Dear Reader,

 

As I sit here in the studio at DEPIII Music Group - typing out this letter - I wish I had the opportunity to be sitting with you, one-on-one, to convey how grateful I am for sharing your time with me.

 

In the coming years, I look forward to talking story with you as the Good Lord allows - meeting you in-person at shows and interacting together on social media as time permits - sharing testimonies of authentic change by way of Jesus' work in our lives and fellowshipping together through the power of music. I look forward to learning about you - encouraging you in your dreams and aspirations - celebrating your wins - and finding inspiration from the moments that make you come alive in Christ.

 

I want to share something with you that I am not proud of - but that I want to share in humility with the purpose of giving glory to God and to place the spotlight on Him, where it rightfully belongs.

 

Simply put, I would not be here today writing this if it weren't for the awesome, wonderful redemptive power of God and the very real, intimate presence and love of Jesus who came to my rescue on March 3rd, 2007 at a train crossing in Covina, CA.

 

I will admit, it is a mystery to me how God calls us to Him, and how He does so for each seeking soul in such personal, undeniable ways... ways the heart cannot refute. 

 

In 2007 I was minutes away from committing suicide by train when a song came on the radio that saved my life. With my “goodbye note” in-hand and tears of desperation streaming down my face, I closed my eyes and said a "last call" prayer as I waited anxiously for a scheduled train crossing at the end of that dirt road near my alma mater. It was there, alone in my car, that the song “No One Loves Me Like You” by Jars of Clay began playing on the radio. The last line of the second verse into the chorus broke me: "Pierce the heart's emotion and feel the emptiness no more. The emptiness no more. No one loves me like you. No one loves me the way you do."

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In that moment, in the midst of an all-consuming, enclosing darkness shown a pinhole of light from Heaven and, through it, an overwhelming feeling of hope, faith, and love transcended my car. This warmth was a very real, tangible presence and in it I found a split second of clarity and the courage to phone Corey Engstrom, my college dorm resident advisor. Corey barely knew me but was the first person who came to mind: “Corey, please, I need help... I need you to get to the train crossing off Covina and Citrus Ave. I am not in a good place and I am a danger to myself. Please I need you to hurry. I won't be here if you don't make it in time.”

 

Corey came, pulling into that dirt parking lot just minutes before the train passed through the intersection.

 

After sitting with me for an hour or so I asked Corey to drive me to the nearest ER where I spent the next several hours into the early morning talking with a suicide therapist. This marked the beginning of a long road of counseling and ultimately mental and spiritual healing from real trauma I dealt with as a child.

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Fast-forward.

 

One evening September of 2011, in an unplanned, miraculous meeting I've since deemed a "divine appointment", I was introduced to the man who wrote the song that saved my life years prior. Together, face-to-face, I had the opportunity to thank him for his commitment to his fulfilling his purpose as a Christian artist and his perseverance as a songwriter: “Dan, I am standing here today because of you. Because you wrote and recorded that song and put up with whatever you had to do to bring it into existence... Thank you.”

 

We hugged and with leaky eyes we went our separate ways.

 

I discovered I could sing at the age of 26 - shortly after moving to Kauai, Hawai'i in 2013... I can honestly say this was the direct result of dear friend Mitch Milan. Mitch and his wife Sharon opened their home to me to live at when I moved to the island. During that time we became best friends and bandmates (and later he was the best man at my wedding). Mitch is an exceptional ukulele player and was the person that encouraged me to begin playing guitar and got me singing.

 

Before 2014 I had no idea I could sing, let along write music. I didn’t go to school to be a musician. I didn’t grow up collecting music or attending concerts of my favorite bands. Becoming a singer/songwriter was never something I dreamt of doing. When I landed on the island of Kauai I knew three guitar chords - G, C, and D. But God has a funny way of using what little we come to the alter with for His purpose and glory... full circle.

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Since 2016 I have had the honor of having a career as a full-time singer/songwriter. On average, I perform 350+ shows a year both on and off island. While on island, I have the privilege of performing my original (secular) music along with popular cover songs at some of the most reputable amazing venues and resorts Hawai'i has to offer including weekly performances as the host musician for the Grand Hyatt, Sonesta, and Lodge at Kuku'iula. By the grace of God my music has also appeared on TV shows and radio stations across the U.S. and internationally.

 

I cannot say my music/lyrics will ever have the same impact as bands like Jars of Clay. Honestly, I am not interested in fame or fortune in my pursuit of music. Instead, I am focused solely on bringing excellence to my God-given talent and placing the end-game in the hands of my Creator. But of this I am certain - I promise to always bring my best to the craft - to honor the second chance I’ve been given at life because of Christ.

 

This story is the basis of my vision for starting the City Light Collective. 

 

As a former worship leader at a small church on the island of Kauai, Hawai’i I witnessed the joy of giving Jesus the first fruits of my time and talents as a musician, singer, and leader on stage. I witnessed the Holy Spirit do extra-ordinary things when I showed up on Sunday mornings and gave Him my “two fish and five loaves of bread”… Asking Him to take our humble hearts as a worship team - giving Him our imperfect gifts, our simple/bare/undecorated stage, and our passion - and then watching His presence fall upon the body in un-fabricated, authentic, and pure ways. 

 

Although we may use many different expressions of art, the true light and power comes only from the Holy Spirit’s revelation of the Gospel of Christ. 

 

You know that feeling you experience on Christmas Eve when the church sings Silent Night in unison a cappella style while holding up candles together… that feeling of peace where you can feel the Holy Spirit without question…?

 

That’s the hope I have for the experience and wonder of the City Light Collective. 

 

The sound of voices and instruments lifted in unison with pure intentions. Like the lyrics to that song "Heart of Worship" by Matt Redman, “I’m coming back to the heart of worship, because it’s all about you, it’s all about you Jesus.” 

 

In 2018 I stepped down from my leadership role at the church to found DEPIII Music Group & Studios - building a small but state-of-the-art music recording studio on Kauai. God provided miraculously for this studio build - every step of the way over a five-year process as I sought to self-financing the entire endeavor. Since the very beginning I’ve felt the Holy Spirit say, “From this little 200 sq. Studio will come music that reaches the ends of the earth for My glory.” To what means - I cannot say, but I’m trusting Him one day at a time. I just need to show up and be obedient to being faithful in the little things, the little steps He has for me today.

 

I’ve always felt a calling to continue offering my “first fruits” - the practice of using the first of my week and the best of my time, talents, and resources for Christ’s legacy projects or Kingdom pursuits; after all - all this is truly meaningless unless it comes of the Lord and is invested in His purposes/plan.

 

This is where I want to be - my lot, my legacy, my true purpose. 

 

I feel a special calling to continue the writing, recording, production, and release of worship music as the first fruits of my gifts as well as discovering and aiding other musicians who are even more talented than I am but who don’t have access to the studio and marketing/production skills I’ve been blessed with and want to share for the Lord’s glory. Time and time again, I’ve been told by strangers and members of my church, “You’re worship music is anointed. You need to be writing worship music for the body.” My heart is open… I will let the proof be in the pudding - and I will walk forward into whatever calling or shape this vision is to be… I just want to step in faith and allow the Lord to guide it, mold it, and morphs it into what He desires it to be.

 

This is the reason for the City Light Collective - it is my legacy project, my heart, my passion. Ultimately using all this and the power and talent of other brother and sisters of the faith to lead more to the love, passion, and redemption of Christ. 

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Mahalo for your time. Blessings and aloha.

 

Sincerely,

David

Founder - Singer/Songwriter/Producer