Most people would consider a Southern Indiana farm a great place for raising corn, soy beans, wheat and livestock, but few would ever consider it as being a great place for raising a country music entertainer, singer/songwriter. For DeWayne Spaw, it was the perfect place. "My Grandpa was my best buddy and when I was a kid we were together nearly every waking hour. “I loved helping him on his farm," says DeWayne. "Grandpa and I loved to sing and recite poetry so I learned from one of the best. My Mom was a great singer and an excellent piano player as well and she played at church every Sunday so I quickly learned what good music was and I was raised to love it. I also remember riding with my Dad in his Jeep, listening to Mel Tillis, Charley Pride, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard on the radio. Dad loved country music and he had it dialed to his favorite station 24 hours a day in that CJ-5."
After high school, DeWayne decided to pursue a music career and attended Indiana State University on a talent scholarship he had received in vocal performance. After college, he decided that classical music was not where his heart was, and went back home and started a classic rock and country band, playing in clubs and entertaining for private parties until the opportunity came to move to Nashville in 1990. "I was lucky because I had a job there before I ever moved, so the cash flow was pretty good and I was able to record my first project within the first year." That first project landed him a deal with an independent label and the release of a single and music video that received airplay on TNN and CMT.
In 1998, while at a local rodeo, DeWayne got the idea of asking the stock contractor if he could perform for the crowd while they waited for the event to start. After hearing DeWayne's CD, the contractor gladly agreed and a nine-year career had begun. From that point on, he started booking his act at professional rodeos, bull ridings, fairs and festivals. Since then he has played an average of 40-60 shows a summer and has been performing full time since 2000. "I have finally found a nitch that no one else is doing and it has created a great way to make a living while pursuing my recording career. "
In the fall of 2006, DeWayne happened across the web site of renowned songwriter, producer, entertainer and former lead man of the Gibson/Miller Band, Dave Gibson. On a long shot, he sent an e-mail to Dave inquiring about prices for recording a new CD project in his studio. After going to DeWayne's web site, listening to some song samples, and meeting him in person, Dave agreed to produce his new project. They immediately started working on the album, Money, Gun & the Bible. "It's an honor for me to be working with Dave," says DeWayne. "He has written so many of my favorite songs and I was always a big fan of the Gibson/Miller Band. I even had the opportunity to record one of my favorite GMB songs, Texas Tattoo, as a duet with him."
Dave and DeWayne have now completed the ten song CD and both can be very proud of the finished product. "This is the best material I could have ever gotten my hands on, and is exactly my style, with a little bit of that rockin' edge," says DeWayne. With this project under their belts, both Dave and DeWayne are looking forward to the future and the wild ride ahead!
YEAH!!! Glad to see that you're going to be in Charlotte this year for Frontier Days!! I will see you there I'm sure!!! God Bless You!! See ya soon!!!!
I just wanted to thank you for the great show you put on in Columbia,Ky. @ the Adair County Fair this past week. It was great and beleive it or not I don't even like any type of country music. You made a great impression on me w/the way you sing your songs. You have a way of making ppl feel what you are singing and then when u are offstage you are still down to earth and mingle w/ppl and that is something I have never seen done even by local singers we have had. I hope we have you from now on. Stay great as you are and I know you will keep climbing and make it to the top of the charts one day.
Hey thanks for stopping in. I absolutely love summer so all my downtime is spent on the water. How are things going with you all? Anything new and exciting?
Hey my love, I just wanted to let you know that being able to be with you the past two nights was awesome! It sure was worth the 2 hour drive each way! I would drive to the end of the world just to be in your arms! I love you so much and can't wait to see you again soon!
