chris.beckham@gaflnews.com



TIFTON — Seven years ago, David Pearson never thought of becoming a songwriter. Performing was his passion and when the 18-year-old from Tifton trekked to Nashville to pursue that dream, he joined countless others who annually migrate to the country music mecca.

Today, Pearson can finally call himself a commercially successful songwriter. He co-wrote the song “You Deliver Me” which appears on Clay Walker’s latest album “Say No More.” While the appearance on the album of a major star translates into a big achievement for the Tifton native, he said it’s just one step in the path he wishes to take.

“It’s very exciting since this is my first cut,” Pearson said. “It’s been a long process and being an artist and a writer, I certainly want to write for the market. You want to write songs that mean something to you but can be recorded by other people.”

Always taking a businesslike approach to country music, Pearson has adapted his goals and dreams since arriving on Music Row. In fact, he remembers that his father wanted him to write out a mission statement when he was 18, which he did, although he said it has been altered a bit.

“I no longer want to conquer Rome in a day,” he said. “Being in this business for seven years, I’ve learned through writing and performing that you have to be realistic. It’s tough but I feel like this makes a big difference in the validity as an artist.”

The song was actually written in 1998 and was placed on hold by several artists including Faith Hill, Wynonna Judd and Jessica Andrews before Walker decided to record it. Pearson saw Walker perform his song at his Wild Adventures concert last Sunday and hopes it will be the next release off Walker’s album. That’s where the economy and music politics enter the picture.

Walker was recording on the Giant label, a subsidiary of Warner Brothers. But Giant was closed down and the only artists kept by Warner Brothers were Walker and The Wilkinsons. The former promoters told Peason and co-writers Brian Nash and Mike Post that the song would be the first ballad released from the album. Now, Pearson has to deal with a whole new set of decision-makers.

“Clay really seems to love the song,” Pearson said. “He’s a very consistent artist so we hope that Warner Brothers will push him and make it all happen. But there’s just no way of knowing for sure.”

While Pearson is enjoying the success of his song, he will continue to pursue his dream of performing. He said he had many influences growing up — everyone from pop stars such as Peter Cetera of Chicago to classic country artists like Conway Twitty. While pop music has tended to gravitate more toward bands, many male solo singer-songwriters have begun to lean more toward country music, crowding his market in the process.

“I love the country genre,” he said. “They definitely have the most loyal fans. And these are interesting times in country music right now. It had the boom in 1994 and 1995 and there was really nowhere to go but down. Record sales have fallen, but I think it’s definitely still where I want to be.

“It’s all so subjective and so interpretive,” he said. “You’ve got to have a vision and a belief in what you’re doing.”

So for now, Pearson will keep playing and keep writing, hoping to establish his place in the market with his versatility. And he is hoping that “You Deliver Me” will deliver a lot of buzz on country radio.

“After seven years,” he said, “it feels good.”



To contact managing editor Chris Beckham, call 382-4321, ext. 203.