Life on the road can be tough for singer/songwriter Patrick Davis. Or maybe that's what the 28-year-old entertainer, reared in Camden, S.C., would like for you to think.
For instance, he had to spend two days in mid-May killing time sunbathing and drinking in Key West, Fla., while performing two nights at the 10th annual Hog's Breath Saloon Key West Songwriters' Festival. You know that had to be rough.
Then he had to fly to Delaware to perform a show with country singer Pat Green (Wave on Wave) before heading for shows in Maryland and New Jersey. Then it was back to Key West for more shows before going to Memphis, Tenn., for a show with fellow South Carolinians Hootie & The Blowfish.
It makes you wonder just how much tougher his life can get. Poor boy!
He did manage in his second Key West engagement to break away from a late lunch and call to talk about his show Friday in The Mission nightclub, 1157 Broad St. Cover charge is $10.
"I'll have a full band with me this time," said Mr. Davis, who usually has been seen locally in acoustic sets. "I think this will be the fifth time I've been to Augusta in the past two years.
"The first time was with Edwin McCain at the Red Lion Pub, and it closed. I also played The Blind Pig, and it closed."
Although Mr. Davis grew up in Camden listening to such classic rock acts as The Beatles, Gram Parsons and The Allman Brothers, he equally loves country acts such as Lyle Lovett and Hal Ketchum.
Mr. Davis often is described as a country-rock artist although he doesn't like labels.
"That just comes from the way I sing," he said. "When I open my mouth, I tend to hit more of the country side of the equator than the rock 'n' roll side."
He has been performing lately with several country acts, including his good friend Jedd Hughes (with whom he will perform Nov. 22 in the Imperial Theatre),, and also with the Grand Ole Opry's newest member, Dierks Bentley.
Mr. Davis didn't start playing music until right before leaving Camden to study at the University of South Carolina in 1996. That seems strange, considering that his father, Rusty Davis, is an excellent guitarist who owns a music store in Camden.
"I played sports growing up - baseball, football and basketball - year round," he said. "I just never sat down and played. I was about 16 or 17 when I started figuring out a few chords, and about 19 or 20 when I got serious about wanting to play."
One of Mr. Davis' joys is getting to perform shows with his father in Camden. His father will join him for the show at The Mission and most likely for some sessions on his second CD, which he plans to begin in November.
Don Rhodes has written about country music for 34 years. He can be reached at (706) 823-3214 or at don.rhodes@morris.com.
Listen up
Who: Patrick Davis, with Joe Stevenson
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Where: The Mission, 1157 Broad St.
Cost: $10
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