David Luning

Singer songwriter David Luning of Forestville, 29, made Sonoma County proud as a contestant on “American Idol.” Lining is working on his second album now, with producer, Karl Derfler, who has worked with acts such as Tom Waits, No Doubt, and Dave Matthews. His song “ Whiskey Bottle” appeared on the television show “Grimm." - The Press Democrat - Janet Balicki - September 12, 2016

Wine Country always has been fertile ground for talented people, from horticulturist Luther Burbank to cartoonist Charles Schulz, and the current crop includes restaurateur and TV personality Guy Fieri.

But there is always new talent growing up in our midst, and while locals know who has what it takes, it sometimes takes the rest of the world a little longer to find out. Singer-songwriters McKenna Faith, David Luning and Pete Stringfellow are not newcomers. They all have strong local followings and each has had some national exposure, but 2016 could be a big year for them.

David Luning, the 28-year-old singer and songwriter from Forestville, got national exposure — and took some teasing about his snap-brim fedora hat — when “American Idol” televised his audition and interview two years ago.

That was as far as he got on the show, and then he came home and went back to work on his music career.

“I wanted to do ‘American Idol’ just to get exposure. It wasn’t to win. I was.in the top 100, and I made it to Hollywood. I got a lot of press,” Luning said. “Ultimately, it was a boost for me, and I made some good contacts. Now I have a booking agent, and there’s a publicist involved.”

Continuing to perform locally and nationally — from Houston, Texas to Toronto — both solo and with his band, Luning hopes to expand his reach soon, and step up from nightclubs to bigger venues.

“This year, I plan to be touring in the United States, Canada and Europe,” he said.

Luning is finishing up his second locally recorded, independently produced album, “Restless Wanderer,” this month for spring release. The album includes his original blues-rock song, “In Hell I Am,” which he performed at his “American Idol” audition. His first album, “Just Drop On By,” came out in December 2012.

Luning’s songs get good response on YouTube, particularly the rowdy, good-timey “Whiskey Bottle, Marry Me.” Like many of his songs — he writes 95 percent of his material himself — the tune mixes blues, country and rock.

Luning’s band includes Linden Reed on drums, Ben Dubin on bass and harmonica, and Dave Sampson on electric guitar, lap steel guitar and mandolin. Their performances at the Sonoma County venues — including a New Year’s Eve show at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center — draw good crowds.


“I was born and raised in Sonoma County for sure. I was born in Santa Rosa, then I lived in Cotati, Camp Meeker and Forestville,” Luning said.

“John Prine’s music is what inspired me to get into this in the first place. I was going to school at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and studying film scoring there,” he said. “Then all of a sudden, I was in an apartment building and a friend of mine played me John Prine and I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s what I want to do.’ ”

He wrote a song called “Northern California,” about wanting to come home, and played it for his parents — his mother, Kathy, a second-grade teacher in Graton, and his father, Michael, a real estate agent. He won them over and returned to California to start on his current career track. Now he looks forward to his new album release and heavier touring schedule this year.


“It’s going to be bigger than anything I’ve done before,” he said.

Dan Taylor - THE PRESS DEMOCRAT - Dan Taylor, Diane Peterson & Meg McConahey - Dec 31, 2015

Bay Area Americana artist David Luning and his band are headed back to Truckee for a two night run at Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats, Friday and Saturday, March 6-7.

Tahoe Onstage recently tracked down the bandleader. David Luning Band had just returned to Northern California in a non-stop drive halfway across the country.

“We drove 30 hours straight,” Luning said. “We drove from Kansas City to Sonoma. We were attending the Folk Alliance Conference out there and playing showcases and meeting a bunch of industry people and festival presenters. It was incredibly fun; exhausting, but super fun.”
Hosting a variety of players from the folk and Americana music industry, the Folk Alliance Conference saw 3,000 people arrive in Kansas City to play, promote and discuss their lives’ passion.

“It’s wild man,” Luning said. “We played six showcases; what they do is they have official showcases where they set you up with a stage and a P.A. system in a conference room or something like that, in a hotel. But the other showcases are private showcases, in hotel rooms.
The Kansas City trip was only the most recent leg of Lunning’s musical journey.

