Dave Brinnel

David Carl Brinnel began working at age 19 as a night club entertainer, performing in venues throughout the northeast. He had the honor of playing piano at two 1984 campaign rallies for then President Ronald Reagan.[1][2] He went on to establish his own radio and television production company, Sound Gems in 1989, creating commercials for The Disney Store, Casual Corner and many other regional clients.[3] The company was renamed Dave's Creative in 2010. From 1997 to 2000 he was the host of "The Dave in the Morning Show" on WRNX 100.9FM out of Holyoke, Massachusetts.[4] He is noted for giving Rachel Maddow her first broadcasting job when she won a contest the station was holding to find him a new sidekick.[5][6] In 2012 he was honored by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association for volunteer efforts on behalf of Glenbrook Middle School in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.[7] He has also written, directed and performed in a musical production, "An Evening of Allan Sherman"; a program celebrating the life and work of 1960s comedic sensation, Allan Sherman.[8] Since 2007 he's collaborated closely with his daughter, Hailey Brinnel, for many projects and performances.[9] In 2018, he released his first studio album, Finally, composed of songs written since 1985.[10] In his 2022 book, Chase the Bears: Little Things to Achieve Big Dreams, former Congressman Ric Keller credits Dave with offering some of his favorite advice.[11]