D TRAIN. Photo by Ed Foster
D TRAIN – Flying on the Wings of His Faith
BY SHERYL ARONSON
D TRAIN, a singer, songwriter, producer, and actor, constructed a prolific career in the entertainment industry for over 40 years. At the center of this artist’s creative being is his relationship with God – a soulful purpose to inspire and melt the hearts of the audience when singing on stage. Growing up in the church in Brooklyn, NY, D TRAIN sang in the church choir, where his musical and ethical education was formulated.
“I sang in the choir where my voice was groomed. It was a great spiritual foundation, and I carried it over to the music industry,” said D TRAIN.
Music wasn’t D TRAIN’s first love – it was football. At Erasmus Hall High School, he played defensive tackle on the football team, and this is where he received the nickname D TRAIN after the MTA Brooklyn subway … the team’s captain said of him, “When he hits you, it’s like being hit by a train.”
Seemingly guided by the hand of God to a career in music – D TRAIN fell into fate’s hands when he sang backup vocals for his pal Will Downing at a recording session and caught the attention of musician and producer Hubert Eaves. The two became a group, and in 1981 they had their first hit single, “You’re the One For Me.” From top billboard hits to six albums, touring the world, performing in films and television, to hosting radio shows … D TRAIN has flown on the wings of success where he recommits his faith in God every day.
D TRAIN. Photo by Ed Foster
Chic Compass: How did you begin your singing career?
D TRAIN: I grew up in the church and sang in the choir where singer Ronnie Dyson (who had the song “If You Let Me Make Love”) attended. Reverend Al Sharpton was my junior church minister. Growing up in a Christian home, there were lines you did not cross, and I’m grateful for those lines because they kept me out of a lot of trouble.
Chic Compass: As a young man, did you know that being a professional musician was your destiny?
D TRAIN: I wanted to be a football player. I didn’t want to be a singer even though I could sing.
Chic Compass: Will Downing, an amazing vocalist, was responsible for jump-starting your singing career.
D TRAIN: I’ve known Will since the 10th grade at Erasmus High School. One day, I went into the Chapel, and these three guys were standing around the piano singing. Will says, “Hey man, how are you doing? Are you a singer?” I said, “I’m a football player, but I can sing.”
I started singing, and their jaws dropped because I was captain of the football team. They asked me to join the Choral Academy. I said, “No, I’m not doing that.” However, I ended up joining both choral choirs, and Will and I have remained friends since that time.
After graduating from Erasmus, Will did song demos and songwriting for people like Melba Moore. One day he called me into the studio and said he had a song he was working on and would like me to sing background vocals. During the recording session, a guy walks into the studio and was listening to the music. The next thing I know, Will tells me that this big producer loves my voice and wants me to come to his house and write some songs. I’m flabbergasted. The next day I jumped on the train and went to the producer’s house. The rest is history! The name of this gentleman was Hubert Eaves III, and we became partners in writing music and performing.
D TRAIN with fans. Photo courtesy of D TRAIN.
Chic Compass: Working on that first song with Hubert Eaves got your first record deal.
D TRAIN: That’s right. Hubert said, “I got this track I’m working on, and it’s called “You’re the One For Me,” but I don’t have any lyrics.” I said, “Play it again and give me a pen.” I started writing, and within an hour, we recorded the demo with the lyrics. It wound up in the hands of Prelude Records. They signed us to a deal, and I was 19 years old.
Chic Compass: How did you handle the lifestyle of becoming a recording star at such a young age?
D TRAIN: Actually, I got married, bought a house, and started raising my family. However, I kept hearing “You’re 20 years old, and you’re supposed to be the sex symbol. You’re ruining your career.” I did not care about that. I was on the road with Parliament Funkadelic and making good money, and I had a wonderful family that I came home to after I got off the road.
Chic Compass: How have you developed emotionally and spiritually while dealing with being a celebrity?
D TRAIN: When you’re young, it’s about ego. It’s not that you’re a millionaire, but you’re making money at 21 years old that most kids don’t make. People are recognizing you on the street, and people in your neighborhood and church are proud of you. Luckily, I was grounded in my faith, and my faith kept my ego grounded – my family kept me grounded. I still had to go home and change diapers and shovel snow.
Now at 60 years old, it’s not so much about how good or great you are… it’s about who you can bless. Every morning I pray and meditate for an hour from 5:30 to 6:30. I talk to God. I can deal with anything outside that door in the world around me because I’ve established my communication with God. I do not take any days off.
When I get on stage, I ask God to use me because everybody that comes to my show has different emotions: some of them are going through a bad divorce, lost their jobs, or lost their husbands, and I want them to feel better. I do that by allowing God to use me as his vessel every time I open my mouth. I take myself out of the equation and check my ego at the door. I’ve seen breakthroughs. I’ve seen miracles. I’ve seen tough dudes like my friend John Leto, a private investigator in Long Island, New York, start crying. I’ve had this experience over and over with families and individuals. I want to break through the walls of whatever people are going through. It’s a spiritual approach because some people who are not religious and do not believe in God know they were touched by something.
D TRAIN. Photo by Ed Foster
Chic Compass: You’ve had hit songs, and hit albums, have toured the world, worked in television and film, and been a producer … look at your career and talk about the highlights.
D TRAIN: My first big highlight was in 1985 when I opened for Smokey Robinson at the Radio City Music Hall. My mom, dad, aunts, and uncles were in the front row. The second big highlight was performing at Wembley Arena in 1986 in front of a crowd of more than 17,000 people opening for Chaka Khan. Also working with Michael Jackson in the studio on his album “Invincible,” working on “Dance with My Father” with Luther Vandross in the studio, and working with Bette Midler. I was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center Honors from 2012 to 2014. I was called by the Catholic Church to sing for Pope Francis in 2015 at Madison Square Garden.
Now, here’s a story … Prince’s keyboard player called me and asked if Prince could sing my song “You’re the One For Me” at the LA forum, saying “we’re doing it for 21 nights.” I said, “God bless him, and tell Prince I thank him very much for doing my song.” Later that same year, Prince died. I get a phone call a year after he died, and it was my friend Rob Mathes who told me that the Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra would like me to go on tour with them to sing “Purple Rain.” I was shocked. Then I realized Prince got me the gig. It was another huge spiritual moment for me. The first time I sang “Purple Rain,” I got a standing ovation.
Chic Compass: What are you working on now?
D TRAIN: I’ve been touring Greece and London, then I did Lyon, France, about 2-3 weeks ago. Last week I was in Detroit, and this coming week I’m in Purchase, NY. I just finished recording my 7th studio album. I’m going to release it in probably April of 2023. I’m shooting the music videos now. I’m starting my podcast and interviewing big-name artists like Michael McDonald, Vanessa Williams, etc. I have already done my interview with Will Downing. The podcast will be global.
I want to go to a higher spiritual level by being alone with God, which is my primary purpose, and everything I do goes forward with Him.