He was drawn to music as a young child, studying the piano beginning at age 5. He had a number of bands in high school, and then attended U.C. Santa Cruz, studying music.
In 2007, he transferred to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. It was there that he first became exposed to Americana music, hearing the likes of John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bob Dylan and Guy Clark for the first time.

“I hadn’t heard any of this music,” Luing said. “I was like ‘Holy shit, I need to do this for my career.’ The only thing that I can say is when I heard it, it clicked with me like no music has clicked with me, it just felt real; the humor, the wit, the heartfelt lyrics, It connected with me in such a way that I just knew that it was what I had to do.”
Luning began playing and writing extensively in his newfound style, including a song called “Northern California” about my troubles in Boston.

While his parents were initially against this new direction in his music career and warned him to stay in school, Luning returned to California and explained that he needed to take this step for himself. When they heard “Northern California,” they were sold, and gave him their blessing.

After playing solo for some time, Luning decided to add a b assist and a drummer to his act. This lineup only lasted two months.
It was 2010 when his band truly solidified. Luning played one show in Sebastopol, with Dave Sampson (guitar, mandolin), Ben Dubin ( bass), and Linden Reed (drums), calling the group Hot Monk.

“The group really came together,” Luning said. “We all thought ‘yeah, this works.’ After that those were the go-to guys.” Luning still performs solo shows, but plays with the group as the David Luning Band.

DLB is currently at work on its second record, the follow up to 2012’s “Just Drop on By.” This second album should provide a marked development of the band’s sound in recent years.
“There are more complex arrangements, there are more vocal harmonies,” Luning said. “In terms of production-wise it’s a little grittier.”

Now, the band is turning its focus to the summer touring season, with the goal of touring more regionally. Aside from a run in the Houston area and the trip to Kansas City, DLB is still working on breaking into markets east.

“We just talked to a bunch of festival promoters in the Midwest,” Luning said. “We would love to get out there for sure.” For now, David Luning Band is keen on returning to Moody’s, where it has appeared several times. “We love Truckee, we love playing in Truckee,” Luning said. We haven’t actually played anywhere else in Truckee, just at Moody’s.” - Tahoe Onstage - Tim Parsons - March 5, 2016

David Luning had an epiphany while attending one of the best music schools in the country.

He wasn’t in class at Berklee College of Music in Boston; he was hanging out with a couple friends drinking beer.
They played music by John Prine and Old Crow Medicine show.
Until then, he said, “I didn’t particularly care for folk music. I didn’t know much about it.”

He was majoring in film scoring. These records, though, caught his ear. “I was blown away.” Now Luning had a new musical direction. “Almost immediately I talked to my parents and said this is what I wanted to do with my life,” he recalled in a recent telephone interview. He told them: “I want to be a singer songwriter and sing Americana music.”

And to do that he wanted to return home to northern California.
His parents did not agree, not at first at least. When he went back for winter break, Luning played them “a song about my trials and tribulations in Boston. I was kind of a sad song.”

The New England winter, he noted, were “extremely difficult for someone who grew up in the moderate climes of northern California.”
The song was called “Northern California,” and that’s where he stayed.
“My parents are amazing and unbelievably supportive and let me do this, this job.”

With the support of his parents he started working on his songs.
“I wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote,” Luning said.
Now the 28-year-old has a catalog of original songs, an is slowly stretching out his performing opportunities. Playing open mikes, recording a CD, “Just Drop By.”

That includes a foray in the Midwest with an appearance on the Main Stage of Black Swamp Arts Festival Sunday Sept. 13 at 1 1 a.m., plus sets on the festivals other stages.

His mission to spread the word on his songs, he even ventured into the “American Idol “ scene, and performed on the show in early 2014.
“I knew I was different than their typical ‘American Idol’ contestant. I didn’t know how far I would get,” he recalled. “All I wanted to do is get some exposure for my music.”

The experience was “weird.” He was in his late 20s hanging around with teenage pop singers.

