HELLO DAVE Chicago-based band “twangs” the airwaves Hello Dave was accidentally formed at Eastern Illinois University by singer/songwriter Mike Himebaugh. Set on being a veterinarian at the time, Himebaugh curiously picked up an old acoustic guitar he found in the garage one day and taught himself to play. Deciding that being in a rock and roll band was way better than veterinarian school, Himebaugh formed Hello Dave and soon started rocking the Midwest and beyond. Big Al Wetzel (bass player) and Mike “Magoo” McGohan (electric guitar) joined Himebaugh and made Chicago their home. HD rocked clubs, bars and festivals in Chicago, toured the country, and the world, gathering fans everywhere they went. Vans, groupies and six-packs came and went, but HD kept rocking on. In 2006, Peter Bauschke joined the band as the new drummer, and shortly thereafter, guitar-player Marty Williamson rounded out the band, and together, they created a fresh new sound dubbed “Chicago Twang.” Known for addictive melodies, ringing harmonies and heartfelt, memorable lyrics, Hello Dave delivers when the roaring guitar riffs mesh with the thunderous rhythm section, and crowds can’t help but get up and dance. A fan favorite, smiles definitely linger when Hello Dave rolls into town. Hello Dave rocks audiences across the country, playing an average of 140 shows a year. They were featured on the 2009 Kenny Chesney Sun City Carnival Tour, for which they played the official pre-parties for five of Chesney’s stadium shows. They have also toured with and opened for such bands as Big & Rich, Little Big Town, Pat Green, Van Zant, Blues Traveler, The Doobie Brothers, and they have been regular performers at Festivals like Country Thunder. Hello Dave brings new fans on board with every stop they make, including 3 shows on last winter’s sold-out Lynyrd Skynyrd/Simple Man Cruise. The band has also traveled the world entertaining U.S. troops, including Afghanistan and two trips to Iraq. The band’s newest material features the radio-emphasis track, “Golden,” the insightful “Waterville,” live favorite “Chicago Twang,” traditional country-groove “Ona Mae”, and the wistful “Hazel Shine.” Mike Himebaugh penned the songs, along with bass player Al Wetzel’s contribution of “Ona Mae,” and with the musical talent of Wetzel, McGohan, Bauschke, and Williamson. The full-length album Chicago Twang is scheduled for release in early 2010 through Mountain Records, the band’s record label founded by Hello Dave’s manager John Wanzung. For more information about “Golden” and Hello Dave, please contact manager John Wanzung, wanzung@hellodave.com, or 773.255.8069, and connect with Hello Dave via www.hellodave.com. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.