David Slater

David Nelson Slater (born November 22, 1962) is an American singer and songwriter, as well as a minister. He was the male vocalist winner of the television talent show Star Search in 1987, which led to a contract with Capitol Records. He recorded two albums for the label and charted two singles within top 40 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

Career David Nelson Slater was born November 22, 1962 in Dallas, Texas. In the 1980s, he moved to Searcy, Arkansas, to attend Harding University, where he decided on becoming a country music singer. To facilitate this career choice, he transferred to David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he began performing at local venues as part of a local band called Slater, Wells, and Company. His exposure in this capacity led to him writing several songs, including "People's Court", which was recorded by Ray Stevens. He also began touring as a keyboardist for a number of musicians including Keith Whitley. While doing so, he was discovered by agents for the television talent show Star Search. He competed on the show and was named the competition's male vocalist of the year in 1987, which also led to a contract with Capitol Records. Produced by Randy Scruggs, it included backing musicians such as Vince Gill, Don Potter, Dave Innis (then of Restless Heart), and Earl Scruggs, the last of whom is Randy's father. Slater also wrote several of the songs in the project including the title track. Ron Wynn of The Commercial Appeal was mixed, considering Slater's voice "thin" on some tracks but praising Scruggs's production style.

A second album for Capitol, Be with Me, followed in 1989. This, too, was produced by Randy Scruggs. While recording the album, Slater was contacted by Graeham Goble, then a member of the Little River Band, to compliment Slater's cover of "The Other Guy". This led to both Goble and Wayne Nelson, also a member of the band at the time, providing backing vocals on Be with Me. After this album's release, Slater made a number of appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and also served as an opening act for Mel Tillis at his theater in Branson, Missouri. Jim Fogelson, a music executive who was the president of Capitol Records's Nashville division at the time, noted that Slater's two albums were unsuccessful, and theorized that the singer was "torn" about his career. In 1998, he became minister of Nashville's West End Church of Christ.

Discography Albums Year Album US Country Label 1988 Exchange of Hearts 33 Capitol 1989 Be with Me —

Singles Year Single Chart Positions Album US Country CAN Country 1987 "I'm Still Your Fool" 36 — Exchange of Hearts 1988 "The Other Guy" 30 — "We Were Meant to Be Lovers" 63 — 1989 "She Will" 65 — Be with Me "Whatcha Gonna Do About Her" 75 57