You’ve almost certainly heard Dave Starns sing or play an instrument. Born in New Orleans, he moved to Los Angeles to attend film school, and subsequently spent 11 years in the industry, working as a studio musician, recording engineer and producer. Much of that time was spent working as a video director and editor for Rhino Records. In addition to playing on and/or producing albums and scores for film and television, Dave wrote and performed music for advertising. He wrote jingles for everything from breakfast cereals to Municipal Zoos, receiving his first CLIO Award nomination in 1985.

He also worked as a performer in projects of his own. As a performing artist, Dave has been signed to three major record labels (MCA, Polygram and Rhino/Warner Bros.) with two different bands, “Big Daddy” and “Jump in the Water.” In the mid 80’s, he scored a top-five hit in England, and subsequently toured both America and the UK.

He’s been interview by (or written about in) a host of publications, including People, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Stereo Review, Spin and even The National Enquirer.

The list of clients Dave worked with in one or more of his many capacities during those years is daunting: the Disney Channel, Rod Stewart, Universal Pictures, Steven Stills and Graham Nash, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Turtles, CBS, Elvira (Mistress of the Dark), Little Richard, Los Lobos, Chris Isaak, The Manhattan Transfer, 311, Bobby “Boris” Picket, Nickelodeon, Jesse Ventura, Ray Manzerak (of the Doors), Edgar Winter, NBC, Pete Anderson, Jackson Browne, Billy Vera, The Monkees, Joe Frazier (yes, the boxer), Linda Rondstadt, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Brian Wilson, Warner Bros., and Jay Leno.

Dave was busy. Too busy. Ever the Beatle fan, he often found himself singing the lyrics to “It’s All too Much,” and finally decided to return to Louisiana to teach college (at Southeastern Louisiana University). He still remains marginally involved in the Industry (Dave can be heard most recently on the soundtrack to the feature film, Guess Who, starring Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac), but is currently devoting most of his spare energy to helping make Sgt. Pepper into a world-class presentation of his favorite music.