David "DLO" Outing, an accomplished keyboard player, shares his extraordinary journey into the realm of music during a compelling conversation with Diriki and Anthony. The crux of this episode revolves around DLO's serendipitous encounter at a conference, which catalyzed his unexpected rise to prominence within the music industry. He recounts the pressures of learning a pivotal song in a mere fifteen minutes, underscoring the importance of preparation and adaptability in the face of unforeseen opportunities. This dialogue delves into the significance of intentionality in artistic pursuits, as DLO emphasizes that his initial aspiration was simply to learn and grow rather than to chase fame or monetary gain. Throughout the episode, we explore the nuances of musical arrangement and the vital role that relationships play in fostering success in the competitive landscape of the music world.

The interview with David "DLO" Outing unfolds a compelling narrative of serendipity, perseverance, and the intrinsic value of passion in the pursuit of a music career. DLO recounts an extraordinary moment when, during a conference aimed at furthering his knowledge, he was fortuitously invited to perform on stage by a prominent artist. This pivotal experience catalyzed his entrance into the professional music arena, leading to collaborations with illustrious figures in the industry. What stands out in DLO's narrative is his genuine intent to learn and grow, rather than a mere pursuit of fame or success. He emphasizes that his journey began with a thirst for knowledge, which ultimately attracted opportunities he could not have anticipated.

Moreover, DLO's reflections invite a deeper examination of the current landscape of the music industry, where he observes a trend towards superficiality and a fixation on external validation. He articulates a clear distinction between the aspirational artist who seeks personal growth and improvement and those who are primarily motivated by fame and fortune. This commentary resonates with anyone navigating the complexities of the music business, offering a fresh perspective on the importance of nurturing relationships and maintaining authenticity in one's artistic endeavors.

In essence, DLO's story serves as an inspiring example of how the right mindset—rooted in genuine passion and a desire for growth—can lead to transformative opportunities. By prioritizing the artistry and the process over immediate recognition, aspiring musicians can cultivate a path that not only fulfills their creative aspirations but also fosters lasting connections within the industry. His journey is a testament to the belief that true success is not merely measured by accolades but by the depth of one's artistic journey and the relationships formed along the way.

Takeaways:

• David 'DLO' Outing emphasizes the importance of pursuing opportunities for growth rather than merely seeking fame or financial gain.
• During his early career, DLO faced a challenging situation where he had only fifteen minutes to learn a song for a major performance.
• The significance of intentionality in one's approach to music and opportunities was a recurring theme throughout the conversation.
• DLO shared insights on the necessity of preparation and understanding the nuances of artists' styles to enhance live performances effectively.
• He highlighted the transformative power of music and the emotional responses it can elicit in both performers and audiences alike.
• DLO's journey illustrates that genuine passion and a desire to learn can lead to unexpected and significant opportunities in the music industry.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• John Gray
• Aaron Lindsey
• Warren Campbell
• Israel Houghton
• CeCe Winans
• Tasha Cobbs
• Fast Forward
• Leonard Ray
• Kevin Camp
• Justin Range
• Ty Trippett
• Tori Kelly
• Fred Hammond
• Pastor Mike
• Donnie McClurkin
• Fantasia

Keyboard player for that.

So when you get some time, just look him up and just see the work he's done.

But he walked past.

He walked past me.

He stopped me.

And I'm a fan, you know, I know who he is, but, you know, I'm not that type of guy to be howling people, right?

Yeah.

And he stopped me.

He said, man, I know you from somewhere.

And I was like, no, I think I seen your video or something.

You playing, bro?

You're an animal, bro.

He's like, you want to play tonight?

And I was like.

I was like, bro, I don't know no songs.

I didn't come here to play.

I really came there to see what it takes to be on the next level.

Right.

So many classes were happening.

John Gray, Aaron Lindsey, Warren Campbell.

It was Israel Houghton.

It was so many people that were doing classes.

So I was just like, I. I want to go.

And he said, do you want to play, man?

Tasha, cops need somebody to play for and stuff.

So I was like, a big name in the industry.

All right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And so I played.

And the following year, Fast Forward, they called me to be actual a part of Deeper.

So the year Fast forward to a year later, my stamp and my moment was Israel came in 15 minutes before the show and said, hey, Cece Wine, we doing something for CC Winers.