It’s a reality show, he noted, so what appears on the screen “is not really real.” He remembers once when he was sitting chatting with two other contestants and the camera crew descended upon them. They asked one guy to talk about his first job, another to talk about his relationship to his parents and the other to talk about his aspirations to be a rock star. All fodder for later “conversations” that may air on the show.
Still he got good response from the judges.

“I love it,” Jennifer Lopez said. “He has a really, really beautiful tone.”
Keith Urban told him: “You have stanch originality, no one’s doing what you do ... You’re a good singer-songwriter, story-telling guy.”
He works hard at that. The songs emerge from his guitar and piano playing. He’ll play and riff and let it grow, as he is “mumbling along.”
He scat sings “complete gibberish” on top, “just to get the song structure and melody.”

Then he’ll come back and fit the song with lyrics. Sometimes those even grow from those nonsense syllables. “I love simplicity,” he said. “When I was at Berklee a bunch of musicians were trying to impress everyone with how complicated they could make their music. I rebeled against it, and went to a point that’s more honest.”

As an artist on the upswing, his slowly expanding his reach beyond his California base. Being on the roster for Mongrel Music, a talent agency that has close ties to the festival, has helped. He’ll join four other Mongrel artists on this year’s bill. (Half the agency’s artist have played the festival over the years.)

“I love festivals,” Luning said. He gets to hear other musicians, including some he’s never seen before, and listeners who don’t know his work, get to hear him. “I like playing for people who haven’t heard my music before,” he said. “I want to win them over.” - Sentinel-Tribune - David Dupont - August 10, 2015

The Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series continues at 7 p.m. Friday, June 20 at Ashley Pond with the David Luning Band.
This is going to be a fabulous show at our new downtown stage. It’s a free show presented by Los Alamos County and the sponsors of our Series.

Our sponsors are listed at www.gordonssummerconcerts.com along with a lot of other info that I’d like you to know. For instance, did you know that this Friday is Los Alamos National Bank Night? Did you know that the following Fri., June 27 we have two Los Alamos bands playing? Rocking the Pond will be rockabilly DK & the Affordables plus Higher Ground Bluegrass? Did you know that we’ve been producing this Series for 25 years?

The David Luning Band is a tremendous Americana, Country-rock, folk-rock and blues band out of Forestville, Calif. They play witty and smart music. David attended UC Santa Cruz and the Berklee College of Music in Boston as a film music major. His music started to change as he listened and became influenced by such acts as John Prine, Ryan Adams, Hayes Carll, Old Crow Medicine Show, Todd Snyder and THE Band. This music clicked “…like lightning that struck his soul.” In 2009, he moved back to the San Fransico Bay area and formed this tight roots-rock band. Here’s where his bio takes a strange turn!

In 2013, Luning auditioned for the “American Idol” TV show in an attempt to gain worldwide exposure. He was given an honorary award for being the “Best Performance By Someone Too Good For The Show.” This is not my quote, I’ve never watched the show but if you go to youtube, you catch some clips of David with Harry Connick, J. Lo (she loves him) and Keith Urban. On Jan. 16, 2014, he performed on the television show that was viewed by 18 million people. I don’t think he’s the BIG winner but his career has spiked. Lots of people are now fans including Urban and Connick.

Check him out on youtube and this Friday at the Pond. He’s 26 years old and while he may not be America’s idol - he’s probably going to be a big star in Americana music. I’m very happy to have him here early in his career. Read more at www.davidluning.com. - Los Alamos Daily Post - Carol A. Clark - June 20, 2014

Jimbo Mathus and the Tri-State Coalition hit Phoenix last night like a meteor. I don't give strong endorsements to many bands so listen up. I got to the Rhythm Room a little early last night and the opening act was just setting up.


I have to tell you that the opening band, David Luning Band, was the surprise of the year for me. First off I have never heard of them but then reading their bio, they go places that I never go... like American Idol? Now before you shut this down, give me a second. If someone told me that I would like someone that was on American Idol they would get a pretty smug look of disbelief (if not a stiff defiant finger) but to actually sit in a room with this band, listen to strong, creative, concise songwriting performed by a really nice group of fellows was just inspiring.

