BIO

David DeMarco does not fit the common mold of most artists. Raised a preacher’s kid in a small northern town outside of Pittsburgh, David’s love for sports and music still exists today. “I’d like to think of myself as an “Athlician” or “Musicathlete.” Someone who loves music but isn’t afraid to toss the ol’ pigskin around.”

David took his first game snap at 9 and began playing drums in church at 12. “Although my dad was a pastor, he was also a musician, not to mention an ex-football player. We often ended dinner around an old upright piano singing Ray Charles’ tunes. I guess it was Dad’s outlet, but to me as a young boy, it was the coolest thing to see your dad get down every now and then. But as a teenager, I was still a jock through and through. And a fah-fah-football playa had to keep it cool, especially in the high school choir. Then my brother married a music teacher and she helped develop my voice.”

At the age of 17, David performed his first concert. “It was at a lock-in event. Ya’ know, that brilliant idea some guy had to lock a bunch of teenagers in a gym all night and load them up on sugar and Mountain Dew. So my first concert was at the end of the event…about the time the sugar crash kicks in…3 am.”

As a record-setting high school quarterback, David accepted a football scholarship to Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. “To play on the same field that Joe Namath played on in high school was surreal. But I was a passionate Pentecostal kid studying at a private Reformed Presbyterian college which basically means no drums and definitely no dancing!”

In college, David continued to serve on his church worship team as well as serve other local churches, eventually launching into full time ministry at 22. With moves to Tulsa & Nashville, David invested himself in both the Christian and musical capitals of the US. “Those years exposed me a lot of the movers and shakers in Christian music and ministry. People with great gifts wield a powerful sword of influence. Just because someone is gifted, they can make ministry happen without ever knowing God. Gifts are given by God to glorify Him and empower people. Gifts are for service, not status. That is the line in the sand.”

David’s first three recordings were produced by Integrity worship artist Lincoln Brewster. “Linc and I shared some laughs and still maintain a close bond today. Even amidst Lincoln’s great success, I still talk to his voicemail almost every week.”

Another dear friend of David’s is multi-Grammy Award winning recording artist/producer/worship leader Israel Houghton. “The closer I get to Israel, the more impressed I am with his commitment to personal growth and helping those who cannot help themselves. Beyond the fact that he’s a freak of nature in his industry, the work we do together in imparting to worship leaders is so refreshing. If a cloned myself thrice, I still couldn’t keep up with Iz.”

In addition to his experience in serving on staff and helping pioneer a church, David also holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership and has coached football at the youth, high school & college levels.
“Coaching football allows me to step out of the church bubble and get into the trenches of the real world. Plus it gives me an outlet to use profanity (just kidding).  Beyond the work ethic and team concepts that sports teaches you, it reveals who you really are when faced with adversity.”

David’s works include 11 recordings which include Free to Worship, named one of the top 100 praise and worship projects by Experiencingworship.com. David’s song, In Awe of You, was included on an NBC sitcom and another on the MTV show, Next.

Currently David continues to sing and speak about the love of God, leading thousands in responding to God’s presence. As a songwriter, artist, and worship leader, David has a uniquely refreshing way of connecting people to God. His insight and honest approach challenges the church to return to purity of worship and purpose. With a unique blend of academic, athletic and musical leadership skills, David brings an added dimension to today’s emerging worship culture. A gift that makes him genuinely effective in multi-generational and multi-cultural settings.

David is the official worship leader of The Apex Conference. In addition to being a faculty member of The International Worship Institute, he serves as a ministry consultant to churches & worship leaders, including multi-Grammy award winning, Israel Houghton & New Breed. Presently he is the Director of One Church Worship Academy, an organization partnering with churches, worship leaders, musicians and song writers in providing resources, training and coaching to established and emerging leaders in multi-cultural worship.

Now celebrating 18 years of marriage, David and Ann have three children and reside in Pittsburgh and are very proud Steelers fans!