What started out as friends’ getting together for a fun night of recording music has morphed into a songwriting powerhouse right here in Atlanta GA!
The Avant Guard Dogs., consists of Rick Hinkle, Joe Reda, and Sean O’Rourke and myself, Dave Smith. My friend Rick is a bit of an Atlanta institution, first call session guitarist, has worked with the likes of Eddie Kramer, The Tams, Vassar Clements, Chuck Berry, Jackie Wilson, Joe South, Percy Sledge, The Platters, Howard Tate, Jerry Ragavoy,,,just to name a few…..my friend Joe is currently playing with the Rupert’s Orchestra, Joe is also the bass player of choice for many top commercial producers around the southeast. Proficient at any musical style and a Milliken grad, Joe is the consummate professional musician. My friend Sean is second to none in drumming skills which explains why modern drummer magazine has featured him on six different occasions and he has played with the best in the business from Sugarland to Howard Tate to the Aquarium Rescue Unit! Sean is rapidly becoming an equally talented producer/engineer and is serving in that capacity with this project. That leaves ME….. I write/sing/play the songs for this project and am thankful to have such talented friends as these. I am simply delighted! From the old days of Boss Tweed in the 80’s through my solo career in the 90’s, to today… I have known these guys…they are my best friends!
We have been fortunate to re-connect with our old friend Mike McKearn as well. Mike is a gifted lyricist and has been supplying me with words that move.
Dave Smith
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