult-contemporary release with slick guitar leads, piano flourishes, and understated drumming. Among the standouts, “Out of the Dark” with its wailing pedal-steel accompaniment, evokes the sound of modern Nashville country, while “Only Thing We Need” is played in the contemporary blues style of John Mayer.” —Seattle Weekly
“Whether playful, reflective or somber, the songs on Dave Ellis’ new CD, “Everything in Between,” convey a personal warmth reminiscent of James Taylor. It’s a sweet collection of tunes With a ‘70s vibe that doesn’t sound dated, but refreshed and re-energized.” —Gene Stout / Seattle Times
“Dave Ellis is a soulful and authentic singer and writer. His songs are like friends you haven’t seen for too long, and you are happy to welcome them back into your life. This album is a keeper.” —Michael Shrieve (Santana)