Luning, a good looking young man who could easily have been the lead for British Band "Faces" or fit into the Beatles, has a super voice. This band doesn't sing pop music like I would expect from an American Idol candidate, but Alt American country/rock/folk/blues thing with really nicely blended vocals (think Humble Pie), creative stories (think Gerald Colliers or Arlo Guthrie) and a rowdy feel (think Keith Richards). This band really captivated the audience and based upon their 5 or 6 song performance, I am an immediate fan. Luning who handles lead vocal and acoustic lead guitar is joined by Linden Reed (drums), Dave Sampson (guitars), and Ben Dubin (bass and harp), who all participate on vocal harmonies. I don't know of anyone who is doing anything quite like them and I do suggest strongly that you search them out and give a listen. I have a copy of their latest CD, Just Drop On By, so expect a review of it in the next few days. Very nice performance men!

Trying to summarize a Jimbo Mathus concert is like trying to count raindrops. If you have never seen Jimbo in concert and have only heard a bit of his music, you have only seen a blurry 40's B&W of the real deal. Now I was captivated by Jimbo's originality when I first saw him open for Buddy Guy over a decade ago. I recall specifically that I was sitting in Mesa Center for the Arts talking with one of my guitar jam buddies while the opening act started to play. After just a short intro I asked my pal, "Who are these guys?". We both quickly scoured the floor for a program and dummied up to catch the rest of his spontaneous set. We were talking a lot about how different this guy was and we really enjoyed him when the main show began. Everybody was there to see Buddy Guy (me included). On steps Jimbo Mathus again, the featured guitar player with Buddy Guys touring band. You are shitting me! Yep. This guy was featured on two of Guys most significant releases of the past decade.

Skip ahead to June 19, 2014 at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix AZ. Jimbo and his Tri-State Coalition hit the stage running. Mathus doesn't have what I would call a "Mathus" sound, a hook or a riff, and that really works strongly to his artistic advantage but he does have recognizable brush strokes. Something that an art collector uses to discern a masterpiece from a copy. Primarily an introspective story teller and a philosopher, Mathus uses different colors from his musical paint box to get just the right feel for each song. These are some of the songs from last night's set. Dirty Hustling, a funky street rocker flavored by a dash funky guitar (think JG Watson or WW Washington). It gets you right down in the street where it's happening. Using the style of the track, I mean really crafting the track to it's subject matter, makes it so much more effective. I Wanna Be Your Satellite retains a rocking country sound but more like Canadian band, the Byrds. You aren't really conscious as you are listening but Mathus is taking you on a journey and he is controlling not only the mental picture with his words but smoothly crafts his own vocal style as well as the texture and style of the backing music to create the perfect ambiance. The title track from Mathus' newest release, Dark Night Of The Soul is a perfect example where his vocals are almost the sound of a man in pain. Mathus and crew take this track to rock on with serious intention. One of my all time favorite Mathus songs, Who'll Sop My Gravy raises some philosophical questions but with that sense of humor that you will see gleaming through much of Mathus work. Taking the texture of this track down to it's lowest denominator, pure rural country folk music with that special Louisiana blues twist, Mathus is able to pull the listener into the earthy feel of the track and then slowly slides a funky beat under their seat. Tennessee Walker Mare is presented as a country ballad and the delivery is perfect. Let me make this clear. Listening to regular music is like watching regular tv. Listening to Jimbo Mathus perfect his craft is like watching in 4k (Ultra High Definition). He creates the stage, he sets the plot, he creates the background music, he shoots the bad guy! Casey Caught The Cannonball is a really entertaining tale with twists and turns. Delivered with a "The Band" like feel with a bit of easy country funk and a dash of fun. Shines Like A Diamond is a country rocker with a stiff bite and a nod to Van Morrison. There is a common thread that runs through all of Mathus music and that is honesty in music, a sincere belief that what he is doing is right and a genuine desire to write the best music possible in hopes that someone may actually get where he's coming from. It is clearly apparent from watching Mathus on stage and from talking with him briefly after the show that he is genuinely grateful to have people listening to his music, to be playing what he wants and to be gaining an audience without compromising his efforts. I see few performers on stage performing with such commitment and devotion. Mathus is a guitar wielding powerhouse on stage but is a humble and kind man face to face. Along with a few songwriters that you could count on one hand, Mathus is one of the premier unsung songwriters of today. I remember seeing Jeff Beck in clubs this small not a long time ago and with the kind of show Mathus puts on, you better see him while you can. - Bman's Blues Report - June 19, 2014

David Luning failed to make American Idol’s cut on the eve of Valentine’s Day, but he’ll be stepping up in class at this June’s Kate Wolf Music Festival, where he’ll appear alongside established artists like Joan Baez, Garth Hudson and Los Lobos.

