David Rawlings

Who is David Rawlings?

David Todd Rawlings is a professional guitarist and singer. He is best known as the longtime musical partner of bluegrass singer-songwriter Gillian Welch.

David attended the Berklee College of Music and studied with guitar professor Lauren Passarelli.

He is known in his own right as a producer, having produced Welch and bands such as Old Crow Medicine Show. He has recently performed under the billing of "Dave Rawlings Machine". He has also contributed to the Bright Eyes album Cassadaga, the Ryan Adams album Heartbreaker, and the Robyn Hitchcock album Spooked.

Rawlings co-wrote the tracks "To Be Young" and "Touch, Feel and Lose", with Ryan Adams.

David Rawlings achieves his signature guitar sound flatpicking a small archtop guitar. The 1935 Epiphone Olympic that has been his primary instrument was a mid-priced guitar for its time, with a carved arched solid sprucewood top, carved arched solid mahogany back and mahogany sides. It sold for about $35 in 1935. The guitar's lower bout measures 13 5/8 inches wide, and it has three piece f-holes.

The Dave Rawlings Machine album A Friend of a Friend was released on November 17, 2009. Rawlings recorded the album in Nashville, and produced it himself. Co-writers and musicians on the album include Welch as well as members of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Bright Eyes. Rawlings is also best friends with movie producer Douglas Wick.