DAVID HB DRAKE has been called "a gentle troubadour" and "elemental folksinger". His music is inspired by his voyages across Midwestern prairies and the waters of the Great Lakes. He has performed for more than thirty-five years in a wide variety of art forms for all ages. David was named "Folk / Acoustic Music Artist of the Year 2002" by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry and The Folk Alliance Region Midwest presented the "Lantern Bearer" Life Achievement Award in 2003. His KIDSTUFF album received a "Parents' Choice" award for outstanding children's music. A native of Milwaukee WI, David has written more than 200 songs of the Midwest frequently heard on Wisconsin Public Radio's "Simply Folk". His repertoire includes sea shanties and songs of the Seven Seas and Great Lakes, Irish ballads, children's and family songs, environmental music, vintage tunes, novelty songs, traditional folk music and folk classics from the "sixties." David is a regular performer at regional folk festivals, coffeehouses, colleges, and libraries throughout the Midwest. David has toured with "The Rose and Dragon" , "Sweet Survivor", and "Dangerous Folk". He has performed on stage at Milwaukee's Irish Fest for over 25 years. Living his dream, David served as shanty man on the movie tall ship "HMS Bounty", has been both performer and crewman alongside Pete Seeger aboard the "Clearwater." and as musical shantyman / historian / on-board educator for the Wisconsin flagship "Denis Sullivan".