Dave LaGrande is a professional musician with over 25 years of experience, including 13 years in Nashville's music scene. He has worked with a variety of artists, making a significant impact in the industry. His resume includes collaborations with notable performers like Tiffany, Jelly Roll, John Berry, Shaun Murphy, Heidi Newfield, Darius Rucker, and Stan Lynch of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, as well as the band Sister Hazel. Dave has appeared on prominent shows such as The Today Show, The Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and the Academy of Country Music Awards. He has also played at the Grand Ole Opry many times and was the keyboardist and saxophonist for Sister Hazel from 2012 to 2023, contributing to their recordings and tours. His talent has made him a respected collaborator in Nashville's music community.
Dave's passion goes beyond his work as a touring and recording musician; it combines music and film. He understands how important music is in telling stories and conveying emotions, which has led him to explore film scoring recently. Dave uses his knowledge to enhance movies, with upcoming projects like the feature film "The Legend of Lake Hollow," set to release in March 2024. His music aims to draw audiences into the story, creating an auditory experience that complements the visuals. His talent is influential in both the music and film industries.
In addition, Dave has worked with the Nashville Filmmakers Guild and Storygive, scoring several short films. He has also created main themes for popular animated children’s series like "Tom the Inventor Truck" and "Robofuse," available on Roku and YouTube via production company, Amuse Animation. This diverse work highlights Dave's commitment to blending music with visual storytelling across different platforms.
In 2023, Dave was hired by a leading educational publisher to rewrite and improve musical content for their vocabulary curriculum. This project required musical knowledge and an understanding of education principles. Using his music education and production experience, Dave paid close attention to detail while creating engaging musical pieces designed according to the client’s brief and requests. He also effectively guided child vocalists to perform in ways that best served the project. His commitment to providing valuable educational experiences through music significantly contributed to the project's success, positively affecting the client’s curriculum and its students. The content for this project is slated for release in 2026.