David M. Bailey

Born to Presbyterian missionaries stationed in Beirut, Lebanon, David M. Bailey took up classical guitar and began composing songs at thirteen. During his teenage years he relocated repeatedly across Europe and completed his first studio sessions while based in Germany. By the time he returned to the United States for college he was already an experienced touring musician, and he soon formed the folk duo Bailey & Deasy. After graduation he stepped away from music for a decade to pursue a corporate career. In 1996 physicians diagnosed him with an inoperable brain tumor and gave him roughly twelve months to live. The prognosis prompted an immediate return to performance; the next year he independently issued his first solo recording, Peace. That same development relaunched his career as a solo artist and steered his writing toward deeper, spiritually focused material. During the ensuing four years he produced, recorded, and toured behind four albums—Love the Time (1998), One More Day (1999), Peace (2000), and Life (2000)—steadily building recognition on the national singer-songwriter and folk circuit. Each successive release broadened his audience and heightened critical regard. Named a 1999 Kerrville NewFolk finalist, Bailey has appeared on CBS, Fox, and NPR outlets nationwide and has been profiled in U.S. News & World Report, Coping, Presbyterians Today, Songwriter’s Monthly, and American Songwriter.