Dave Dove

Description

Experienced pro solo Guitar/vocalist and Bass Player providing high quality worldwide entertainment for cruiseships, hotel resorts, corporate events, weddings private events, parties and bars and restaurants nationwide and internationally.
I am very versatile musician and can perform a large range of styles from across the decades including folk-rock, rock, pop and classic hits either stripped back or with full backing for more upbeat music and I can work either solo, duo, trio or a member of patyyband, folk-rock, band and function band.
Recently graduated with a BA Music Production and ... Sound Engineering I also offer Mixing, Mastering, sound design and composing to a professional standard working with client to create a releasable product specialising in folk-rock and rock genres. Read More

Biography

Dave Dove is an experienced Guitarist and Singer from Congleton in Cheshire. With a rich musical background, Dave's talents have taken him far and wide, entertaining audiences on cruise-ships across the globe. His captivating performances encompass a diverse range of styles across the decades from ambient, pop, rock, folk, country, to the top 40 hits, delighting guests onboard.
Classically trained and possessing an exceptional talent for sight- reading and improvisation, Dave seamlessly adapts to various lineups, encompassing solo performances, harmonious folk duos, vibrant party- bands, as ... well as captivating showbands. This versatility sets him apart as an artist capable of creating the perfect ambiance for any occasion.
Furthermore, Dave's dedication to his craft is evident through his recent achievement of a BA in Music Production and Sound Engineering. This accomplishment demonstrates his commitment to continuously evolving and refining his artistic abilities and is a testament to his dedication and passion for the art.
Dave's incredible musical journey has seen him grace stages at numerous renowned festivals across the UK, including the esteemed Great Dorset Steam Fair. Notably, he had the privilege of supporting Seth Lakeman in 2007, further solidifying his status as a respected artist. His exceptional songwriting abilities were recognised as he emerged as a semi-finalist in the esteemed BBC Introducing competition and later claimed the title of a finalist in the esteemed BBC Shropshire Folkquest Songwriting Competition. Read More

Reviews     (5 Reviews)

Experience

I am a dedicated, experienced and enthusiastic musician and I've performed on cruiseships worldwide including Princess, Fred Olsen and Holland America since 2016 as both a Bass Player and Guitar Vocalist. A recent graduate in Music Production and Sound Engineering through Middlesex University, I am also classically trained and I've created my own arrangements of well known hits from across the decades in my own laid back style..
I have an exceptional talent for reading and improvisation and can quickly adapt to to various lineups including solo performances, harmonious duos, vibrant party- ... bands, as well as captivating showbands. This versatility sets him apart as an artist capable of creating the perfect ambiance for any occasion.
Dave's incredible musical journey has seen him grace stages at numerous renowned festivals across the UK, including the esteemed Great Dorset Steam Fair. Notably, he had the privilege of supporting Seth Lakeman in 2007, further solidifying his status as a respected artist. His exceptional songwriting abilities were recognised as he emerged as a semi-finalist in the esteemed BBC Introducing competition and later claimed the title of a finalist in the esteemed BBC Shropshire Folkquest Songwriting Competition. Read More

Previous Clients

Dep cover - Bass Guitarist for Ibiza in Symphony 16pc orchestra at The Fire Station, Sunderland
Dep cover - Bass Guitarist for Jackson Soul - Motown show at The Grand in Southport - Dec 2024
Fred Olsen - Guitar Vocalist - Bolette, Balmoral and Borealis - 2022-2023
Holland America - Bass Guitarist and Guitar Vocalist - ms Zuiderdam, Amersterdam - 2022
P&O - Resident Guitar Vocalist - Pride of Roterdam (May) 2019
P&O - Resident Guitar Vocalist - Pride of Bruges (July) 2019
Princess Cruises (Majestic) 2019
Princess Cruises - Bass Guitarist - Atomic Party Band - (Royal, Regal and Sapphire ... Princess) 2017-2018
Saga Cruises - Show2016-2017 Read More

Suitable for

Anniversary Party Bachelor / Stag Party Bachelorette / Hen Party Bar / Bat Mitzvah Birthday Party (Adult) Bridal Shower Cocktail Party / Drinks Reception Community Event Concerts / Tours Corporate Event Cruise Ships Dinner Party Engagement Party Festival / Outdoor Event HM Forces/Army/Navy/Military Event Holiday / Theme Parks Hotel Event Private Party Product Launch / Promotion Restaurant / Bar / Pub Event Retirement Party Session Work Social Club Theaters / Stage Trade Show / Exhibitions University / College Event Virtual Event Wedding Ceremony Wedding Cocktail/Drinks Reception Wedding Reception

