David Craig McDowell

David Craig McDowell

David Craig McDowell

David Craig McDowell was born at Wake County Medical Center, Raleigh, NC on September 19, 1975. He grew up in Raleigh and attended Brooks Elementary School, Carroll Middle School, and Sanderson Senior High School. He graduated in 1993 and then attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. He first studied computer science before considering various paths which included history, leisure and recreation, and finally music before quitting school. This form of learning just didn't work for David.

After leaving Appalachian, David held various positions in the computer field for a number of years. Today, he is a senior systems administrator at a local firm in Research Triangle Park.

David is multi-talented in many areas but particularly in music. He plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, the didgeridoo (he learned circular breathing in two weeks), clawhammer style banjo, keyboards, various hand percussion (Latin, African, Middle Eastern, and Arabic styles) and his latest undertaking is learning to play the bagpipes. David has a talent for singing as well, but he usually keeps that hidden - at least in the presence of his parents. He also is an avid photographer and especially enjoys capturing lightning bolts in the sky.

Early in his youth, David had an interest in trains and has kept up that interest today. His first train layout was built by his dad in a back bedroom on a 4 by 8 sheet of plywood. The picture below is David coming into the room on Christmas morning and seeing the train for the first time. When he was about 3 1/2 years old, the family was visiting David's Uncle Keith McDowell, who was then a professor at Clemson University. While on the visit to a local park, the picture standing in the red caboose was taken. His sister Susan is in the picture with him.

David is active in a number of community groups and has his own web site at www.turnpike420.net.