Georgian Solo Act Plays for Enthusiastic Crowd

hosted quite a crowd Friday for David McLeod's performance, which included lots of rhythm guitar and both creative originals and covers. McLeod traveled to Woodstock from his home in Grant Park for the show.

“I absolutely love playing live most of the time. There is no feeling in the world like the one being robustly applauded delivers,” McLeod said.

During his performance, he invited Woodstock Coffeehouse's music coordinator Robin Roberts on stage to accompany him. Roberts lent her vocals to a couple of songs, making McLeod's set all the more dynamic.

During his early years, McLeod cut his musical teeth on a plastic ukulele procured from his brother for $2. He progressed to learn guitar at age 10, and has still only had two lessons during his entire life. He attended the Marist School in the '60s, but did not complete his degree.

“I went to college to study music but ended up studying girls much more fervently than I ever did music,” McLeod explained.

Perhaps his studying of girls was the vehicle for his songwriting, which often involves romantic subjects. He has no set approach to songwriting, saying that he does not approach songs, they approach him. McLeod recently finished writing a song he began in 1975, which shows his long term dedication to his music.

He is inspired by timeless acts like The Beatles and Duke Ellington, as well as classical music such as Mozart's. He looks up to musicians who remain true to themselves.

“I admire pretty much anyone who puts his truest foot forward: The Fab Four, The Eagles, Springstein, Billie Holiday. I detest performers who intentionally 'dumb down' in order to be a commercial success, such as The Black Eyed Peas and U2."

Like many of his fellow musicians, McLeod does not have any distinct ideas to convey through his music. He said he hopes his audience will take something away from his shows, but what that something might be is different every time.

“For me, music just 'is'," he said. "What is conveyed through it is not up to the performer. It's up to the listener. I know that if you ask 100 people what they got out of any piece of music, you get 100 different answers."

McLeod recently experienced the loss of his brother to lung cancer. He remains hopeful and said he wants others to not take anything for granted.

“I would urge everyone out there to tell the people you love that you do love them. Tell them often, and mean it. Loving and serving one another is why we're here,” McLeod said.

Learn more about David McLeod: www.myspace.com/davidlordmcleod