Meet the Act

I've always had a passion for music and playing the guitar since aged 6. I first started learning with group guitar lessons at Primary School and when I met the deputy headteacher Mr Wood, he played guitar during the assemblies. He also played a Fender Stratocaster and his enthusiasm and energy for bands such as the Shadows really ignited my enthusiasm to want to learn these styles. My parents also had an ecletic mix of music and bands from folk, folk-rock to progressive blues and rock and my dad also played the guitar further fuelling my passion for music and wanting to learn more. So I start ... ed to learn the classical guitar with Steven Caswell who was an amazing and inspiring teacher. It was his patience and attention to detail that helped both my expression and technique and these lessons frequently ran over. It was his faith in my abilities and I took the grade 8 exam jumping from grade 5 in 6 months. This meant I could go onto college where I later graduated with a HND in Performing Arts (Music) in 1997.
Around the same time as I was starting to explore and learn the guitar I also started to create my own songs and use recording equipment for the first time.. My parents first bought me a Tascam Porta 4 track cassette recorder when I was aged 10 and it was the layering and of the sounds that inspired me. All of a sudden I could actually build up my own sounds and listen back to what I had just created. started to explore more complicated techniques such as punch in overdubs, edits, mixing down to add in new sounds. So I saw the transition from analogue to Digital Work Stations such as Cubase, Ableton Live and now I achieved a 2:1 working with Logic Pro and Pro Tools.
Rupert Davis a friend I met through my Dads work helped to hone my craft in songwriting and we frequently had a production line where he would write the lyrics and I created the music. It was this collaboration that inspired me to become create my own albums as a songwriter.I also
Around the same time as learning the guitar, I also learned the Bass Guitar adding another string to my bow performing with the after schools Jazz band and it was this experience of performing with other pupils that helped me with timing, understanding how to be creative in an organised way. This was my first experience into reading bass and I also did this in the HND orchestra we created. Although I didn't have any formal qualifications in Bass Guitar, I decided to audition with Saga cruises to join the show band orchestra and it was here that I really began to become experienced in reading both in the production cast shows, guest entertainers and our own orchestra. I have since worked on Princess, Fred Olsen and Holland America in partybands worldwide. Read More

Additional Information

All equipment is PAT Tested and insured for public liability
Professional equipment and IEM pack
Member of the Musicians Union
For Cruiseships
STCW Training - Expires 2026
C1/D Visa - Expires 2027
ENG1 Certificate - Expires October 2025
Qualifications
BA Music Production and Sound Engineering
NVQ Level 3 in Administration
HND in Performing Arts (Music)
Grade 5 Standard Piano
Grade 8 Classical Guitar

Virtual Services Offer

One Off, Live Virtual Performance, Personally Produced for You

Imagine having an Acoustic Guitar/Vocalist perform virtually and live from your TV screen!

Everything is personalised around you so whether you want an solo set or a full band sound using backing tracks, I can design the acoustic sets around your event or family gathering. I can also create original songs on the fly

Please contact me to request a quote and we can discuss your specific requirements.

Online Guitar Lessons

I'm David Dove, an experienced teacher, songwriter and performer and I would love to share my passion for Guitar and Music Teaching with anybody who has the desire to learn. I am looking for keen pupils, learners and musicians of all levels who require tuition in Classical, Acoustic, Bass Guitar and Music Theory.

I can offer FaceTime, Skype or Zoom lesson's online in either Guitar/Bass, Music Theory, Muaic Production or songwriting. They are like face to face lessons. I can demonstrate techniques, give you tips on your playing in real time and help you learn new songs you've always wanted to play. I provide all lesson materials in the form of PDFs for chord charts, TABs and mp3s for backing tracks and audio examples. These can be sent via email during the lesson and you can download all your guitar lessons, practice plans and any future material from a special section of my website.

TEACHING APPROACH

I approach lessons in different ways depending on the student. I can teach pop, rock, acoustic, country, classical and folk styles and music theory on Classical, Acoustic or Bass Guitar. Some students prefer to learn in a more modern style so I use music charts to develop their improvisation skills while other students would like to learn new techniques and classical style of playing using notation. I always ensure students choose the route they are most suited to pursuing.

Online lessons are normally either 30m or 45m or max of 1hr long.

Please contact me to request a quote and we can discuss your specific requirements.