The Creative Journey of Dave Bates
The Creative Journey of Dave Bates
If you’ve spent any time in Asheville’s theatre or music circles, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Dave Bates—or at least heard his work without realizing it. A songwriter, playwright, and pianist, Dave has seven full-length musicals to his name, more than 200 songs, and countless instrumental pieces. But beyond the numbers, what truly sets him apart is how his art connects with people and tells stories that linger.
Dave Bates: A Life in Music, Theatre, and Creative Expression
From Math to Music
Born in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1953, Dave’s path to the stage was anything but direct. He first earned a B.A. in Math Education from Capital University, followed by an M.S. in Math and Computer Science from Ohio State. After teaching at Central Ohio Technical College and Denison University, he relocated to North Carolina, and shifted his focus to music and theatre. By 1994, Asheville had become his home, and he soon established himself as a pianist, musical director, and today, the music director at Oak Hill Methodist Church.
Did You Know? Dave Bates Edition 🎶
First piano discovery: At age five, Dave’s family moved into a bigger home that could finally hold his grandmother’s grand piano. He began exploring the keys that day—and never stopped.
Early gigs: By age nine, he was already the accompanist for his Sunday School class, and later played for church productions of The Music Man and Hello, Dolly!
Inspiration in kindness: His song If I Could Do Magic was sparked by a father’s simple wish at his 50th wedding anniversary: “I want you to be kind.”
Unexpected encounters: Dave first met Chuck Taft when Chuck handed him sheet music at a UNCA banquet—moments before singing the school song!
Critics’ praise: Tim Reid called Apples “imbued with the spirit and energy of frontier America,” while Tony Kiss described Confetti as “a wild musical free-for-all.”
Favorites among his own songs: Magical Moments (for the words), A Zen Blessing (for the music), and If I Could Do Magic (for the story behind it).
Creative Work
Over the years, Dave’s portfolio has spanned both local and national stages:
Musicals written: Confetti, Apples, Kanzan and Jittoko, Seven Singers Singing, Scott and Zelda, Stonewall, Birds of a Feather
Notable productions:
Scott and Zelda (off-off-Broadway, 2000)
Stonewall (workshop production in Manhattan, 2017)
Multiple Asheville premieres of original works
Songs and compositions: More than 200 songs and numerous instrumental pieces
Recent highlight: “A Prayer for This Great Nation,” performed at the “No Kings” rally in downtown Asheville
Themes and Inspiration
Dave’s musicals are united not by subject but by variety. He draws inspiration from:
Ancient myths: Birds of a Feather
Modern political upheavals: Confetti, Stonewall
Historical figures: Apples (Johnny Appleseed), Scott and Zelda (F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald)
Spiritual legends: Kanzan and Jittoko, inspired by Zen Buddhist stories studied in college
As Dave puts it:
“Once I finish writing a show, I want my next project to be as different as possible.”
Creativity Beyond the Stage
In his leisure time, Dave is an enthusiastic knitter and crocheter. For two decades, he has contributed to the North Asheville Project Linus Group, crafting afghans for children facing hospital stays or other challenging circumstances. His other beloved crafts include modular origami and Temari thread balls, both of which showcase his fascination with geometric design.
Sharing the Joy of Broadway
Dave continues to share his passion for Broadway, as he describes it, by teaching courses on the history of Broadway musicals at OLLI College for Seniors and the Montreat Road Scholar Program. For the past twenty-five years, he has also hosted and played piano for a biweekly SingAlong at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville.