Dave McCullough grew up near Parham in a large musical family, surrounded by working musicians including his parents and uncles. Like his brother Shawn, Dave started out on mandolin and open-slide guitar because, as he puts it, his hands were too small for a standard-sized instrument. He eventually learned his way around most stringed instruments before falling in love with the warm sound of the bass. In his early 20s, Dave figured out another advantage: there were plenty of guitar players who sang, but considerably fewer bass players who could do both. 

That realization led to a long and impressive career, beginning with Jim Jones Sr. and Whiskey’s Best, followed by Crossfire with brother Shawn and, most significantly, a remarkable 29-year run as bassist and vocalist with Joe Saunders and Red Rose Express. Along the way, Dave shared stages with artists including Dan Seals, David Ball and Don Williams, became a familiar face at The Cove Inn through Wings ‘n Tunes, Chicken Pickin’ Sunday Fundays and countless fill-ins, and even spent time playing with Tom Green! Now, after decades of making music, Dave and Shawn have teamed up again in Dirt Road Anthem.

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Seamus Cowan: Dave, you started out playing mandolin and open-slide guitar because your hands were too small for a regular instrument. Was becoming a bass player your musical career — or simply a very clever way of finally finding an instrument big enough for your hands?

Dave Mcullough: After finding that I had the ability to play bass at the same time as singing, and well enough to perform without embarrassing myself and others, there was no looking back. It became my weapon of choice.

Seamus: You figured out in your early 20s that a bass player who could sing was a pretty rare commodity. Was that the result of careful career planning, or did you simply realize that fewer people wanted to stand beside a giant bass?

Dave: I had discovered that my path to finding gainful employment in a band would be as a singing bassist but I do appreciate your reference as a fellow bassist.

Seamus: You spent an incredible 29 years playing with Joe Saunders and Red Rose Express, opening for artists like Dan Seals, David Ball and Don Williams. After 29 years, did Joe actually know how to get rid of you — or had you become part of the furniture?

Dave: Oh yes, I was quite comfy in my role with Red Rose Express and adored our followers but nothing lasts forever. Joe ultimately passed away from cancer. I miss him every day, as a band member and an incredible friend. The remaining members carried on for a couple of years but we found the chemistry wasn't the same and decided to go our separate ways as lifelong friends who had shared something very special. 

Seamus: You and your brother Shawn have now teamed up again in Dirt Road Anthem. Considering Shawn is notoriously difficult to replace, how does it feel to finally have him back in the family band — and who gets the last word when two McCullough brothers disagree on a song?

Dave: It has been such a treat to be performing on a regular basis with Shawn again. We have come full circle. The blood harmonies and the way we always know what each other is thinking is a blast. Add in Zach on drums and vocals and things are pretty sweet sounding yet we are still able to surprise each other at least once each gig. As for who has the final word, it has to be me, as Shawn always respects his elders (just kidding). We will have to disagree at some point before we find out the real answer. Shawn is the humblest and most gracious musician I know.

Seamus: After decades of playing everywhere from major stages to The Cove’s Wings ‘n Tunes and Sunday Fundays, you’ve probably seen just about everything a working musician can see. What’s the strangest, funniest or most memorable thing that’s ever happened to you on stage?

Dave: I believe I can cover strange, funny and memorable all in one story. As a young musician, we all hear about famous artists having girls toss their "delicates" at them on stage. Well, it happened to me one night early in my career. While I was singing, a gal hit me dead centre with her panties. To be fair she was still wearing them and had tripped over my floor monitor then collided with me, but still…

Posted: Sep 22, 2026