We need somebody to play and learn alabaster box.

We're not using the tracks.

We're using the band.

Yeah.

And so when it was like, who?

Everybody looked at me.

Aaron, Paris, Leonard, Ray, Kevin, Camp, Justin Range.

All they said, the new guy.

And so I had to learn alabaster box.

And if you know that song, it's not a CCM song.

Like, you really have to sit there and learn verbatim what's going on.

Yeah.

And so it's 10,000 people out there.

I have to learn the intro, the outro, the key change.

Just like the record for the artist, for the.

I was gonna say for season with.

The feature of Tasha Cobbs, because we're honoring the artist.

Right.

And so I was scared.

My dog almost peed myself.

And I only had 15 minutes to learn the song pressure.

And right then.

And then.

15 minutes.

Yes.

Oh, I had 15 minutes.

That's crazy, man.

I had 15 minutes to learn the song Israel.

Israel will tell you.

We had to put him under the fire.

And that moment when I finished playing alabaster box, that moment of relief and all of the homies, like, you made it in.

Yeah.

Was like, that was my.

That was my moment.

That Was my mom.

That's an incredible story.

It's hard not to believe in higher powers when you think of, you know, that moment happening for you just off of a random, you know, instance of you wanting to go to that conference for no reason.

It's not because you're like, I'm going to blow up from this.

I just want to be there.

Yeah.

I just want to be a fly on the wall.

Right.

That's so true, man.

That's incredible.

You're talking about the intention of things.

That one thing that we've talked about a lot is intentionality and the lack of.

And we know what the social media world is.

Everybody's.

I don't shouldn't say everybody, but it seems that people are just after the attention and it's like a me, me, me, look at me.

And in the cases where people really hit it off, like in your situation, you showed up there.

I don't want to put almost like in a desperate place in some sense.

I was sure.

Right.

Like, seriously, money, you need opportunity and everything else is kind of connected.

And you're just like, I just want to learn.

I just want to.

I was just at a place of just being better.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Just wanted to be better.

There's like a pureness coming from that.

Like, you're absolutely.

Yeah.

Was to grow.

You're going to put yourself in a surrounding.

And you know, we do that all the time, Whether it's like self help or music or it's like, I want to be around the people who are doing what I want to do.

So that's where I got to put myself, regardless of sacrifice, to get there.

And then from that intentionality, you get hit with this opportunity, which is like, now it's a test of everything that you've been kind of working towards and hoping to be.

It's like, well, here's your shot.

A lot of people would be like, nah, man, I'm not ready for that yet.

And that's it.

You don't hear that's the definition of luck.

Right?

Like, it's that opportunity and preparedness.

You happen to be in the right place at the right time and, you know, it just works out that.

That's beautiful.

Fifteen minutes, though, to work on that song.

Yeah, man, that'd be terrifying.

Wait, so what happened in between?

So in that year, from that initial conversation at the conference to then now a year later where you get tested again, it's like you thought you were just going to play.

You thought you were just here for this.

Now you got to step up and do this whole thing.

Yeah, man, I had to, man.

I had to step up.

And then they actually called me to start going on the road with Israel because Leonard.

Leonard Ray, which is a close friend of mine as well, he got a call to do Tori Kelly.

And so he left to go do Tori Kelly.

And this is around the time Tori Kelly is massive.

You know, she's like, yeah, being she's on Pepsi commercials.

She's right.

You know, she's.

She's the new thing.

And.

And so I started going out and, man, from there to now, it's just been a crazy roller coaster, man.

It's just been like, yeah, man.

Like, it's been like really, like 10 years of going non stop.

I went from this.

I went from Israel to Todd Trivett.

I actually met Ty at that conference, the same one, the same way.

And Paris introduced me to Ty.

Wow.

Wow.

And it was just peak.

A lot of people don't know that.

And we were playing, we were jamming out the church, and Ty was just like, man, who is this guy?

And Paris was like, yo, this is my little bro right here, man.

Y' all should meet.

Da da da.

And so he was like, man, let me get your number.

So I was like, cool.

I think.

No, I think about a month later, I get a text message.

I'm in a rehearsal for a live recording, and I get a text message and it says, yo, D, what's up?

And I'm like, who is this?

