Back in the 1960s you could turn on the radio and hear a country song, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles and Motown all in the same set.
“It was the most fun decade of music,” says David Conley, who tries to recreate that experience as the Sardine Factory’s solo keyboardist/vocalist.
“Aah-ooh!” yowls Conley as he concludes a verse of the Beatles song “I Saw Her Standing There,” then holds up a microphone and calls out, “Let me hear it.” The crowd knows what to do and shouts, “Whoo!”
A music teacher by day, his adept fingers slide across the keyboards in an exaggerated improv solo as his head bobs up and down. If Conley appears right at home, he’s had a lot of practice. Conley celebrated his 20-year anniversary at the Sardine Factory in February. A gig of this length is rare.
Conley attributes his longevity to his usage of a Backing Tracks Module, or BTM which has MIDI tracks that can be manipulated and allow him to sound like a live band.
“Nobody else is really doing it,” Conley explains. “You can get a much fuller sound than just karaoke.”
While expert use of his trusty BTM is evident, Conley’s success has likely as much to do with his ability to not just read a room, but work the room.
During a recent weekend, a patron requested an original. Conley adds a fingerboard attachment and the versatile BTM now looks and sounds like an electric guitar. This allows Conley to move around the room and interact with the audience as he performs his original tune “Temptation,” a modern rock song with a catchy chorus and realistic riffs driving the beat.
Embracing technology, Conley has been able to parlay his musical talent and business savvy into a successful career. When he’s not teaching music, Conley plays regular gigs at two venues and writes and produces original songs with accompanying videos.
“I never dreamed I’d be so successful growing up, and it’s all due to all the technology that we have available,” he says.
Of his success, Conley sums it all up with one word: gratitude.
“I’m grateful they made me feel at home and that it was such a good fit,” Conley says of the Sardine Factory. “I’ve been able to make an impact. I feel good about that.”
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