Luning, a Forestville resident, made it to the Top 100, from an initial crop of about 75,000 performers, starting at an American Idol tryout in San Francisco’s AT&T Park. “I had no expectations,” he says, during a recent interview. “I saw it as an incredible opportunity to get my music out there.”

Describing his television appearance, he says, “It felt unreal, like a dream state. You can’t prepare yourself to be in front of Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. I told myself, I’m just going to do what I do.”

What Luning does, he does very well. He writes almost all his songs, which he describes as Americana, largely a mix of roots music, blues and alternative country, written and sung by people who have stories to tell. “It strives to be as honest as possible,” he says.

Luning’s themes are “love and booze, in that order,” he says. His songs are often humorous exaggerations of real-life situations, for example, the song “Whiskey Bottle,” in which he proposes marriage to the bottle. Other songs show a depth of emotion that’s rare in someone so young.Real Music - Mar 2014 - David Luning - American Idol
Real Music - Mar 2014 - David Luning - American Idol

“I listened to a lot of weird music as a kid, experimental rock,” Luning says, “but that’s not at all what I do.” Though he began on piano – learning and composing blues songs starting in eighth grade – guitar, which he learned six years ago, is now his main squeeze.

While attending Boston’s Berklee College of Music, he discovered Americana, largely through the work of John Prine, Ryan Adams, and the Old Crow Medicine Show. Right away he thought, “This is what I have to do.” Of Prine, he says, “I love John Prine. He’s the one who got me.”

He performs solo at house concerts, while larger venues feature his three-piece backup band. Another project is Ghost & Gale, with Brodie Jenkins, a female friend from high school days. They sang songs together in a school play and thought “this works.” After college, they met up and have been working together for the past two years, playing folk, rock, and indie harmonies, with both of them singing, and Luning on guitar and piano.

Luning has one solo album out and is currently working on a new release. He does the recording, engineering and mixing himself, “to get it all the way I want it.”

At age 27, Luning has come far and has unlimited potential. “I’m a pretty happy guy,” he says. Recently, a crowd at the Twin Oaks Tavern in Penngrove lined up, shivering in the cold, to see a performance by a youth who has become larger-than-life overnight, through the hypnotic power of television.

Go to davidluning.com for upcoming shows or to view his excellent videos. - Sonoma County Gazette - David Feuer - March 1, 2014

Drop on by David Luning’s March shows at Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats for two nights of rocking Americana music. He and his band — Dave Sampson on guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, and harmonies; Ben Dubin on bass, harmonies, and harmonica; Linden Reed on drums; and Luning on vocals, guitar, and harmonica — will play Friday and Saturday night (March 7 and 8), and if it goes like their recent February shows at Moody’s, the restaurant will be full of dancing, clapping, and boot stomping to the fun and energetic tunes.

The David Luning Band first performed in town on a 2013 August evening for Truckee Thursday, a stop on their Southwest summer tour. “We fell in love with [the region] the first time we came and played here,” Luning, 26, said. Dubin agreed, saying, “We had so much fun the first time we played up here, we mused about living here.” Luning’s music feels right at home in Truckee, too. With mentions of whiskey, a busted pick-up truck, and all sorts of love, his lyrics are relatable. The music’s twangs, melodic slides, and moving percussion (reminiscent of a train rambling over the tracks) also fit the character and vibe of Truckee.

