Dave Matthews facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dave Matthews
Matthews performing in 2018
Background information
Birth name	David John Matthews
Born	(1967-01-09) January 9, 1967 (age 58) Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres	Acoustic rock jazz rock alternative rock blues rock roots rock
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter musician record producer political activist
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1990s–present
Labels	RCA Sony

David John Matthews (born January 9, 1967) is an American musician. He is best known as the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the Dave Matthews Band (DMB). Dave was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He moved often between South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States as he grew up. He started playing the acoustic guitar when he was nine years old.

From 1991 to 2003, Dave mainly focused on writing songs and performing with the Dave Matthews Band. He started the band in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 1991. He has also done solo shows and helped produce other music. Between 2000 and 2010, his band toured a lot. They sold more tickets and earned more money than any other music act in North America.

The band's 2012 album, Away from the World, made history. It was their sixth album in a row to reach number one on the Billboard charts. This amazing record grew to seven number one albums with their 2018 release, Come Tomorrow. Besides music, Dave Matthews has also acted in several movies. He has won two Grammy Awards for his music.

Early Life and Music Start

David John Matthews was born in Johannesburg. He was the third of four children. When he was two, his family moved to Yorktown Heights, New York. His father, a physicist, worked for IBM there.

In 1974, his family lived in Cambridge, England, for a year. Then they returned to New York. His father passed away in 1977. While in New York, Dave went to his first concert. His mother took him to see Pete Seeger. The family moved back to Johannesburg in 1977.

Dave became a U.S. citizen in 1980. After high school in 1985, he faced joining the South African military. But he was a Quaker and believed in peace. So, he left South Africa to avoid military service.

In 1986, Dave moved to New York. He worked for IBM for a short time. Later that year, he joined his mother in Charlottesville, Virginia. This town was special because his family had lived there before he was born. In Charlottesville, he became part of the local music scene. Even though he played guitar since age nine, he started performing publicly there. He met Tim Reynolds, a local musician, through a friend. Tim encouraged Dave to play his own songs on stage. This led to his first professional music job. He sang "Meaningful Love" for a modern dance show. In 1991, he decided to form his own band. Before recording his first demo, Dave worked as a bartender at Miller's in Charlottesville.

Forming the Dave Matthews Band

After writing songs like "I'll Back You Up" and "The Song That Jane Likes," Dave formed his band. The Dave Matthews Band started in early 1991. He formed it with LeRoi Moore, Carter Beauford, Stefan Lessard, Peter Griesar (who left in 1993), and Boyd Tinsley. They played their first show on March 14, 1991. It was a benefit concert in Charlottesville, Virginia.

A sad family event deeply affected Dave in 1994. This event changed his view on life. It was also mentioned in some of his songs. On January 29, 1994, he played a show with Tim Reynolds. He dedicated that performance to his sister's memory. The Dave Matthews Band's album, Under the Table and Dreaming, was released later that year. It was also dedicated to her. Dave and his younger sister Jane helped raise his sister's two children.

Other Music Projects

Toots and the Maytals with Dave Matthews performing together in 1998

L to R: Reynolds and Matthews in 2007 performing in Amherst, Massachusetts, in one of many acoustic shows the two play as a duo

Dave focused mostly on the Dave Matthews Band from 1990 to 2003. Their music mixes acoustic guitar, bass, saxophone, drums, and violin. In 1994, DMB signed with RCA Records. Since then, Dave has sometimes worked outside the band. He has done solo shows and recorded other music.

In 2003, Dave sang on a song called "Sing Along" for Blue Man Group. Later that year, he released his solo album, Some Devil. This album sold over a million copies. Its song "Gravedigger" won a Grammy Award in 2004. To support his solo album, Dave toured with other musicians. They performed as Dave Matthews & Friends.

Dave often works with banjo player Béla Fleck. Dave sang on Fleck's 1998 album, Left of Cool. Both Fleck and his bandmate, Victor Wooten, have played live with the Dave Matthews Band many times. Dave also sang a duet with Emmylou Harris on her 2000 album. They also performed together on a TV show called CMT Crossroads.

In 2010, Dave played a cover of Neil Young's song "The Needle and the Damage Done." This was at a tribute event honoring Neil Young. The Dave Matthews Band also opened for the Rolling Stones on their 1997–1998 tour. Dave sang "Wild Horses" with Mick Jagger.

Acting Roles

Before he became famous as a musician, Dave Matthews was an amateur actor. He appeared in several plays in Charlottesville in the early 1990s. In 2003, he played Will Coleman in the movie Where the Red Fern Grows. In 2005, he was in Because of Winn-Dixie. He played Otis, a man who works at a pet store and plays guitar.

In 2007, Dave had a small part in the movie I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. In 2008, he appeared in the Adam Sandler movie You Don't Mess with the Zohan. He also had a bigger role in Lake City with Sissy Spacek. In 2011, he was in the comedy Just Go with It.

In 2007, Dave was a guest star on the TV show House. He played a musical savant who could play piano very well. In another episode of House, his song "Some Devil" was played. A different episode featured "You Might Die Trying" from his band's album.

In November 2009, Dave appeared on Saturday Night Live as a musical guest. He also played Ozzy Osbourne in a funny skit called "The Mellow Show." Dave was also in the music documentary Before the Music Dies. In 2018, he voiced Gustavo's father on the cartoon Pete the Cat.

