It all started with a phone call to my studio in 1989. In those days, the Yellow Pages was the lifeline of any business, and that’s where he found me. The voice on the other end was raw and rich: “Hey, this is Microwave Dave with Microwave Dave and the Nukes. You’re the only photographer listed that offers Black & White photography. I need a band photo!”
I’d never heard of them and assumed they were a punk band. Curious, I checked the Valley Planet, a local entertainment paper and saw they were playing the world-renowned Kaffeeklatsch bar that evening. To my surprise, they weren't punk at all; but rather a hard-driving blues band playing to a packed house. Little did I know that phone call would spark a 38-year friendship with the man the world affectionately knew as "Microwave Dave."
The Final Piece of the Puzzle
In those early years, I had the honor of getting “the call” for every new band lineup. While Dave and bassist Rick Godfrey were the core of the Blues power trio, they cycled through several drummers. Then one day, they arrived with a kid named James Irvin, who sported a “rooster-spiked hairdo". As Dave put it, James "stuck like a bad penny"—they couldn’t get rid of him, nor did they want to. James became the perfect final piece of the blues puzzle Dave had been seeking.
Living on "Dave Time"
Whether you met Dave once or a hundred times, he was always the same: genuine, humble, generous and incredibly giving of his time. Dave never met a stranger, and if you were out with him and his uber driver, you’d better not be in a hurry.
I called it “Dave Time.” Everyone wanted to meet and speak with him, and Dave, without hesitation gave it freely. It was humbling to watch the respect and compassion he poured into every conversation. He was a true legend who never made too much of himself, treating every person he met with the same respect and dignity as if they were the most important person in the room.
A Mission of Compassion, Music and Education
Dave’s passion for students and education began in the fourth grade when a band played at his school. That moment provided an awakening and defined a life’s mission: to share that spark with as many children as possible.
For almost 40 years, Dave and the Nukes have brought the "Gospel of the Blues" into North Alabama schools. He once told me his greatest reward was seeing the sparkle in a child’s eyes when they connected with the music. To ensure this work continued, the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation was formed, providing a legacy that will continue to educate and support young students today and in future generations. (microwavedavemef.org).
The Musician’s Musician
Dave’s love for Huntsville and the music community was legendary. He “reluctantly” was the first musician to receive a mayoral proclamation in his honor in 2015 and a key to the city. Soon after, "Microwave Dave Day", a music festival was established where he used the key as a slide. He never believed he was worthy of any of the accolades and recognition, always choosing the path of humility.
Dave was a “musician’s musician,” attending as many local shows as humanly possible during his free time and constantly offering his love and encouragement. I’d often see him pull cash from his overalls to secretly pad a tip jar.
Whether Dave was playing for one person or a thousand, he performed with the same infectious energy. His 50-year career was a Who’s Who of icons, having shared stages with the likes of Greg Allman, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Johnny Shines, Travis Wommack and Buddy Guy. Yet, he always felt he owed his best performance to whoever showed up to listen.
In 2021, when the Foundation produced a book titled, “I’m A Road Runner” on his life, famed author and Nukes aficionado, Stephen King wrote the foreword, perfectly concluding: “God Bless Microwave Dave. He’s a Road Runner, Honey.”
The Power of Fish Speak
Of all my memories, which would be too many to share, there is one that resonates and illustrates his empathy the best. We met regularly at a local diner, where Dave always insisted on a specific two-seat booth facing a wall of aquariums. He would stand in silence at that one tank when we arrived and again before we left.
Once, I arrived early and requested a different booth. The disappointment on his face was so genuine we moved immediately.
Dave later shared the reason on Facebook: One evening he noticed an angelfish "beckoning" him to the glass. He finally got up and went around to the other side only to realize the fish’s partner had passed away and was lying at the bottom of the tank. Dave was deeply moved by the creature's grief. Today, a small plaque featuring an angelfish in overalls sits above that booth in his honor.
A Soul for Service and Community
Dave was very protective of his personal life, his family, his faith and spiritual journey and his politics. His adherence to the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi brought his love for all living things into focus. His Rector, The Rev. T. Michael Goldsmith of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, said it best: “Saint Francis’ rule of life included vows of poverty and obedience, rules which Dave lived out in his own life. Always with the kindness and openness of a mystic, Dave continually sought a deeper relationship with Christ through his service to others—especially those who felt the weight of poverty in our own community.”
We could all learn a lesson or two about being a being a better human being from him. He not only talked the talk, but he walked the walk! He was the iconic bluesman, the best of friends, and a tireless giver.
He left us far too soon, but he did it his way. Later this year the city of Huntsville will honor Dave’s legacy with renaming a street and naming a dog park in his honor.
BEEP BEEP!