Dave Caruso's Music Bio

Dave Caruso is an independent alternative-pop songwriter from Trenton, Michigan.  His influences include: Elvis Costello, Neil Finn (Crowded House and Split Enz), Del Amitri, Ben Folds (Ben Folds 5), Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) and John Doe (X).   For over 30 years, armed with his keyboard, guitar and bass, Dave has performed more than 3500 shows in over 200 cities in 22 states at hundreds of colleges, nightclubs and outdoor venues. 

Dave’s career began as the primary songwriter and front man who fueled the power pop band “Caruso,” which featured Dave and his three brothers, Mike, Joe and Rob Caruso.  Under Dave’s musical direction, the band recorded 2 albums and 6 singles, including "The White Album" and “In the Face.”  On the strength of their studio recordings and their versatile live performances, they earned a spot for two consecutive years as one of sixteen bands in the prestigious Miller Rock Network, sponsored by The Miller Brewing Company.  Through the Miller sponsorship, they soon landed tracks on two nationally released RCA Records compilation albums.  Meanwhile, the band’s growing audience, particularly at colleges, was starting to take notice.

Caruso’s single, “London,” appeared on the playlists of college radio stations all across the Midwest.  They joined the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), and in no time Caruso was nominated—not once, but twice—for NACA’s Contemporary Music Award, an honor and distinction they shared with The Bangles, Huey Lewis and the News, The Police, and Journey.  Caruso opened for such artists as Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, UB40, Burton Cummings, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, and Corey Hart, between their headline concerts to sold-out crowds in 20 states and Canada. 

Dave Caruso has won several awards for national achievement in original songwriting, including top prizes from the American Music Conference and the Songwriter International Contest.  Dave studied Music Composition and Computer Science at U of M Dearborn.  He gives regular songwriting clinics to middle school and high school students, Optimist International, and other organizations.

Dave left the Caruso band in 1987 and formed his own music production company, Aural Contact Productions, to apply his creative energies toward recording and live performance showcases across lower Michigan and in California. During this time, he co-founded several successful Detroit-area bands, including Mr. Happy and Dave Caruso & The Room Upstairs.  Dave’s solo shows include backing tracks recorded in his own digital studio.

In 2001, Dave began working as a dueling pianist under his company name, "Piano Wars!"  He got his start by studying dueling pianos acts in Michigan, Cleveland and Las Vegas.  He has since performed at clubs such as Rum Bullions (Reno, NV), J.D.'s Key Club (Pontiac, MI), Rum Runners (Mishawaka, IN and Lansing, MI) and Sluggers (Chicago, IL).  Under Dave's leadership as Entertainment Director for Pub 13 in Ypsilanti, MI, the club was voted "Best Piano Bar" by Real Detroit Weekly.  Dave is currently the Entertainment Director for Rum Runners' dueling pianos club in Mishawaka, IN. In his first year as E.D., Rum Runners won the South Bend Tribune's Reader's Choice Award for Best Live Entertainment Club / Bar, an honor for which they were previously nominated four years running but never won until now.

In 2002, Detroit Public Television / WTVS 56 commissioned music from Dave for his brother Joe's nationally televised program, "The Power of Losing Control."  Since then, DPT hired Dave to write for additional programs.

Dave's newest single, "Elizabeth Parker," debuted in 2004.  Many who are familiar with Caruso's work call it Dave's best recording to date.  Recording is underway for an all-new original CD album.

Dave continues to write, record and play original music concerts. His web site, www.DaveCarusoWeb.com, is loaded with pictures, audio, and video, and chronicles his entire musical career.