Other Activities

In 1999, Dave bought over 10 acres of land in Virginia. It was called Blenheim Farm. He wanted to protect its history. Later, he decided to plant grapes there. This area is known for growing grapes. Blenheim Vineyards started in 2000. It now makes a lot of wine each year. Some special edition wines have unique labels with Dave's own drawings.

In 2011, Dave worked with winemakers Steve Reeder and Sean McKenzie. Together, they created Dreaming Tree Wines.

In April 2012, Dave was a producer for the documentary Last Call at the Oasis. This film was about water issues.

In 2013, Dave joined a jam session in Louisiana. This led to a new band called The Nauts. The band included Dave, Jakob Dylan, and others.

On May 16, 2020, during the COVID-19 quarantine, Dave appeared online. He spoke at the University of Virginia's virtual graduation. He told students it was their chance to make the world better. Then he sang the song "Singing from the Windows."

Personal Life

Dave Matthews married Jennifer Ashley Harper in 2000. They have twin daughters born in 2001 and a son born in 2007. They live in Seattle. In 2001, Dave said he was agnostic (meaning he doesn't claim to know if God exists). He joined the Farm Aid board of directors in 2001. This group raises money for family farmers in the United States. He works with musicians like Willie Nelson and Neil Young for this cause.

Supporting Causes

Dave has often supported environmental efforts. These include making biofuel available and fighting global climate change. He is also a strong supporter of gay rights. He took part in a project called "Love Unites Shepard Fairey Equality Project." This project supports gay marriage.

In 2008, Dave supported Barack Obama for president. He and Tim Reynolds played a concert called "Change Rocks." This show encouraged students to register to vote. Dave has continued to support various political candidates and causes. In 2024, during a concert, he called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Awards and Accolades

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Dave Matthews Band was honored in 2024. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Grammy Awards

• 1997: Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group – "So Much to Say", Dave Matthews Band
• 2004: Best Male Rock Vocal Performance – "Gravedigger", Dave Matthews

Other Awards

• Most Performed Song from a Motion Picture – "Where Are You Going" (for Mr. Deeds)
• In 2005, Haverford College gave Dave Matthews an honorary doctorate degree.
• 2002: Dave received the Orville Gibson Award for Best Acoustic Guitarist.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
• Crash (1996)
• Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
• Everyday (2001)
• Busted Stuff (2002)
• Some Devil (2003)
• Stand Up (2005)
• Imagine We Were (2005) – as Tribe of Heaven; recorded in 1989
• Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King (2009)
• Away from the World (2012)
• Come Tomorrow (2018)
• Walk Around the Moon (2023)

Live Solo Albums

• Live at Sweet Briar College (2016); recorded in 1996

Digital Downloads

Two shows are available online from the Dave Matthews Band's DMBlive series:

• Dave Matthews Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA (October 24, 2002) – 2008
• Dave Matthews China Club, NYC (01/09/2004) – 2008

Live Albums with Tim Reynolds

• Live at Luther College – (1999)
• Live at Radio City – (2007)
• DMBLive. Prism Coffeehouse, Charlottesville, VA (04.22.1993) – (2008)
• DMBLive. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC (03.29.2003) – (2008)
• Live in Las Vegas – (2010)
• Live Trax Vol. 23 Whittemore Center Arena, Durham, NH (02.19.96) – (2012)
• Live Trax Vol. 24 Spartanburg Memorial, Spartanburg, SC (02.08.97) – (2012)
• DMBLive. Memphis, Richmond, VA (06.13.1993) – (2012)
• DMBLive. J.T. Kingsbury Hall, Salt Lake City, UT (03.03.1999) – (2014)
• Live Trax Vol. 41 Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley, CA (03.13.99) – (2017)
• Live Trax Vol. 48 The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA (08.25.94) – (2019)
• Live Trax Vol. 49 Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center, Canandaigua, NY, (06.18.19) – (2019)

Singles

Guest Singles

Video Albums

Collaborations with Other Artists

Dave Matthews has worked with many other musicians on their albums:

• "Communication" and "Trouble and Strife" (1998) with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
• "Love Of My Life" (1999) with Santana
• "My Antonia" (2000) with Emmylou Harris
• "For You" (2002) for the We Were Soldiers soundtrack with Johnny Cash
• "Iwoya" (2002) with Angélique Kidjo
• "Joyful Girl" (2002) with Soulive
• "Sing Along" (2003) with Blue Man Group
• "Tremendous Brunettes" (2005) with Mike Doughty
• "Love Is The Only Way" (2006) with Robert Randolph and the Family Band
• "Work It Out" (2006) with Jurassic 5
• "Fat Man in the Bathtub" (2008) with Little Feat
• "I'm Alive" (2008) with Kenny Chesney
• "Tomorrow Never Knows" (2010) with Herbie Hancock
• "You Should Know Me", "Oh, Bangladesh" & "And He Slayed Her" (2010) with Liz Phair
• "All the Same"(2011) with Vieux Farka Touré
• "A Pirate Looks at Forty" (2012) with Jack Johnson and Tim Reynolds
• "Walk of Shame" (2012) with Jimmy Fallon
• "Take Me to Tomorrow" (2013) for a John Denver tribute album
• "Forsaken Savior" (2013) with Gov't Mule
• "Sweetheart" (2018) with Sarah White

Images for kids

• 

  Matthews performing in 2018

See also

In Spanish: Dave Matthews para niños

• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards