Biography
Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and having lived in the Smoky Mountain area of Knoxville, Dave now resides in the Lowcountry of Charleston, South Carolina. Since his first paid gigs as a drummer in a rock band in high school, he has performed professionally as a lead vocalist, bassist, rhythm/lead guitarist, and drummer with several bands over the years. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree, where he was an officer in Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, and he also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. His wife, Christy Landeo, is also a vocalist and performer. They have three children who play violin and piano and sing in their school choir. Throughout his tenure as a professional musician, he has developed working relationships with several national talent agencies, and his band is exclusive with East Coast Entertainment. Landeo has been voted in readers’ poll awards as: – “Best Male Vocalist” in Knoxville, TN’s Metro Pulse Magazine “Best of Knoxville” (3 years) – Runner-up for “Best Singer” in the Knoxville News-Sentinel’s “East Tennessee’s Best” readers’ poll (5 years) – “Best Bass Player in Knoxville,” WIMZ Radio Rock and Blues Awards The wide spectrum of his performances ranges from festivals, club venues, corporate parties, amphitheaters, fraternity/sorority parties, arenas, wedding receptions, birthdays, benefits, lake and beach parties, and holiday parties to just about anything else. He currently has an endorsement with John Pearse Strings (whose roster includes singer/songwriter James Taylor). Landeo has developed into an accomplished entertainer as well as a singer/songwriter. Besides having a repertoire of over 500 cover songs, he has released 11 CDs and several digital singles of all original music: “Funktasia” (2026) Soon-to-be-released “Sand Sessions” (2022) “Funshine” (2022) “Songs From ‘Tiny Heart'” (2020) “Parris Island – The Rock Opera” (2017) “Kool Water” (2012) “On An Island With Nothin’ But A Boom Box” (2011) “Sol Juice” (2007) “The Canine Way” (2002) “She Likes To Shake The Banana” (2000) Contributions on Adrenaline Records (Milan, Italy) Releases “Attack Of The Dragons” (A Queen Tribute) And “Pride” (A U2 Tribute) (2000) “Graffiti Circus – Lemonade” (1998) “Bang Time” cassette (1996) The Sherlock Homeboys “My Brotha” cassette (1993) Dave has performed in concert with or opened for artists such as pop star Redfoo (Of LMFAO), ’80s rocker Rick Springfield, pop/hip-hop act Uncle Kracker, ’60s favorites The Turtles, comedian Frank Caliendo (ESPN, Fox Sports), beach group Jan & Dean, country act Doug Stone, Drivin’ N Cryin’s Kevin Kinney, comedian Pauly Shore, ’90s funk rockers The Spin Doctors, and Led Zeppelin pedigree Jason Bonham.
Redfoo (“Party Rock Anthem”) from LMFAO
Rick Springfield (“Jessie’s Girl”)
“Happy Together” with Turtle Mark Volman DAVE LANDEO & THE SOL BEATS Is An Exclusive Artist With ECE (EastCoast Entertainment). And Dave Is An Affiliate With B.M.I. (Performance Rights Organization).
The Charleston, South Carolina chapter of GUITARS FOR VETS is a philanthropy Dave has volunteered with as a guitar instructor since 2015. Read more about it on the “Community” page. And every year his band Dave Landeo & The Sol Beats, hosts the “TAILGATE FOR ALZHEIMER’S” benefit philanthropy and holds a Christmas benefit party for a cause in Charleston. The most recent beneficiary is the CAROLINA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER (formerly known as the Orphanage), where Dave is also a volunteer music instructor during the summer. Dave has been music director for the Knoxville Marathon from 2005 to 2017 (even as a Charleston resident since ’08). He is in charge of the logistics, booking, and flow of 24 musical acts throughout the city of Knoxville, TN during the event. The inaugural Knoxville Marathon in ’05 was quite the experience. The local NBC TV affiliate broadcast the weekly training of the “Marathon Minute” team, which included a former Olympian, the mayor at the time, a winner of the TV show “Survivor,” a television news anchor, an Ironman competitor, and a musician. Dave was invited to be part of the team, completed the 26.2-mile run, organized the live entertainment, and sang the national anthem for the race.
Endorsements & Gear
Besides An Endorsement With John Pearse Strings, Dave Performs With: TAKAMINE ACOUSTIC GUITARS, FENDER ELECTRIC GUITARS, PEAVEY AMPLIFIERS, LEE OSCAR HARMONICAS, MACKIE MIXER AND SPEAKERS (DLM SERIES), FULLTONE GUITAR PEDALS, And T.C. ELECTRONIC GUITAR PEDALS.
Dave made contributions to this publication: “Cumberland Avenue Revisited” is the first and only 40-year anthology of the Knoxville, Tennessee music scene. Over 100 of the best writers, artists, musicians, and scenesters contributed memoirs, essays, anecdotes, and good-natured mythologizing about the Knoxville music scene.
Concept Album Projects: Dave has completed his first concept album project, titled “Parris Island – The Rock Opera,” which tells the story of a Marine recruit’s journey through boot camp training. The picture below is from the first stage production of Parris Island (performed by the band), and the YouTube clip is a song selection from the album. Read more about the project in the “Studio” section of the website.
Performing 280-plus gigs every year, Landeo takes pride in playing three- to four-hour power shows, usually with no breaks. Not just an ordinary performer, Dave’s approach is anything but orthodox. Every show is an adventure, and you never know what will happen, so just expect a great time!
