.jpg)
Two years ago Dave Hollister, an original member of Teddy Riley’s Blackstreet, surrendered his R&B career. He was confronted with a life or death choice that would lead to his first gospel recording. In order to appreciate the significance of the new album “The Book Of David: Vol 1 The Transition” (Zomba Gospel), one must understand the odyssey that brought him to the doorway of death.
He was on his way from a hotel where he was hosting a show. By his own admission he was driving drunk. His poor mental state was augmented by the eighth of an ounce of cocaine he’d consumed in addition to the liquor.
It all happened so fast.
Topanga Pass, a winding road overlooking a cliff outside of Los Angeles became a maze as he lost control of the wheel. The car crashed into a guard rail. Then he recalls that it flipped three times. Amazingly, the PK (Preacher’s Kid) walked away from the accident unscathed.
Narrowly escaping the kiss of death, Hollister realized he needed to make some major changes in his life. He chose to rid himself of the wanton lifestyle the entertainment world offered him as an R&B artist. The decision was divinely inspired: “God told me if I went back to R&B I would die.”
His so called friends vanished with the past he denounced. “I had money and fame, but I didn’t have God and I didn’t have peace,” he he shares while being grateful for Kelly Price who has been a faithful friend and supporter during his transition. He was fortunate to leave the industry with money in his pocket and the void he felt is filled with a renewed relationship with Christ.
Dave is tongue-talking saved and hopes to disciple others in the R&B industry, starting with a famous neighbor who lives down the street from him in Chicago: R. Kelly. “He’s just confused right now, but I’ve been talking to him.”
Like the biblical David he is a man after God’s own heart and says his hand is on the plow and there is no turning back.
Stay tuned to Part 2 of the one-on-one with Hollister and be sure to check out his new CD on September 26.
Dave Hollister