A degree in business from the University of Arkansas and a diploma from the school of hard knocks on the nightclub circuit couldn’t prepare Dave Dunseath for the education he received when he arrived in Nashville in 1986. “I came from a jazz, rock, and pop background – an ensemble mentality,” he explains. “But in Nashville there’s a separation between who writes, who sings, who produces, who plays on the tracks, and who plays live. It was a real eye-opener.”

Dunseath is a quick study, though, and today he’s got the best of all worlds. When not on tour, he’s in demand as a session player. He’s building his repertoire as a songwriter. And for the past three years he’s settled in behind his drums as a member of Lee Ann Womack’s band, 911.

“I like the band,” Dunseath says. “They’re wonderful players, and Lee Ann has a great voice. She’d only had two or three hits at the time and was playing fifty to sixty shows a year – weekend work’so I took it. Then “I Hope You Dance” became a hit, and the work increased. It’s been an amazing year.” Advertisement