Hailing from Sonoma County, Luning and his band started playing together four years ago. While attending Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2009, Luning was immediately drawn to this style of music when introduced to musicians like John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Ryan Adams. “Something totally clicked, and I decided that this is what I want to do with my life,” Luning shared. “John Prine really got me going, too; there’s a certain charm to it, humor and heart and that storytelling thing.” He dropped out of the film scoring program he was enrolled in, returned to California, and has been developing his rocking Americana sound and band ever since.

Luning released his debut album, “Just Drop On By,” in December 2012, which he produced himself. “It was really fun, but it took a really long time because I decided to engineer it myself,” Luning said with a chuckle, noting that it took a year and a half to make the album. His album and live shows highlight the diversity of his songwriting and musicianship, and how naturally it all comes to him. In his more lighthearted songs, Luning’s humor is both evident and contagious, and he’ll even give out a subtle laugh while singing some of the funnier songs or encouraging audience participation. His slower songs show off honest songwriting and notes of real emotion, especially hitting home when combined with that expressive slide lap guitar.

Most recently, Luning auditioned for the 13th season of “American Idol” with his original song “In Hell I Am” (single to be released soon). Although he was cut during the group rounds in Hollywood, he still walked away with a positive experience. “As a singer-songwriter, you need to get your music out there … American Idol is great for that,” he said. “It was amazing, very intense, and stressful and totally exciting; it was crazy to audition for JLo and Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. You can’t prepare for that at all.”

The David Luning Band looks forward to returning to Moody’s next month, and giving the crowd some good old Americana jams to get down to. If you stop by Saturday’s show, you might just catch yours truly, on flute and vocals, performing The David Luning Band version of “Can’t You See.”

For more information on David Luning's music, to watch his "American Idol" audition, and for two free downloads, visit davidluning.com. - Moonshine Ink - Ashley Owen - February 14, 2014

For TV viewers, at least, David Luning's "American Idol" journey ended Thursday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, more than 300 miles from where it started.

The Forestville man was eliminated from the top-rated reality TV show in the group round, where contestants perform for judges in groups of three or more. Luning was one of 104 aspiring singers to make it to the Dolby Theatre, from an initial pool of about 75,000. A winner will be crowned in May.

The elimination, which actually happened back in December, was not a big surprise, Luning said.

"The day of the performance, we sat down and did interviews during the morning and then we performed late that afternoon," said Luning, who classifies himself as a singer of Americana music. "We were able to do a rehearsal that day, but it's a whole different ballgame on stage. In rehearsals, we sounded really good.

"I think we did all right (in front of judges). But one of the problems is that in a group setting, it doesn't always play to everyone's strengths. I feel like it could have been a better song. There were some people who were struggling. Harry (Connick Jr., one of three "Idol" judges) said something like some people are meant to be runners-up. I felt like we were done then."

The performance wasn't shown on the episode that aired Thursday.

The group with Luning included Lindsay Pedicone, 18, of Kennett Square, Pa.; Casey McQuillen, 21, from Andover, Mass.; and Donald Reed, 26, from Opelousas, La.

They sang the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way," although Luning voted for a different approach.

"We had to come up with the vocals, the arrangement, the choreography," he explained. "The cool thing was that we had a vocal coach. We finally got to bed that night about 3:30 a.m., and we were up for breakfast at 6:30 a.m.


"Our group was actually pretty cool. We had an indie singer, a folk and pop singer, an R&B singer, and I was Americana. We picked the Backstreet Boys song. We all knew the song, but it was not my first choice. I wanted to sing 'The Chain' by Fleetwood Mac."

Luning, 27, is a graduate of Summerfield Waldorf School in Santa Rosa.

His initial "Idol" tryout was at AT&T Park in San Francisco last summer, and he isn't opposed to trying out again next year. Age limits for participation on the show are 15 to 28.

"It has been a huge push with my career," Luning said. "I've been working with a booking agency for festival gigs and singing at a lot of other places. And a lot of people now know about my music."

The show featuring his performance of an original song that aired two weeks ago was seen by an estimated 18 million viewers. Luning was not shown on this week's two episodes. - The Press Democrat - Bill Pinella - February 7, 2014

Forestville's David Luning cleared two more hurdles on "American Idol" on Wednesday night. Only one was expected.

