Southern soul singer Al Davis has roots in Montgomery

If you search the name “Al Davis” online, odds are you’ll first find info about a late, super-rich NFL executive.

“I’m definitely not him,” said Southern soul artist Al Davis, who grew up in Montgomery, around the Woodley Park area. He’s also lived in Florida, but has called Macon, Georgia, his home since he was about 11.

In addition to singing, Davis is a music producer and an audio and mastering engineer.

“I just do it all,” he said. “Whatever’s involved in music, I do it.”

That includes his own original music, which he began focusing on during the pandemic. In 2021, Davis released his debut single “It’s My Time to Party on the Weekend.” Other singles, which are available on streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, include “It’s A Party at the Juke Joint” featuring Mark Lockett, "Dip it low" featuriung “Dancing With My Baby” featuring Black Koffee, Pretty Fine Thang, and “Where They Do That At” featuring Princess LaShelle. Davis is also featured on the Jerome B. single “Sexy Slide.”

Davis comes by music naturally, since his father, James, performed in a male traveling group. It also comes from his mother, Lucille, who was a blues fan.

Early in his career, Davis sang and toured with a gospel quartet called the Silver Stars, and worked with several community choirs.

In his career, Davis has shared stages with the likes of Gladys Knight, Fantasia, Keith Sweat, Bobby Rush and many others.

In addition to singing, Davis is a keyboardist who has played for the likes of Jeff Floyd and Nelsan (Sugga Shack) Curry.

Davis’ live shows, he said, have a lot of energy. He loves working the crowd.

“The majority of my music is dance music,” Davis said. “My belief is if somebody is in a club or wherever dancing, two things in a venue that make it work is if they’re going to dance fast or if they’re going to cuddle dance. They’re not doing to dance show that much. They’re going to dance fast, so I like to keep the energy up.”

There’s dancing on the stage as well. Along with his The Day 1 Band, Davis said he has two female background dancers — Princess and Aquisha.

Davis, who recently performed 3 shows for the Masters Tournament in Augusta, has recorded and produced for the likes of Willie Morris (Cameo), Sonny Spoon, Princess LaShelle and Mark Lockett (The Reddings).

“I did probably about 10 songs on (Lockett),” Davis said.

He’s also been a background vocalist for the late Whitney Houston and others.

Davis is pretty easy to spot. Look for the guy in all-white attire, which he said is his official style.

“I just love white,” he said. “I always figured heaven is white, so I want to represent heaven.”

Follow him online at itsaldavis.com .

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Southern soul singer Al Davis has roots in Montgomery