DAVE BISHOP

by Eric McKenna

What can one really say about a friend like Dave? He is simply one of the finest people I’ve ever met.

I met Dave in 2000. He started out as a customer and we immediately hit if off. At the time I met Dave, he was running an amazing business. It was called Pittsburgh Pinball. Dave, being a huge pinball and video game fan, took his passion to the limit while all the while maintaining his career in programming. His story and success was certainly something I could relate to. It was a direct connection to what I was trying to do with Boogie Street Guitars.

As our friendship grew Dave became a trusted advisor and sometimes mentor on many issues of running an internet business. It was like he could understand many of the issues I was experiencing. I also like to think that bouncing all our ideas and issues off each other helped him as well.

Dave invited me to play in his band, Noizy Neighbor, from 2001 to 2003. Our main gigs were these HUGE Pittsburgh parties Dave held. First in his home – yes hishome as it was HUGE – and then eventually moving them to a local bar here in Pittsburgh called RPM’s.

Playing was so enjoyable and for some reason I recorded so much of our practices that I still watch them to this day for many laughs and to put me in a good mood when I need a boost.

As for those who know Dave, you know Dave struggle with many serious, serious health issues. The most amazing thing is that through all of these health challenges – NOTHING and I mean NOTHING slows him down. NOTHING. I call him the Bionic Man for a reason. HE IS! Instead of wallowing in sadness, Dave finds humor in life and he works hard to help others, putting others needs before his own. What can you say about a guy like that? How rare of a quality in a human being is that? I say – very rare.

While Dave’s health has gotten to the point he has slowed his schedule down a bit, he still manages all the booking, bands and entertainment for RPM’s Rock Club as well as manage a scaled down version of Pittsburgh Pinball. Dave is also an adviser to me on many, many Boogie Street projects andchange in direction ideas.

When I look back at the development of BSG, Dave has had a significant role in bringing many of the ideas to the forefront as well as helping me grow BSG’s internet presence. He is a guy worth commending and a very important person in the history of BSG and more importantly, in my life.

You can still find Dave takin’ care of business at RPM’s Rock Club, booking many acts that all of us rocked out to in the 80′s and despite a declining ‘live act’ environment in Pittsburgh, Dave is one of the people who keeps ‘live’ Rock and Roll music relevant in Pittsburgh.