Meet Dave Hamilton, Indie Musician, AKA: Mr. Dave, Kindie Musician

Posted by: Doug Hazelrigg

www.redecatur.com

By night, he’s Dave Hamilton, a serious and topical Indie Pop-Rock musician. By day, in contrast, he’s “Mr. Dave,” a whimsical and charismatic “Kindie” children’s music performer. A graduate of Mt Zion High School Class of ’92, a member of the award-winning Swingsations show choir, Millikin University School of Music graduate, boy band competitor on Star Search, and former leader of Decatur band 56 Hope Road, Hamilton has an impressive resume.

Today he resides in Chicago, where there’s both a robust Indie scene and a vibrant Kindie scene. His day job consists of inspiring little kids to learn, sing, and play music in a class called “Wiggleworms” at the much-beloved Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago; he also leads a similar class at the Chicago location of Sprout San Francisco, a “natural and organic children’s boutique.”  The cover of his last Kindie album features him flying through the air, complete with cape and superhero outfit. The music is similarly magical, especially “Squash,” which features a little kid engaging in some adorable call-and-answer with Mr. Dave. He also has a new kid’s album coming out soon titled “Come On In”  –you can audition two cuts, “Come On In” and “Paddy Cake,” from it below.

On the adult side, his last album “Crow and Raven” earned him some attention from the Fox and CBS TV networks, who signed him to pen music for them. Although his roles as children’s musician and adult musician are intended for distinct audiences, they’ve had a mutually positive effect on each other: “A gig is a gig. I feel the repetition of my kids music has definitely built up my chops for my adult music. And it’s taught me how to perform, because children are so honest with their opinions.” This is one musician to whom people can say “Don’t quit your day job” and it won’t be an insult.