Kate Kettler
From childhood Dave Busby had a strong pull in two directions —
electronics and music. His first “victim” in music was the French
horn, but when he picked up the guitar in his early teens his
natural talent blossomed.
“My parents thought it was like a circus act. They would turn on
the radio and I could play anything,” Busby said.
As his musical ability grew so did his passion for the art. He
wrote music, formed a garage band and played at every party or bar
possible. However, after devoting much time and energy in the bar
scene, Busby began to notice some of the people around him.
“There were people in there 40s still thinking their big break
was just around the corner,” he said. “They had lived so many years
with nothing to show for it. No family. Not even a car that ran
well. I realized my musical career was probably not going to happen
the way I envisioned it.”
At 22 Busby left his music prospects to earn a degree in
electronics from Devry University in Arizona.
“ I had built my own amplifier and made an electric guitar. My
grandfather saw my ability with electronics and encouraged my
parents to help me pursue it,” Busby said.
After 15 years working with technology Busby has become a master
of the inner workings of the digital chip. His designs are
minuscule but they provide amazing functions many consumers take
for granted everyday. Busby’s electronic designs are only .2 of one
micron. That is one-fifth the size of one-hundredth of a human
hair. But when they are all put together they take on the
appearance of a Native American weaving and are able to perform
tasks to operate cars, video games or cell phones. Busby has helped
to create parts for PlayStation controllers, keyless entry for
Porsche, noninvasive termite sensors and even a talking Barney
toy.
“Digital technology still has to get from the outside world to
the inside world, that’s where I come in,” he said. “The modern
digital cell phone actually has more analog circuit than the old
analog phones.”
The latest technology in Busby’s computer is a serializer
/deserializer. This expertise will enable cars to have an intercom
function for all multimedia devices. The phone, DVD, GPS, stereo,
as well as the driver’s voice, will be available from any seat in
the vehicle. Working in microscopic proportions has never ceased to
amaze Busby.
“A project ‘this size,’” he said indicating his pinky
fingernail, “takes about a year to complete.”
Despite his success in electronics, Busby still felt like
something was missing. Two years ago he put his finger on it; it
was time to get back into music.
“I never totally put it away,” he said. “I kind of wrote and I
sort of recorded, but it wasn’t the focus it needed to be.”
Busby decided to audition for the band Polar Radio with lead
singer Dusty Hughes. Hughes had recorded with household names such
as The Cranberries, David Bowie and Fleetwood Mac.
As lead guitar, background vocals and co-writer for Polar Radio,
“Buzz” is growing toward his artistic goal. What he hopes to
achieve is not the American Idol dreams of his youth, but rather
true musicianship.
“What I want out of music has changed as I’ve grown and
matured,” he said. “My family comes first. I want to raise children
that are responsible and contribute to society. That accomplishment
would mean more to me than being on the cover of Rolling
Stone.”
Busby describes his style as contemporary alternative rock with
a positive and uplifting message. With Hughes gravelly voice and a
heavy rock beat, it’s not surprising that three of Polar Radio’s
song caught significant airtime. With their next CD coming out next
week, Busby is hoping for more time on the radio.
“There is really no correlation between good art and successful
art. However, a measure of success for me would be if my music
could support itself. I don’t need to be rich or famous,” he
said.
Joining one band was not quite enough for Busby to get his fill
of music. When he picked up his guitar again, he not only
remembered his rock background but bluegrass as well. For two years
Busby has been a member of the Mountain Acoustic Music Association
(MAMA), participating the Bluegrass Slow Jam.
He also teaches private lessons.
Polar Radio is releasing its second official CD, “Uphill
Revolution,” on March 20. For ticket information or to learn more
about the band visit www.polaradio.com