Trevor Davis Story

at Freedom-Up on 3/7

My Life Story

I was born and raised in San Diego, California. My life was tough growing up in the ghetto of the city. My single mother, who hadn’t planned on being pregnant with me, was addicted to drugs until I was 8 years old. She would come into my life for moments then go back out into the streets. Because she wasn’t around, my grandmother raised me. I would cry and sleep by the door waiting for her to return. I loved her so much and never wanted her to leave.

One day she walked into a church with her leather mini skirt and high heels on and saw God’s grace. She got down on her knees and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. At a young age, I got to see and know a God who transforms. She quit taking drugs, started raising me herself, worked hard at her job, and went to church all throughout the week. We attended a gospel church where we were the only white people so the music there was amazing. This is definitely where I got my soulful style. I would get the solos in the children's choir and from there on out I always had a burning passion for music. I immersed myself in it. When I was in 6th grade I started going to a different church. I loved the fact that I was able to wear shorts instead of a suit but the music had a sort of home on the range campfire vibe.  I wasn’t so sure about this. It seemed a bit boring to me. Where was the soul?

It was always a financial struggle for us each month as my mom worked hard to make ends meet. So I was stoked when in the fourth grade, I got a karaoke machine for Christmas. I would sing for days, recording myself and listening back thinking, "I could do that better.” I would imitate different voices from all different styles of artists and bands. I was always a happy kid despite my circumstances. I didn't know any different. I didn't know you could have a father and mother around to protect and guide you through life. I guess I was too busy riding my bike and eating candy. And even though it was tough financially, the Lord always provided. Thinking back on those days, I realize that being really broke made things definitely a bit more exiting when we had to depend on God. He sent us continuous miracles. I have so many stories about people dropping off groceries and Christmas gifts etc. There is one story in particular that is my favorite.

One of my junior high leaders, Mark Warren, reached out and stepped into my life. He was a great father figure for me.  He wouldn't give me advice on how I should live my life, but instead chose to just hang out and be there for me. I got to do things I had never dreamed of doing like water ski and eat at a fancy restaurant. Mark redirected my feelings of desperation and pointed me towards Christ. He called my mother and asked if I wanted to go to the church’s private school.  Of course we said “Yes!” and he paid for me to go to that school until I graduated high school.  Since I lived in the ghetto and was going to have to attend a school that was well known for trouble, it made the private school an extra blessing. I loved going to school there. I would walk around the campus with a huge smile on my face. Even today I am still in touch with my Mark. He has helped fund my last three albums and continues to be active in my life. I feel very blessed to see the Lord’s hand at such a young age through how Mark was used as an instrument of God. Again and again I saw the Lord as someone who redeems and provides.  

When I was about thirteen years old, my mother had a nervous breakdown. She quit her job and stayed in her room with the window curtains closed. Her depression was one of the hardest things I had to deal with cause I was used to her being a hard worker who loved me and took care of me. The hard working, prayer warrior I once knew was defeated. It was hard to face this new reality. During this time, she didn't care about much at all. I started to raise myself as well as her, which was difficult when we didn’t have any money or food in the house. The out going person I use to be in school became reserved like I had to protect and fight for myself.  Being the only child with a parent who didn't care about life was very lonely for me.  I still had that karaoke machine though. So I would just sing away in my room. This was my vent, my cry for comfort. I could have easily turned down a road leading to destruction. Instead, I chose music. I have always had rhythms and melodies running through my veins. Music for me wasn’t a choice; it was more like the law of gravity in which I was bound to fall into. With my upbringing, some would say I was bound to fall into the pattern of my surroundings. I see my surroundings as the wind for my little kite.