He's like, yo, this Ty Trippett.

And I was like, what?

He's like, man, give him a call when he's like, give me a call when you get a chance.

I was in rehearsal.

Yeah, I got up.

You left.

You left.

I said, yo.

I said, hey, I had an important phone call real quick.

Yeah, let me.

Let me go outside and take this call.

And yeah, the rest is history with me and him.

He got that phone call and it was just like, yo, man, let's do lunch.

And he's like, you're in Orlando.

I said, yeah.

He said, I'm in Orlando.

Let's do lunch.

So.

Wow.

Yeah, that's.

That's something, man.

And that led to so many other things.

So.

But yeah, now I'm like, I mean, each one of these situation, like, these instances would have blown your mind.

I'm sure that wasn't the last.

So what's like.

I don't want to say the biggest, but.

Okay, so let me ask you this way.

So when you kind of as I guess you get used to the feeling.

Like, I'm sure the first time was like, this is nuts.

Yeah.

Was it constantly that same, like, this is nuts all over again?

It did, and then it kind of numbed down because it started to come my norm.

Like, you're young.

It started becoming normal for me to be with and befriend some of everybody's favorite artists.

Right.

Like, you know, I started seeing a side of the artist.

Like, oh, they like me.

Like, you know what I'm saying?

Oh, they.

They do like shrimp and Grinch.

Oh, you know this.

Oh, they do like a glass of wine, you know.

So it started becoming a norm.

And once it became a norm, it's like, once you get in that.

That club, it's like everybody knows you.

And it's like, yo, what's up, man?

Yo, what's up?

Like, it's a normal thing for me now.

Like, I've had fred hammond facetime me at 3:00 clock in the morning, you know?

You know what I mean?

So.

And, you know, and.

But then I do have my moments where a lot of times I pause and I'll be like, whoa.

You know, don't take this moment for granted.

Like, Right.

God really puts you in a place of, you know, comfort with these people.

And I think that's my biggest gift besides music is being a friend.

Because there's times where I've shared secrets and they shade secrets with me and it don't leave, you know, I don't be on social media.

Hey, y', all, look, I'm at this person house or look at this.

You know, I. I played basketball with a few celebrities to this day, like twice a week.

And if I.

If I did this, you know, people would be like, oh, well, you do this.

But then it'll make them uncomfortable.

So it's like, you know, a lot of people can't handle that.

So it started becoming a norm for me.

Okay.

And my life, you know, but I don't take it for granted.

But, you know, when I do meet people or they, you know, oh, what's up, D?

Oh, what's up, D?

Love people.

Like how, you know, I'm like, you know, those my homies?

You know what I'm saying?

So, you know, it just becomes a normal life.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

But perspective is important.

So every now and then, you do still go back and go, heck, yeah.

Oh, man.

Yeah.

Heck, yeah.

I'm like, oh, wow.

Like, oh, man.

All right.

Wow.

They're my friends.

Like, I could really call them I could really text them, you know, and so I do give God reverence for that and thank him for that.

You know what I'm saying?

So.

And that's going back to the.

The.

The way this kind of all started for you.

It's.

To me, it really teaches me a lesson.

And anyone else aspiring to get to a level is to.

You know, there's a quote right now where people are focused on the bag, and they're really focused on trying money.

And you were always from.

You started telling just, I'm just trying to learn.

And I feel that your opportunity fell into your lap because you had that perspective and approach starting out, and you weren't chasing money.

You didn't say, I was broke and I needed money.

I needed to work for money.

You were like, I want to go there and learn, and look what happened.

And I wonder if you could maybe share with our audience the importance of.

Because I also find that making music, writing music, when you write it from a pure, organic space, only good things can happen from it, and you appreciate the art form more, you know?

And I was wondering if you could maybe share with people how you've been able to continually rise and level up without ever really chasing the bag, you know?

Yeah.

Or for me, I enjoy the process.

Like, right.

There are some people who get a kick out of cooking because they love the process of cooking.

Have you ever seen somebody cook a full meal and then.

But don't eat?

Yeah, all the time.

You know, I'm like, mom, why don't you eat?

Y' all eat.

Y' all eat?

Yeah, they enjoy the process of cooking.

Yeah, absolutely.

