David Vaters – Journeys into creation

A few years later I had a chance—or, I would call a divine appointment—while visiting my friend who had just married a music producer named Dan Cutrona. Before leaving, he asked if I had a copy of any of my work, so I threw him a copy and drove home. By the time I got home he called and said he wanted me to make a record and that he had everything lined up in England. So, I was given the opportunity to go to England and record an album with Cutrona (Larry Norman, Joe Cocker, Bee Gees), the late-great Norman Barrett (Paul Young, Larry Norman, Cliff Richard), Dave Markee, and Henri Spinetti. Dave and Henri were Eric Clapton‘s rhythm section for fourteen years. Interestingly, for several years Dave was a pastor of a church just outside London. That album was never released because the record company we had distribution with folded right after we finished recording, but I’m actually planning to release it very soon.

Fast-forward to the last couple of years, my wife encouraged me to record a few of my recent songs, and here we are today! These project feature GRAMMY and Dove Award-winner Tom Hemby (Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins) on guitars and mandolin, John Hammond (Amy Grant, Vince Gill), Gary Lunn, and Brian Fullen (Peter Frampton) on drums and percussion, Jeff Cox (Trisha Yearwood) on bass, Johnathan Brown and David Vest (Bob Carlisle) on keyboards and producing the album, along with me.

CCM: Wow…what a journey! Although each artist plows their own unique road, how would you encourage other indie or up-and-coming artists?
DV: I could write a book [about this], but then it would be outdated within six-months with all the ongoing changes in the music industry… They have moved from CD’s to downloading and now streaming…but that financial model is having difficulties, so I don’t know what will be next?

I have been fortunate and had a lot of technological and business experience, so that has specifically helped me. What would I would say the to indie artists? Cast a wide net. If you can and crossover into more than one genre, tap into international markets, do proper press releases and social media, build your data base of fans, create quality work with the best people you can find, and stay in the game with prayer and God’s help, you will reach what ever level of success you are destined to achieve.

CCM: Where do you see your career in five years?
DV: Three words, “Only God knows!” Where He leads, I will follow. I have recently produced a new artist, KJ Raney. We wanted to produce a traditional gospel album with a cool Celtic sound that I think is relevant for today. So, maybe I will be producing more as well? I pray that I have the ability to continue to write and record and bring the love of our Father, the Creator of everything, to all that are willing to listen.