No place like home for local musician

David Bradshaw is hopeful that someday his name will be just as well known in this community as Gary Beals and Sidney Crosby.

And although his voice has been around for a long time - he has performed with Alex Mason and Roger Stone as well as a number of well-known cover bands - this is the first time the Cole Harbour resident has found time to put his songs out there in a big way with the Oct. 2 release of his first CD, No Place.

Bradshaw said if it weren't for his wife Robyn, No Place would definitely be "no where" else but on his computer.

"It's funny, I had been picking away at these songs for about three years when I told Robyn that I realized I had actually recorded a whole CD," said Bradshaw.

Robyn then told him it had progressed beyond a hobby and that he had to do something more with his music. And then No Place was introduced to the music scene.

Bradshaw is best known as the senior sales guy and apprentice luthier at the Halifax Folklore Centre. He says being around old time, jazz and bluegrass at the centre gives him even more reason to introduce people to this music that he describes as being very honest, simple and heart felt.

"I spend so much time around instruments like mandolins, banjos and guitars. I like vintage instruments," he said. "It is more of a reflection of older folk music."

For more than 35 years, the Folklore Centre has encouraged the careers of musicians like Ashley MacIsaac and Joel Plaskett. So Bradshaw says he feels it is time for his music, which is a reflection of his traditional Maritime roots and his innovative playing style of vintage instruments to both soothe and entertain.

"People from here are more apt to appreciate music that is not completely digital or an Internet experience," said Bradshaw.

More credits include playing at the prestigious Tunes at Noon show this summer and he has received funding through the province of Nova Scotia's Emerging Music Business Program. Bradshaw has recently formed a musical partnership with popular local group Grassmarket.

And with the success of local singer-songwriters like Dave Gunning and Jill Barber, and the rising popularity of old time and bluegrass groups Bradshaw is confident that his resonant voice, expert finger picking and foot stomping melodies will catch on with the local market.

"This CD is about a time of self reflection for me and a time of growth," he said. "And really, the title No Place is about home. No Place is here and so is my music."

To find out more, go to www.myspace.com/davidbradshawmusic.