When David Musgrove was four years old, his father sat him down at the piano and had him sing on his radio show. It’s no wonder why today he’s known as Mr. Music. David’s mom was a published poet and played “all sorts” of instruments. Dad was an Army chaplain during World War II and played in several big bands. Music was a constant around the house.
Since his folks often traveled, David grew up with his grandparents in Fullerton. When he turned 16, his uncle, a studio guitarist, needed a bass player for a weekly TV show. David loaded his “bass fiddle” into his grandmother’s car, and with a note from her saying he was authorized to drive it, he drove to the studio once a week, arriving at 5:00 am for makeup.
At the same time, he met his wife in a high school choir he directed. At 18 he developed his own pop vocal group, which eventually grew to 24 singers with a nine-piece band. He had that group for 25 years. The David Lloyd Singers traveled throughout Southern California presenting weekly concerts, with venues including five county fairs, the Orange Show and the Indio Date Center.
Aside from piano lessons when he was a young boy, David is self-taught, learning from experience. He also conducted music in churches, and served as the music director for five different churches. He fondly remembers directing a living Christmas tree with 90 people and a 30-piece orchestra as well. He taught beginning and advanced band to elementary school students. He toured Europe with his choirs three times, and an album they recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra was nominated for a Grammy award. “I had a lot of wonderful breaks.”
He says he moved to the Temecula Valley to retire, but now “I’m busier than ever music-wise.” He plays at The Merc in Old Town the second Saturday of each month with the Second Hand Jazz Band. He accompanies Rosalie Porter in a duo called Wine Down that mostly plays private parties, fundraisers and benefits. You can find him at Vail Ranch Steak House every Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
He does a lot of solo piano work, especially during the holidays, and has a trio that plays a lot of weddings and anniversary parties. He still arranges for a group that travels. “I love playing the piano and I love interacting with people. That pretty much defines my life right now. I guess I’m just Mr. Music.”