Bluegrass music star David Davis dies from injuries following car accident
David Davis, 63, of Cullman, Ala., who led the Warrior River Boys since 1984, and his wife Cindy were involved in an automobile accident near Snead, Ala. at 5:50 p.m. on September 15, 2024. He died from the injuries sustained in the crash while in transport to a local hospital. His wife Cindy was hospitalized following the accident, according to Alabama State Troopers.
Davis and his highly acclaimed band most recently appeared at the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration at the Bill Monroe Homeplace in Rosine, Ky. on Thursday, Sept. 12 where he was recognized for his 40 years leading the band, according to Warrior River Boy Marty Hays.
Davis, who played mandolin and sang lead and tenor vocals, was considered one of his generation’s continuing links to the stylings of Bill Monroe and Appalachian roots music. He often taught those stylings at special mandolin events to all ages.
It was through his efforts that he carried on a family tradition passed down from his father and two uncles. His uncle Cleo was the very first of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys. Through David’s efforts he continued the long-running Alabama band beginning in the 1960s.
The Rounder Recording recording artist received wide acclaim from his pre-2020 release “Didn’t He Ramble: Songs of Charlie Poole,” a tribute to the legendary acoustic music artist. In June 2018, the group led the Folk Artist chart as top artist with the top album and debuted at number four on the Billboard’s bluegrass album chart.
After a couple of Rounder label projects in the early 90’s, he guided recordings on Ray Davis’ Wango label throughout the decade and into the early 2000’s. These legendary “Basement Recordings” have garnered a cult following over the years, many sides resurfacing on the Time Life label.
David and the band snapped up rave reviews such as “…sure-fire picking and train whistle harmonies…” from USA Today with their self-titled 2004 Rebel Records release.
Their “White Album” was indeed a turning point for the band, describing Davis as “an excellent instrumentalist in the Monroe style of mandolin, … among the most emotive, capable and underappreciated singers in Bluegrass” (Sing Out).
Their highly acclaimed Rebel releases “Troubled Times” and “Two Dimes and A Nickel” took the listener deeper into the soul of Davis’s music and offered testimony to the band’s musical evolution.
Another unique 2000 album “God’s Children” from Crimson Records combined he and actor/entertainer Randall Franks in an Appalachian brother-duet style gospel project featuring Franks on guitar and Davis on mandolin with WRB Marty Hays on bass.
Davis said in a recent release that what he was trying to do with his band was to create a traditional sound that would appeal to larger audiences beyond bluegrass.
“I wanted to pull from my influences from the Louvin Brothers to Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, to honor their contributions but at the same time forge a path and sound for myself in the country music industry where many artists simply mimic whatever seems to be popular at the moment,” he said. “Millions of people, from all backgrounds in countries around the world still tap their toes when they hear Flatt and Scruggs, they are still moved by the high lonesome sound of Bill Monroe or the haunting voice of Ralph Stanley.”
Throughout his 40 plus-year career he has stood on stage in front of millions of fans in concerts, festivals, on television and radio.
Davis and the band have received many laurels, both individually and collectively. Davis was a 2010 inductee to the Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, He was inducted in the National Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
Funeral arrangements from the family will be forthcoming. Donations may be made in his memory for Appalachian Music Scholarships at www.ShareAmericaFoundation.org or sent to Share America Foundation, P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.
For more information about the his career, visit www.daviddavisandwrb.com .
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