David Tucker Talks Overcoming Tragedy and Channeling It Into Music With ‘Water It Down’

Country-pop singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist David Tucker has dealt with an absurd amount of adversity over the last several years, but at this point, it seems there's nothing that can stop the passionate star.

David was a rapidly rising new star in the country world when his health started a steady decline and he was forced to put a halt on his musical career. It was only after dozens upon dozens of doctor's visits and tests that he was finally diagnosed with the auto-immune disease ankylosing spondylitis, which impacted his ability to live comfortably, let alone write and perform music. Then, the day after he received a stem cell infusion to help treat his symptoms, he was involved in a near-fatal car crash and left in critical condition. It was another six months before he could walk again.

But David is incredibly resilient, and after much time, finding a treatment that works for him and fully recovering from the life-changing car crash, he's back at his passions and making incredible music yet again. He channeled it all into the single "Water It Down," a challenging and vulnerable track that discusses everything he went through, from the accident to recovery, and in the fall, he's dropping a six-track EP. After hearing his incredible story—and his striking voice—we just had to learn even more about his story, and he shared it all with us in the interview below.

Sweety High: When did you first fall in love with music? Who were some of your first influences, and how did your artistry evolve from there?

David Tucker: Well, I'm a preacher's son, so I began to really fall in love with music when I started playing and singing in my father's church as a young kid. My mother was also the worship team leader and helped involve me in lots of music.

Some of my first influences early on were John Denver, John Mayer and Keith Urban. Their ability to tell stories through music fascinated me. Not to mention their skill and natural musical ability—wow. It just really stood out to me. After losing my younger brother when I was 12, I started to use writing as my primary coping method. It became my outlet to express my grief and pain. That's what really got me into storytelling through music. Not too long after, I went from performing in our church as a kid to writing and playing my own original songs. Right after high school, I began putting a band together, performing and touring for anyone who would listen and trying to really get out there and make a name for myself in my home state of Kentucky. After a couple years of doing that, I decided to pack my bags and move to Nashville to further chase my dreams as an artist.

(Photo credit: Doltyn Snedden/DS Creatives Agency)

 

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SH: You've faced some serious health setbacks, both in terms of your autoimmune disease and your car accident. What has it taken to persevere through all of that, and how have you worked back to where you are today?

DT: It's hard to put in words how difficult it truly felt during those times of pain and suffering. It felt like an eternity at times, with no end in sight. It really took a toll on my confidence, especially with all of the "unknowns." Had it not been for my incredible support team behind me, I would've never been able to push through and persevere the way I have. My family, friends and my faith carried me through that time of my life (and continue to do so), boosting my determination and drive to not only get my health back, but my music career as well. I had to live with the mindset that there was no other option and I was never going to give up on my dreams because of that adversity and everything that I went through.

 

SH: Was it challenging to write "Water It Down" and channel all of those experiences into a song? What was the most powerful part of that process for you?

DT: It was definitely a little challenging to fit the three-plus years of what I had gone through into a three-minute song. But at the time, I was more than ready to get out all of the emotions that I had kept inside for so long. It's always good to be surrounded by people who can bring the best out of you, and without the encouragement of my co-writers, Jake Saghi and Quint Collins, I never would've been able to share my deepest thoughts and feelings with the world. I think "Water It Down" is also important because, in a way, it was the start of approaching my writing from a different perspective as a result of my health issues. It's an experience that changed me and one that is going to mold my music moving forward and help me grow as a musician.

 

SH: Do you have a favorite lyric from "Water It Down"?

DT: "Like there isn't a knife in my back." Sometimes it feels like we have to hide and cover up whatever problems we are facing in life and just put on a smile, so the idea behind that lyric is something that I think we all face at times.

(Photo credit: Doltyn Snedden/DS Creatives Agency)

 

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SH: Can you tell us about more of the music you have coming up this year? Are there any particular themes or ideas you're looking forward to exploring the most through that music?

DT: We've been in the studio recording a lot of new tunes and also filming new music videos! I can't wait to share them with the world, and I also have some very exciting news to share sometime this fall. Overall, the newer material has a more diverse sound that meshes pop, country and rock in songs about love stories, breakups and just some of the ups and downs of life told through relatable stories. Everything that folks will be hearing more of very soon reflects my own creative evolution, and I've really enjoyed honing my sound and style.

 

SH: Is there any one song you're proudest of writing? Which one, and why?

DT: I would have to say that I'm most proud of "Water It Down." That song took such a huge amount of courage, strength and a willingness to be especially vulnerable in order to write about such a traumatic time in my life. It felt like I really poured out just about everything I had faced and hid from people in recent years, but I'm proud that I was able to be so up-front and honest. And it makes me happy to know that the song may be able to help anyone who is going through their own challenges in life.

(Photo credit: Doltyn Snedden/DS Creatives Agency)

 

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SH: Is there anything else we should know about you and your story?

DT: I think it's important to recognize that while all of the struggles and failures I've had to work through have shaped my story, I never would have been able to overcome them without prayer and a strong commitment to my faith. But I'm more driven than ever now, and all I can say is watch out for what's to come!

 

For more on the stories behind some of our favorite music, click HERE to read our interview with grandson on his debut album, I Love You, I'm Trying.