Can I play?

That was the question I used to ask as a kid, knocking on a neighbor’s door after hearing the laughter and energy spilling out into the yard. I may not have gotten any formal invitation, but with friendly neighbors, I always felt like I was welcome to join in.

That same feeling hit me when my family and I arrived in Wendell. Even before fully unpacking, I could feel the hum of this community…the music floating from porches, parks, breweries, and the people behind it all. It’s the kind of place where creativity feels alive. And once again, I found myself thinking… Can I play?

I’ve always been drawn to places where music feels like part of the fabric of daily life. Los Angeles. Nashville. Austin. Chicago. Cities where a walk down the street means stumbling into a local artist playing their heart out. There’s something special about that…how music connects people and gives a place its unique flavor.

My own path in music has taken me all over the world. I spent years touring with the Drew Davis Band, an original country music project (more on that later) and later shifted into a role as a musical director, which opened doors to performances in places like Spain, Abu Dhabi, Japan, and Italy. Whether I was playing piano in a packed venue or leading a team of performers on an international stage, what’s always driven me is the same thing: creating moments that bring people together.

That’s what I hope to contribute here in Raleigh. I want to play a role, literally and figuratively, in supporting and amplifying the music community that already exists here. Whether it's playing piano at local bars, lounges, or weddings, offering solo performances for special events, or teaching lessons to the next generation of musicians, I’m here for it.

I hope that you’ll allow me to join in on the musical fun and share what it is that I can with the intention of making our community tighter, more connected to each other and the beauty of music.

If you're looking for a professional piano player in Raleigh for your wedding, event, cocktail hour, restaurant, or private party, or if you’re just someone who wants to learn how to play, I’d love to be part of your journey. Because when music thrives, so does everything else: culture, connection, creativity, and community.

So….Let’s make some noise, Wendell! I’d love our new home to (continue and expand) as a place that honors the creativity, time, and heart it takes to make music that moves people.

Like our festival mottos says (again…more on that later): Resonate positivity. Unite in Harmony. Amplify vibration.