Danville man hopes to sing at inauguration

By Bernard Baker

Published: November 27, 2008

Doctors told David Wilson that he might not sing again after he suffered a near fatal accident at Goodyear in 2003.

Wilson was trying to unload a 200-pound aircraft tire when the hoist let go and the tire fell on his head. The operation to repair damage to his neck vertebrae put the plate in a position to prevent him from singing.

Now, several years later, Wilson said he is ready to take the national stage.

Wilson has asked the Presidential Inaugural Committee if he can sing his song, “We Must Live In Unity,”  on Jan. 20 as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

He submitted an application, CD and host of recommendation letters from Mayor Sherman Saunders, the Danville School Board and Congressman-elect Tom Perriello, among others.

“Unity is where we need to be at this time,” Wilson said Tuesday. “I felt the song was perfect for what he was campaigning about. We need to break gridlock and work together.”

Wilson said he believes God inspired him to get this song, which he wrote in 2003, out to the public.

Wilson worked tirelessly for Obama in the Danville area. He registered voters, knocked on doors and did what he could to get people to vote.

Wilson even got to shake hands with Obama during a rally in Roanoke.

Whether he’s selected to sing at the event or not, Wilson plans on attending the historic inauguration. He’s already booked his hotel room and has reserved his rental car.

“We’ll just have to see what happens next,” Wilson said.

Someone rooting for Wilson to get picked is his pastor, the Rev. Delaware Clark. Clark pastors Camp Grove Baptist Church and said Wilson has been anointed with a gift for music.

Clark encouraged Wilson not to loose faith in his singing gift when he was recovering from the accident even after doctors said he wouldn’t sing again.

“The Lord said something different,” Clark said. “He’s still singing.”

Sheila Baynes, chairwoman of the Danville Democratic Committee, is one of Wilson’s friends and said she hopes he will get picked to perform at the inauguration.

“I am excited at the possibility that David may be chosen to do this,” Baynes said. “To participate in this historical event and to represent Danville and the commonwealth would be a remarkable feat. David’s song of unity is perfect for this president and for these hard times.”

Wilson said the decision is in God’s hands.

“It’s up to him,” he said.

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.