Luning, 27, had passed the show's audition phase earlier and advanced to the Hollywood portion of the show, or so he thought.

"I flew down to L.A. from Sonoma County airport and the next day they didn't tell us where we were going after we got on the buses," Luning said of the show taped in December. "But we arrived at this airport hangar (in Santa Monica) and I was thinking to myself, 'Is this where they are going to host the Hollywood auditions?'"

Luning said the "American Idol" folks opened up the hangar and proceeded to call out the names of people who would be moving on to Hollywood, including Luning. The rest, it turned out, were given one last-ditch chance to sing and salvage their appearance on the show. Many were sent home from the hangar.

The next day, portions of which were shown Wednesday night, was the real Hollywood segment. Luning did an a capella cover of Little Walter's "My Babe," which wasn't aired, and advanced.

With the 75,000 who initially tried out for "Idol" down to fewer than 125, that is where tonight's show at 8 on Fox picks up. The winner will be crowned in May.

For more, visit idol.blogs.pressdemocrat.com. - The Press Democrat - Bill Pinella - February 6, 2014

LOS ANGELES — You can officially remove the “small-town” label from David Luning's resume.

Yes, he is from Forestville — population 3,300 give or take on a good day — and still lives there.

Yes, he went to Summerfield Waldorf School & Farm — enrollment approximately 350, and that's preschool through high school.
And, yes, he promotes himself through social media. As of noon Thursday he had 2,038 Likes on his Facebook page. Today that number is likely to increase immensely.

Why?
On Thursday night's second show of Season XIII of “American Idol,” Luning performed an original song in front of judges Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. and he received their approval and a gold ticket to move on to the next round of the competition.
Wednesday's season-opening show was watched by about 18 million viewers and expectations were that that number wouldn't drop much Thursday night.

“Afterward, Keith (Urban) told me he liked my song and he would buy my record,” Luning said. “That was pretty cool.
“The entire process was kind of a blur,” he admitted. “I mean auditioning in front of three superstars like that ... it was really, really cool.”

After getting the judges' approval, he did the obligatory walk off the set and into the jubilant arms of mom Kathy, dad Michael and aunt Paulette Luning.

And the show, which was taped last fall, happened to air on David's 27th birthday.

He has now passed three enormous hurdles in the Idol journey.
Luning, who performs frequently around Sonoma County, went to last summer's tryout at AT&T Park in San Francisco (“I got there at 4 a.m. that day and it was cold. I was way out in the outfield when I performed,” he recalled), was called back for a second tryout a month later and then was picked for Thursday's show.

At the seven audition sites scattered around the country, 72,000 singers tried out and there were 212 subsequent Golden Tickets awarded.
Luning has one of those.

Now what happens as Idol weaves its way to a May 21st finale at New York City's Madison Square Garden for the first time?
Since much of that already has been recorded, Luning can't say, but the show turns live when it reaches the Hollywood stage. In the past, there have been elimination rounds in Las Vegas and Los Angeles before that round, but that may have changed this year.

According to TV Guide, in December judges and contestants were reunited at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hanger, where they faced a surprise round of eliminations. The round apparently was added as a make-over for the middle episodes, which typically have been the lowest rated.

“In this first portion, the contestants have actually gotten better as a whole and there is less crumbling,” Idol host Ryan Seacrest told TV Guide. “They've been more impressive than we thought when we first met them.”

Luning, who was born in Santa Rosa, moved on to Cotati, then Camp Meeker and finally Forestville. After finishing at Summerfield Waldorf in 2005, he spent a couple of years at UC Santa Cruz before moving on to the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

“I majored in music and electronic film scoring at Berklee for a couple years,” he said. His career path then swerved to “Americana” music.
“It's like Mumford and Sons,” said the accomplished acoustic guitar, harmonica and bass player. “Folk, rock, country.”

So, how did the Idol journey start in the first place? “I hadn't even thought about it,” he admitted, “but my mom kept encouraging me to try out. I'm glad she did. It's a great way to get your music out there.”
(You can visit Luning's website at davidluning.com and follow “American Idol” with daily updates on Bill Pinella's Idol Chatter blog.) - The Press Democrat - January 16, 2014