David Zollo

David Zollo is an American singer, songwriter, author, and recording artist, playing piano and organ on his own albums and for other artists.

For the author of Songwriters on Songwriting, see Paul Zollo.
David Zollo
Born (1969-08-16) August 16, 1969
Iowa City, Iowa
GenresRock music
Occupation(s)Musician, Author
InstrumentsPiano, organ
Years active1992–present
LabelsTrailer Records
Associated actsHigh & Lonesome, Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey, Todd Snider
Websitedavezollo.com

Biography

Early years

Iowa native Zollo learned piano at age 4. His grandfather E. Payson Re was a New York jazz pianist.[1] Zollo's music tastes were influenced by his father's extensive collection of vintage American music, and while in his teens he sang rhythm and blues songs for family and friends.[2]

High and Lonesome

In 1992, Zollo founded the Iowa City pub rock band High and Lonesome (named for a Jimmy Reed song).[3] Members included Zollo, Ruari Fennessy (guitar), Dustin Conner (bass), Darren Mattews (guitar), and Jim Viner (drums). High and Lonesome released three albums on Zollo's Trailer record label: Alackaday, Livefromgabes, and For Sale or Rent, all produced by Zollo and Bo Ramsey.[4]

Though they occasionally play reunion shows, the band dissolved while Zollo recovered from throat surgery.[5] Zollo then formed the band Dave Zollo and the Body Electric.[6][7]

In 1996, Zollo moved to Nashville, joining Todd Snider's Nervous Wrecks band. When Snider downsized his band in 1997, Zollo returned to Iowa City.[4]

Solo career

In 1994, Zollo released his first solo album The Morning Is A Long Way From Home, produced by Bo Ramsey.[3]

His 1998 album Uneasy Street began as a High and Lonesome recording, but was released as Zollo's solo album. It featured Ramsey, Andy Carlson (guitar, fiddle), Marty Christensen (bass), and Eric Griffin (bass).[8]

In 2002, Zollo released the album Big Night, on which he wrote all but one song. Helping out were Ramsey, Eric Straumanis (vocals, guitar), Jon Chamberlain (guitar), Chris Winter (guitar), Dale Thomas (steel guitar), Steven Howard (bass), Brad Engeldinger (drums), and Eric Griffin (percussion).[3]

For Hire in 2014 was Zollo's first recording since leaving Trailer Records. The band included Zollo, Hward, Brian Cooper (drums), and Randall Davis (guitars, lap steel guitar).[9]

Trailer Records

Inspired by the example of local artists' collective Shed Records, Zollo founded and operated Trailer Records from 1994 until 2005. Trailer Records released albums by Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey, High and Lonesome, Pieta Brown, Brother Trucker, and Kelly Pardekooper. In 2005, with Zollo’s vocal chords fully recovered, he closed down Trailer Records to focus on touring and recording.[2][4]

Middle Western

Zollo met Iowa musician William Elliott Whitmore when Whitmore gave Zollo a demo tape, and sat in with High and Lonesome in 1996.[10] Since then, the two have performed shows together, and Zollo has played on Whitmore's albums.[11]

Zollo and Whitmore formed the band Middle Western in 2016, and planned to record an album.[12] Other members of Middle Western include Stephen Howard (guitar, bass), Stevie Doyle (guitar, bass), and Brian Cooper (drums).[13]

Discography

Solo albums
  • 1994: The Morning Is A Long Way From Home (Trailer)
  • 1998: Uneasy Street (Trailer)[14]
  • 2001: The Big Night (Trailer)[15]
  • 2014: For Hire (self-released)[16]

High and Lonesome
  • 1992: Alackaday (Trailer)
  • 1994: Livefromgabes (Trailer)
  • 1997: For Sale or Rent (Trailer)[17]

For Bo Ramsey
  • 1997: In the Weeds (Trailer)

For Todd Snider

For Greg Brown

As producer
  • 2004: Brother Trucker - Something Simple (Trailer)
  • 2004: The Pines: The Pines (Trailer)
  • 2005: BeJae Fleming - Destination Unimportant (Trailer)

Also appears on
  • 1996: Tom Jessen's Dimestore Outfit - Redemption (Trocadero)
  • 1999: Dave Moore - Breaking Down To 3 (Red House)
  • 2000: Kelly Pardekooper and the Devil's House Band - Johnson County Snow (Leisure Time)
  • 2000: Dick Prall - Somewhere About Here (White Rose)
  • 2002: Shoe Money - Misspent Youth (Cowtown)
  • 2004: Patrick Brickel - Songs from the Pink Sofa (Trailer)
  • 2004: The Pines - The Pines (Trailer)
  • 2009: William Elliott Whitmore - Animals in the Dark (ANTI-)
  • 2015: William Elliott Whitmore - Radium Death (ANTI-)
gollark: One could say it's kind of bees.
gollark: English is very flexible about horribly misusing words.
gollark: That's obviously insulty but in a weird way, it's better to be more surreal.
gollark: "Utter octahedron" and such.
gollark: I like to insult people in ways which leave them confused and wondering if they've been insulted.

References
  1. Friedrich, John (May 10, 2005). "Founder of Iowa record label holds onto dream of helping musicians despite his massive debt". Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  2. Brent Stockton (Jan 26, 2012). "It's about the song for Zollo". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  3. Jennifer Wilson (February 28, 2002). "David Zollo - Trailer made". No Depression. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  4. Billy Rose (October 4, 2015). "David Zollo". Independent Midwest Music. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  5. Let us Fettkether (May 6, 1996). "Popular Iowa City band High and Lonesome release new CD this year". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  6. Stefan Juran (July 18, 2013). "High & a Little Bit Lonesome". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  7. Rich Benson (June 2, 2001). "David Zollo and The Body Electric". Blues Onstage. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  8. Geoff Melton (January 1, 2000). "David Zollo: Uneasy Street". In Music We Trust. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  9. Mark Simmett (October 12, 2014). "Featured Release This Week From David Zollo & The Body Electric". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  10. Joe Lawler (July 5, 2017). "No pressure: Iowa greats Whitmore and Zollo unite for 80/35 set". Des Moines City View. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  11. Bob Saar (March 4, 2017). "Whitmore and Zollo rock the Tower". The Hawk Eye. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  12. Amanda Hancock (March 1, 2017). "Five acts at Daytrotter Downs to know before you go". Quad City Times. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  13. Lindsey Moon; Charity Nebbe (April 20, 2016). "First Listen: 'Help Me' by David Zollo & William Elliott Whitmore's new band 'Middle Western'". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  14. Jim Musser (December 31, 2008). "David Zollo - Uneasy Street". No Depression. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  15. Michael Berick. "David Zollo: The Big Night". Country Standard Time. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  16. Scott Harold Samuelson (April 22, 2011). "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking". Billy and Dad's Music Emporium. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  17. John Kenyon (June 30, 1996). "High and Lonesome - A bar band without the bar". No Depression. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
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