And making sure everything's sharing it.

Everybody else.

I love the process of making things and then letting everybody hear it, the final product.

You see in their faces, like, that's.

That's what gets me.

You know, people hear two minutes, three minutes of something that I've worked two weeks on, you know what I'm saying?

Or three weeks on.

It's just like, I love that process.

So I just.

Man, I love the process.

Number one, not many people want to get to the bag and understand that it takes.

You have to walk before you run.

You gotta.

You gotta.

You gotta learn.

You gotta learn those things.

So process, for me, man, is my biggest thing, man.

Like writing and trying to get to certain things.

If you keep thinking about it, if you keep trying to chase that, the longer it's gonna be.

You know, One thing Ty taught me was we did a record with Fantasia called I Made it that are co.

Producing, broke and it got.

It was on Good morning America.

And when it was on Good Morning America, I. I cried.

I couldn't even hold my tears.

I couldn't even hold my tears.

I could imagine.

And.

Because, you know, I've never.

To see hundreds of people on the.

On TV and knowing millions of people are singing this song and dancing to it.

It pierced my heart, man.

Like, I was just like, wow.

And I called Ty.

I called Ty.

And I was like, man, bro, it's on Good morning America.

My wife was rubbing my back.

It was like a moment of me being, like, somebody being drafted to the NBA or something.

Like, it's like that moment, I was like, whoa.

And these are the words he said to me, and it pissed me off.

And he said.

He was nonchalant, man.

He was like, cool.

Yeah.

And I was like, what you mean?

And at this moment, me and Ty has a great, like, brothers.

You know what I'm saying?

So I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah.

I was like, what the hell do you mean?

You know what I'm saying?

Like, he was like, celebrate now, tomorrow.

Forget about it, and keep working.

Right?

Good.

That's beautiful.

And I was just like, dog, it's on Good morning America.

I made it.

You know what I'm saying?

And I'm seeing.

And the biggest thing with me, I saw all colors.

Black, white, Hispanic, you know, all ethnicities.

Like, just dancing, they jamming.

I'm like, wow, that did something to me.

And so it pissed me off when he said that.

But later on, as weeks went by, it took me a while.

I'm not gonna lie.

It took me a while, I realized.

And so I have this thing of me where people mention what I've done in my career, and I don't feel like I accomplished much.

Like, to this day, I still don't feel like I've scratched the surface.

And I feel like I have to.

It's something in me that won't let me settle.

And so it's like, okay, cool.

Thank you.

And I just like, okay, I'm working.

Okay, I gotta get back to the drum bar.

Or I go back and listen to the records.

And I'm like, oh, that was terrible.

Why did you make that choice?

D?

So I'm the biggest critic of myself.

Like, I'm always trying to enhance something.

There's a movie that's out right now.

Most people don't know it, but I'm a big, huge Predator fan.

And so, yeah, I'm a nerd, by the way, a little bit in the movie, the Predator.

All of his series, he's a, he's a hunter, but he's always figuring out how to better himself.

He's always, I never thought.

He's always studying what he's hunting.

And so you're right.

You're right.

He's always studying what he's hunting.

If you look at the movie, like, the movies, whether it's the one back in the 80s or 90s and the ones that are current, you know, he's, he's looking, he's analyzing, he's doing this.

And where there are some failures at, other predators are gaining that information and saying, okay, I can go hunt this this way now.

Get what I'm saying?

And so, and just in turn for me, I'm always analyzing my prey and what I'm trying to chase, I'm always analyzing like, okay, cool.

How can I be the perfect producer?

How can I be the perfect arranger?

How can I be the perfect, this person?

And I'm, when I'm listening, I'm not just listening.

I'm studying.

So I'm like, okay, why did he do that?

When I'm listening to live arrangements, I'm like, okay, they put an orchestra here.

Why?

Okay, they didn't.

The drummer didn't play during the verse.

Okay, why is that?

Like, I'm a why person.

Yeah.

And so that's a, a lot about me when it comes down to your question.

You know, I'm always analyzing and trying to get better.

Man, that's, that's impressive so much.

That's probably why you're in the position you're in.

Oh, man.

Right.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And you're gonna keep growing to higher heights, if it's even possible for some, it's like, what else is there, man?

Yeah.

