David Conley

David "Pic" Conley is an American jazz flute player, songwriter and producer.

Early life

Conley was born in Newark, New Jersey. Shortly after graduating high school, Conley purchased his first instrument, a flute, for $10 with the idea he sell it for double price. It was fate. Conley took the flute home and instead started playing it. Teaching himself how to play he has never put it down since.

Career

Taking a leap of faith Conley began his professional career when he moved to Los Angeles with David Townsend. It was there he joined the group Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1976. After an unreleased record with 20th Century Records, Conley left the group to join Mandrill in 1977. In 1978 he made his television debut with Mandrill performing on the popular show Soul Train hosted by Don Cornelius. Conley released only one album with Mandrill, New Worlds, in 1979. Conley left the group and after a short hiatus Townsend and Conley collaborated on the beginnings Surface. When Conley became the founder of the Multi-Platinum Soul/R&B group Surface in 1983 the original group consisted of Conley and Karen Copeland. Townsend collaborated by writing and producing. In that same year Surface released their debut single, Falling in Love (TV series) performed by Copeland, which peaked at #84 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for four weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #67 on the U.K. Singles chart. In addition Surface recorded two more singles with her; "When Your Ex Wants You Back" and "Stop Holding Back". After Copeland left the group in 1984 Bernard Jackson and David Townsend replaced her by becoming the Surface we know today. More success came in 1985 when Conley became a staff writer for Screen Gems BMI. Shortly after in 1986 Surface landed a record deal with Columbia leading them to release their debut album in 1987. The album peaked at #55 on the Billboard 200 and #11 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. In 1989, Surface released their second album, 2nd Wave which peaked at #56 on the Billboard 200 and #5 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The single "Shower Me With Your Love" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, and became Surface's second #1 R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for a week in July 1989, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

Discography

Mandrill

• 1978: New Worlds (Arista)

Surface

• 1987: Surface (Columbia)
• 1989: 2nd Wave (Columbia)
• 1990: 3 Deep (Columbia)
• 1991: The Best Surface: A Nice Time for Loving (Columbia)
• 1998: Love Zone (Victor Entertainment)
• 2001: The First Time: The Best of Surface (Sony)

David Pic Conley

• 2008: Bird of Paradise (Independent)

• 2011: Bossa Quintet (Independent)

References

• The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll – 3rd Edition
• www.davidpicconley.com