David Malmberg

David Malmberg- ventriloquist, guitarist, singer/songwriter and composer--was born with entertainment in his blood. From a family of professional musicians, David began his musical education on the accordion and added the guitar and ventriloquism by age thirteen. His desire to learn the art of 'voice transposition' was sparked watching ventriloquist Paul Winchell with his dummy Jerry Mahoney on television at age six.

David acquired his first professional figure when he was fifteen and began his entertainment career in earnest. Performing both as a guitarist and a ventriloquist, he quickly discovered the exhilaration of live performance.

Service in the United States Navy furthered David's voice tossing and music career. His training as a professional radio announcer and his entertainment skills in boot camp caught the attention of his superiors and he was assigned to the American Forces Radio Network (AFRTS), first in Cuba and then in Spain. This serendipitous event gave David a platform to continue practicing his craft. Notes David, "Edgar Bergen wasn't the only ventriloquist on radio. I used to 'sign on' the morning show, creating different ventriloquist characters and singing a few songs with my guitar. If I overslept, the whole military base would oversleep because they all had their alarms set to the radio station!"

David discovered the classical guitar while in Spain and began this area of study with America Martinez Serrano at the Conservatorio De Musica in Sevilla. His time with Senora Martinez was personally enriching and has served him well professionally.

After six years in Spain, David returned to the United States. He began a 20 year run as the Operations Director of radio stations K102 and WDGY in Minneapolis, receiving may industry awards including being named one of the 'Top 10 Program Directors' in America in 1990 by Inside Radio. During this period he also composed music for commercials and radio station jingles and his voice characterizations on the radio led to professional voice work which he continues to this day.

David stepped down from his post in the broadcasting business because of his desire to once again experience 'live performance.' He decided to make music a part of his ventriloquist act and pursue a career in entertainment. David recalls, "My colleagues thought I was crazy.. You know, don't give up your day job sort of thing."

Well crazy or not, for the past 17 years David has been crisscrossing the country with his show that features comedy, storytelling, ventriloquism and music. At approximately 125 shows a year, David estimates that he has performed in front of more than a half million people. He has had the pleasure of working with such greats as Merle Haggard, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Juice Newton, BJ Thomas, Michael Johnson, The Statler Brothers and Kathy Mattea.

David continues to perform in concert on the classical guitar and has released eight CD's that cover a wide array of musical genres. His recent devotion to composition for the solo guitar is heard on Andalusian Sojourn and Reunion. Hugh Downs of ABC News declared these works a "treasure" and David's music "marvelous."

In addition to performing and composing, David has also written a 'how to' book on ventriloquism. Secrets of Ventriloquism is now in its second printing.

When asked what drives him, David muses, "Well, if you're lucky, you find your passion in life. For me, it is laughter and music. I have been fortunate to be able to do both for a living."

Facts About David

* Born and raised in Minneapolis, MN.
* Graduated from Brown College in Minneapolis and studied guitar through the Conservatory of Music in Seville, Spain.
* 20 years performing professionally, over 2000 shows.
* Charter member of the Fine Arts Hall of Fame at Richfield Senior High School, Mn.
* Appeared in theatrical productions of: Arsenic and Old Lace (Jonathan) Taming of the Shrew (Petruchio) Finian's Rainbow, (Woody) and various industrial shows in association with Don Stolz and the Old Log Theater.
* Named one of America's top 10 radio program directors by Inside Radio in 1990.
* Author of the radio campaign that established funding for the Minnesota Viet Nam Veterans War Memorial.
* Worked as a voice over and on-camera talent and has been featured on many radio and television commercials through the years including: Insty Print, Berkley Tackle and John G. Kinnard Investments, to name a few.
* Has shared the stage with: Merle Haggard, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Juice Newton, BJ Thomas, Kathy Mattea, Michael Johnson and The Statler Brothers.
* Featured in articles of the Minneapolis Tribune, City Pages, Passages (NW Airlines) plus many regional newspapers in the Midwest.
* Performances throughout the United States.
* Author of the book, Secrets of Ventriloquism.? Published by Montgomery Press in Minneapolis.
* As a composer has written over one hundred pieces of music for guitar as well as voice.
* A recording artist with 8 albums to his credit: It is Written, Voyager, Metamorphosis, The Songs We Sang, Fairwood, Still Life, Andalusian Sojourn and Reunion.
* Associations: American Federation of Musicians, Local 30-73
* American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
* American Composers Forum
* National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
* Puppeteers of America