When he said I barely scratched the.

Surface, I'm like, that's what I feel, man.

How big is your shovel?

That's good, though.

Amazing.

Yeah, man, that's amazing.

You talked about a couple of things that I wanted to ask you about to process, which is huge, and relationships.

So as a musical director.

Right.

What is your process for preparation?

And I know that could cover a lot, but maybe specifically to your personal preparation and then also to preparing the band or the group that you're working with and maybe even touch on, like, band selection.

Almost certainly.

My preparation is I, I, I studied artists first.

I try to figure out, go on social media, do homework if I'm not already following them.

Yeah, I, I, and most people like, ah, you probably don't do that where I, I, anybody Who know me knows by the time I get to the artist, I know them very well.

Predator paid off.

Yeah, it really did.

It really did.

They need to give me a check now.

But I. I sit there and I listen to the music for a couple days.

And the crazy thing is I don't listen to music like that when on my free time, I actually drive just windows down, no music.

Like, I really don't even listen to music like that anymore.

It tanks my creativity sometimes and then whenever I really.

Yes, because when you listening to something, that's what your brain analyzes.

So if I'm in, it starts influencing.

If I'm in a creative space, I want to be me.

Now, there are some times I do listen to certain things that may get me like, okay, get my jump start me.

Because I do have creators lots of time.

But yeah, man, that process is listening to music thoroughly, listening to them.

And when I get their goal as an md, I normally have a crew and normally the guys who I pick from my band Red Camp, they pretty much can do anything, you know, so.

But they have the same mindset as me.

It don't even start with skill first.

With me, it starts with right here, like, are you gonna learn the music?

Are you gonna come in drunk or high?

Are you gonna do this?

Are you gonna do that?

Those things matter because I'm not trying to be in rehearsal on and I'm trying to make the rehearsal sound like the gig or give the artist a view of what it's going to sound like.

Yeah.

Band choice is definitely, definitely plays in.

There's some times I look at some of my guys and I'm like, that's not their strong point.

So let me get this person.

And those guys are some of my best friends.

So I know how to separate my friend hat and my business hat.

And so I fired and not called some of my business friends.

And they've had attitudes with me, but I still had to do what I had to do because this is a job.

So my process of emptying preparation.

If I'm running playback, if I'm running stems, I try to do it a day before.

I'm quick now and know my system so I can do it the day of depending on who it is.

If it's someone new and I've never dealt with before, of course I take the, you know, if I gotta leave Friday, I take out, you know, Wednesday and Thursday and just kind of make sure, put it together and do all that kind of stuff.

So, you know, that's.

That's my process, man.

I listen sometimes, even with arranging, I listen to.

Like, right now, I got a song with Pastor Mike on his new album, and it's James Brown meets Bruno Mars.

And so, yeah, it's very interesting.

People, like.

But when you.

When you guys hear it, you're gonna be like, crap.

All right, that's what's up.

But for three days, all I did was listen to James Brown.

For three days, all I listened to was Bruno and the Touch of Morris Day.

And so I was just like, I need to bring this song to light like that.

I need the elements.

And so after listening to it and getting in my system, I took a day off, no listening to nothing.

So when I got in front of my computer, everything started coming like, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

Okay.

It's almost like cleaning before you.

Exactly.

Okay, right.

You know what I'm saying?

Fill your body up with it, then, you know, release it.

And then it's like, okay, now I feel good.

You know what I'm saying?

Let's go ahead and do it.

So that's my process.

So when you're listening to a song or listening to these artists, because obviously you're going to go through their catalog, listen to probably different time points in their career and things like that, how would you explain, like, what are you really listening for?

I'm listening for.

I'm listening for the nuances.

And I mean, by this, Ty and Fred Hammond, two different artists.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Fred loves Rose Tyler, loves piano.

Right.

You know what I'm saying?

Ty loves.

I'm noticing his key range.

Fred's key range.

There's certain chords Fred likes.

There's certain chords.

Ty like more of an aggressive piano player.

Fred is more of a passive, clean, soulful player.

And so when I'm listening to artists, I'm listening to all the nuances.

I'm listening to, you know, the flavor, their keys, their songs.

They like to sing.

I was.

I had to sub in for Trent one Time for a tvN show for Donnie McClurkin.

