A 1995 Seminole High School graduate and full-time career musician, King David, will perform a free concert to benefit Shawnee Rescue Mission 7 p.m. April 16 at Starbucks Coffee, 4725 N. Kickapoo St.
“They are out there educating people about the problem of homelessness and poverty here, and we just believe I should use my talents to help them get the building they need to help those who have been hit so hard by the economy,” David said. “This isn’t just for the homeless though; it’s for everyone to come out and become aware of this issue. Even if you don’t come to make a donation, come out, let’s meet and bring more awareness to the issue and get to know each other in the community.”
David, who is originally from Oklahoma City, recently returned with his wife and manager, Michelle David, to Shawnee from Arizona. His mother also lives in Shawnee, he said.
He said he has performed “community music” — a type of music in which he teams up with mostly non-profit organizations to promote their values within the community — since the late 1990s. He released his first album in 1998.
Among his accomplishments, David said some might consider his winning a worldwide contest for his music, being mentored by engineers at Motown Records or working with Capitol Records in the list. However, he said to him, his major accomplishments all have included helping the community through his music in a personal way.
Although he is on tour currently, with his next stop being Las Vegas, David said visits with Starbucks and Shawnee Rescue Mission staff “really touched me and I was shocked to learn how big the issue is here.”
David said he was taught by his mother and other family members to always ask himself, “How can I use my music to help others,” and that he continues to ask himself that question no matter where he is touring.
“I’ve had offers from major labels but I stay where my heart is and my heart is for helping the communities,” he said. “All of my music is positive and I use the talents God has given to me as a tool to promote these groups and build up our communities.”
David said his current tour includes acoustic music but that the type of music he performs on tour “depends on the part of the country where I’m touring and the cause.”
Those who wish to meet David, as well as those who want to donate to SRM during the fundraiser concert, are asked to bring non-perishable items, such as canned goods, to the show. David said half the proceeds from sales of his merchandise, available during his performance, will be donated to SRM.
“We’ll also be giving gifts to all who come there,” he said.
SRM founder Melissa Blankenship said the Sarkeys Foundation is expected to vote this month on whether to give the organization a $175,000 matching grant to help the mission purchase a building in Shawnee.
“You know, if we had just 15,000 folks here in this area dedicate just 33 cents a day for only a month, that would be enough for us to have the building by the end of 30 days,” Blankenship said.
The mission recently held a benefit dinner, hosted by Gov. Brad Henry and First Lady Kim Henry, in which about $40,000 was raised. The organization needs an additional $135,000 to meet their half of the matching grant, if approved by the Sarkeys Foundation.
For more information about the King David concert, visit www.therealkingdavid.com or call Starbucks Coffee at 273-5164.
For more information about Shawnee Rescue Mission, visit www.shawneerescuemission.com, or call 878-8700.
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
