David Starr Covers U2’s “One”
Final Single in Year-Long Touchstones Project
NASHVILLE, TN (Thursday, October 21)...Americana singer/songwriter David Starr culminates his year-long Touchstones project with a stunning version of U2’s “One.” Starr’s vocals shine on the emotional track layered with electrics, fiddle, and piano for a fresh take on the favorite. The single is available now across all streaming platforms.
What began as a passion project during quarantine has become one of Starr’s most prolific endeavors to date. Starting in November 2020 with a cover of “Every Kind of People” (Robert Palmer), Starr has consistently released one single a month ending with the crown jewel of the project - “One.” It is a message as present as ever, giving listeners a bittersweet moment to look back upon where we are today compared to November of last year.
"Wrapping up the Touchstones project I wanted to save this one for last. It is everything I love in a song - powerful lyrics, inspiring chord changes; it comes from a place of real emotion and passion,” Starr shares. “For me the ultimate bar is to write a song like it someday. From what I understand, it was written during a time when U2 was going through some dysfunction, and maybe almost splitting up, but they came together. I think we could all use a message like it right now. We are not all the same, but we are one."
The track features Starr on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Mark Prentice on bass and keyboards, Dan Dugmore on electric guitar, Matt Bubel on drums, John Prentice on electric guitar, Martha Ditto on cello, Jimmy Mattingly on fiddle, and Michelle Prentice on vocals. The forthcoming full video of “One” will feature the musicians on the song coming together for the first time since it was first recorded.
Starr is set to release all of the singles from Touchstones as an album before the end of the year, celebrating with a full band show in Nashville, TN November 17th at Indo Nashville (632 Fogg St. Nashville, TN 37203). The show will feature the full record played start to finish as a live band version.
ABOUT DAVID STARR
David Starr possesses “a compelling voice, something truly special, both accessible and passionate” (Elmore), that has been honed releasing ten albums, touring internationally, and opening shows for esteemed artists such as John Oates (Hall & Oates), Karla Bonoff, The Steel Wheels, Survivor, and more. His new project, Touchstones, will feature a new digital single release every month for one year. During a year where COVID-19 stopped the world in its tracks, Starr took time to reflect on and experience anew the music that shaped his own. Touchstones follows Starr’s acclaimed February 2020 record, Beauty and Ruin. Produced and arranged by John Oates, the collection of songs was inspired by Of What Was, Nothing Is Left, a novel written by Starr’s grandfather in 1972. Starr’s prestige extends beyond the stage as well, having launched Starr’s Guitars in Little Rock in 1998, then relocating to Cedaredge in 2001. Today, the store is such an institution that Cedaredge proclaimed the musician’s birthday as David Starr Day in 2016. Starr was also instrumental in the 2018 opening of the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center, an intimate event space brought to fruition through strong community support.