And I went online and just seen where his.

Okay, his hymns.

What are the Go to hymns?

He like, you know, even though I know him, Everybody knows Donnie pull out hymns we don't even know.

But there is.

Every artist has a formula.

And so I listen for that.

I listen for their formula.

I listen to, okay, what it.

What is it like?

Even when I was, you know, playing at church consistently.

And preachers will come in.

I know what type of preacher they are not.

It's not like that all the time.

But if it's a big preacher or somebody, I know that's very anal musicians, I'm definitely going to see what's up, you know and so.

Right?

Yeah.

Yes, sir.

Yeah, that's.

That's so much to unpack.

Yeah, man.

Okay.

I gotta follow up with this now.

I'm still on preparation now.

You good.

I hope you don't mind.

I'm kind of like, man, do your thing, man.

This is cool.

Okay, so you listen to the music.

These are.

Let's just assume that you've listened to a whole bunch of studio albums, right?

This is for a live arrangement.

I don't know how much you can give away in this short time, but how do you go from studio versions of a song to the live arrangements?

I won't even make you go into, like the full show because that might be a lot.

And just taking one song.

Okay, let's talk about it.

Whatever you want to share.

That's a good question, though.

I listen.

Well, I. I listen to.

And let me back up some.

I said I don't listen to music.

I list.

I don't listen to music frequently.

But when I do listen to music, it's for a purpose.

So let me clear that up.

But okay.

I listen to the record.

Okay.

I find loopholes and loopholes meaning little gaps of where I can add my flavor.

And so this is what I would ask the artist.

Do you want me to remix the song?

Do you want me to enhance the song?

I think it's important for any arrangement.

Can you explain that difference, though?

I'm really sorry to cut you off when you say.

Because to me, an enhancement.

A remix is.

It could be an enhancement.

But you seem to have a very.

Different specific distinction as musicians and producers.

We can do an arrangement of a song.

Song.

And it doesn't sound like the record.

So remixes, meaning I got you, you know, Got you.

What I mean by.

Yeah, like you flipping, you doing chord changes to the artist.

That's like nail scratching a chalkboard to their music.

It's like they don't want that.

I'm like, unless it's dope here, all of these arrangements.

And people don't.

They don't want that.

They do not want too much.

It's like too much for them.

You got to think we're blessed with an ear that certain people can't hear things.

And so the people who can't hear what we hear is confusing.

So you have to know how to not make things confusing for them.

And it could be the simplest line, like they don't understand that.

You know what I'm saying?

Instead of just saying, boom, we want to do.

They don't understand that.

And to them, that's like, okay, bro, I don't even like this no more.

So, yeah, it's important to ask the artists how far you want me to go, because there are some artists like Ty, who is.

Musically.

He gets it.

Then you have some artists, they don't.

Don't understand that stuff, you know, like, you know, Martha McNzie, like, she loves band stuff, but her and Ty is two different artists.

And so I. I've had to learn to.

Okay, this is what I asked.

It's part of my preparation.

Like, I asked which one.

Which.

Okay, how far you want me to go?

Do you want me to just make it like a TV type of situation?

Or you want me to like, boom, boom, boom, boom?

And so I think it's very, very important to have those understandings with the artist, bro.

When you're preparing, just know what you want to do.

And with enhancing, I just normally find loopholes.

And always, you know, one of the biggest thing is I learned let the verse be clear.

I hear so many people and doing so much during the verses.

It's like those.

Those be the points.

Those, you can't.

You gotta let the song be recognizable.

And the biggest person that I'm anal about is the drummer, because the drummer can do all kind of cadences.

That has nothing to do with the song.

Or he can maybe hit the snare.

That.

It's a side stick on the verses.

You know, you're thinking you Aaron Spears, and it's like, no, you know, that was the time Usher allowed that that was his artist.

Yeah.

So you have to know your room.

You got to know your.

You got to know who you are, you know, and who the artist and the artist is.

So how I do it, man, I just find loopholes.

I'm big, big on transitions.

You know, if they want an intro, I get straight to the point.

I may do it.

I accent everything that's on the record.

So there may be some things that you never hear, but when I do my live arrangement, y' all hear it like, oh, that lick was cool.

Well, that lick was in the app.

It was on the record.

All I.