In Jr. High I gravitated to rock music, admiring my older cousin who was very skilled at the guitar. I wanted to take bass guitar class so we saved up all the money we could and I got a bass for about $200. I didn't eat much that month except for Top Ramen and everyone was so upset with my mom for allowing me to get it. My friends and I started a punk band where I was the bass player (still not singing publicly). I would go to hardcore music shows almost every weekend and head for the mosh pits. I loved music that was hard and angry and nothing else. I think I frequently battled anger and frustration during my teen years. This kind of music helped me filter out those frustrations. One day at a show though I didn't go to the mosh pit. After I got it all out and wasn't angry anymore, that music lost its flavor.

I had found out about this vocal coach Joni Wilson in high school and somehow got the money to take a voice lesson from her. In my later high school years, when everyone was deciding on what college to go to, I was spending my last dime on voice lessons.  I practiced constantly to gain a wider range and stronger voice. Before taking lessons not even my closest friends knew I could sing. After about four lessons I sang the National Anthem at a basketball game. Shortly after that, I won first place at my high school talent show for my Michael Jackson dance impersonation and was voted most talented in the high school yearbook. 

I have always used the creative side of my brain, and don't have much else on the other side. I didn't do that well in school but I was in honors art. After I graduated I had no idea what to do. I wanted to sing but how, I didn't have songs, etc. So I went to college and learned about music. I hated it. I wanted to play not learn. I started playing the guitar and wrote my first songs recording myself on the karaoke machine I had for so long. The songs on my CD "Seven Days" are the first songs I ever wrote. I love abstract thoughts, play on words, and double meanings. I don't like to state the obvious. I love music that makes you think but is also emotional. Music to me has to have conviction; I have to believe that people actually experience what they are singing about. That’s why I am thankful for my hard and hurtful past. I am able to mix the painful past with hope. The pain and His redemption are very inspiring. It gives me a large spectrum to work with for songwriting.

I never turned to drugs or alcohol to escape my hurt.  I learned from my whole family that it makes things fall apart.  I looked for strength and something to over come the circumstances, and I found that in God. Over the years I continued to understand God’s love. The understanding led and leads me now to daily repentance because it is a love that was predestined and not earned by my performance. I no longer had to fight for myself but just submit to the side that has already won and fight for His glory here on earth.  

Realizing that God always loves me in the midst of my selfishness and sin enabled me to love my mother even in the mist of her poor decision-making. For years I would condemn her and point out all her sins. I was trying to kick her back into shape. It never worked. It only made everything worse and me bitter. One night my mom was passed out on the floor, and I picked her up and put her into bed. As I lifted her up, I broke down because I pictured God picking me up deep in my sin. Ever since then, I was able to see past her circumstances, and see her for what she is — a child of God. This was like tasting freedom, to enter into my relationship with my mother on the basis that my love wasn't dependent on condition.  Over the years the Lord began to heal my mother. My mother and I are now best friends and we teach each other so much. We are super close and love to hang out as often as we can. 

I was always scared to pursue music as a career. I had to work through all those insecurities of Satan telling me I couldn’t do it. I just loved music. I dressed music, I thought music, I watched music, I hung out with people that were into music, and I was naturally drawn to it. What turned me to make a career out of it? I was definitely scared to do it because there was no promising factor in it. By faith, I took a dive. Making my first EP “Seven Days” was so much fun. To hear the first songs I ever wrote recorded professionally instead of on my karaoke machine was a wonderful experience. I received the most amazing emails in response to a song off that album, entitled “Affliction from Addiction.” It is my most personal, definitely vulnerable song of things that have happened. When some hear that song, it makes them feel like they aren’t the only one who has to face family hardships. Most of the emails say how it pulled them through similar tough times. That makes this music thing all worth it.

I don’t write all my songs about God but really on what I see because of Him. T-bone Burnett said, "I don't write about the light, I write about what I see because of the light.” I follow the same motto with my songwriting.  I see my songwriting as a tool. It is a tool to tell a story…God’s story through my life. God has been a healer, a redeemer, and a provider.  He is beyond our understanding and knows how to work all things together for good.  With Him, I'm able to walk through the fire and not be burned. My circumstances will pass away. The Lord builds my faith and character, which lasts forever.