Brice Beaird still has music to play, places to perform
Highland Park musician Brice Beaird played what was to be his final gig at Poor David’s Pub with a tinge of sentimental nostalgia and a nod of thanks.
The longtime Dallas music institution is said to be closing its doors sometime this summer after 49 years in business — though a plan may be brewing to keep it open.
Beaird started playing his brand of song there in 2001 after his first solo album, Another Side. But his musical journey goes much further back than that.
Born in Dallas, Beaird starting writing music at age 10, with the help of his mentor, renowned choirmaster Dr. Paul Thomas at St. Michael and All Angels.
In high school, Beaird teamed up with a young Willis Alan Ramsey for more songwriting and performing. After graduating from Texas Tech, Beaird co-founded the rock group The Coconuts, which became popular on college campuses, in local club venues, and on tours of the Southwest.
He performed at Los Angeles’ famed Troubadour and got signed by Jimmy Gilmer to a Nashville songwriting contract. But when prospects of a major LA record deal seemed to dry up, he moved back to Dallas.
“I came back and ended up opening my own ad agency in ’81,” he said of The Beaird Agency. “But I kept playing. And on occasion I could work my writing into my ad work — writing radio spots and performing. And that was a lot of fun.”
At age 74, he remains passionate about his music.
“Last Friday I felt like I was 25,” he said of the gig at Poor David’s. “Music has a way of making me think that.”
Beaird praised club owner David Card for nurturing the music careers of so many performers.
“That’s the greatest thing about David,” Beaird said. “The Dixie Chicks started playing there; Lyle Lovett started playing there. The list would just go on and on.”
One of the more unusual times to take the stage there was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when there was no audience or applause, and only a camera to stream performances online, Beaird recalled.
“It was very eerie, very strange,” he said. “It pushed every one of us to be innovative in some way or fashion and try to make a living at the same time.”
Beaird has a few new recordings in the works — “It’s probably not going to be a full album, more like an EP — and looks forward to playing in other venues such as Opening Bell Coffee and The Kessler.
As Beaird took to the stage with his acoustic guitar the chilly Friday night that seemed to be his last performance there, there were murmurings from David that daughter Amelia might just take over the reins of the club.
As the intimate crowd of friends and fans chuckled and applauded in the amber dimness, Beaird said what might not be his final words at Poor David’s Pub. “This thing about David saying he’s going to close, then now keeping it going again, makes me think, is this like The Eagles?”