Catch a Rising Star

David St. Romain is a passionate guy.

He’s passionate about causes, helping children, his south Louisiana roots and music. Especially writing songs, performing live and finding his niche.

“There’s something that will live forever in me about trying to help people,” the 33-year-old said. “I want what I do to have a purpose.”

No surprisingly, 100 percent of the proceeds from St. Romain’s self-penned single, “That’s Love,” a tune born out of a sister’s decision to donate her kidney, to the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. He’s also played gigs to help Special Olympics, United Way, the military (he’s a former Louisiana National Guardsman) and other equally worthy causes.

It’s his personal nod to the Man Upstairs for blessing the Baton Rouge father of two with the talent and opportunity to be pursuing his life’s love.

St. Romain comes by his love for music naturally. He grew up hearing his dad’s favorites: ’60s stars. The Beatles, Kenny Rogers and Neil Diamond.

“My first cassette tape was Huey Lewis & The News’ ‘Sports,'” St. Romain recalled. “The ‘Heart of Rock ‘n Roll’ and ‘If This Is It.’ My oldest brother gave me that for Christmas when I was about 6.'”

By middle school, Metallica, Guns ‘N Roses and other hard rockers were added to the mix. And later, as St. Romain began developing his musical sound, he was tuned in to soulful, harmonies of Boyz II Men. But it was at a Travis Tritt/Marty Stuart concert at age 19 that the Alexandria, La., native latched on to country.

St. Romain’s eclectic musical tastes are evident in his stage performances. Take country, southern rock, sultry R&B and a dash of Cajun and blues … add a big dose of energy and you’ve got the makings of a night with David St. Romain, or DSR as he’s known to his fan club.

“With the amount of accessibility, music listeners have so much to choose from. I would be surprised if you could find people who listen to just one style of music anymore,” he said. “My shows tend to reflect my varied tastes. Like my audiences, I’m a diverse listener.”

By his early 20s, St. Romain made the trek to Nashville in hopes of finding fortune. While there, he did score studio work with Music Row’s top musicians. Among his contacts, he befriended Shawn Pennington, one of the producers of “Nashville Star.”

Pennington invited St. Romain to audition, and the Cajun singer landed a spot on the show’s fifth season. He came in third to brother-and-sister contenders Angela and Zac Hacker.

But the take-away for St. Romain was enormous.

“I look back at my audition (posted on YouTube) and my hair looks so bad and I look so cheesy. I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Emotionally, I was extremely excited.

“I never expected to get the support of our state like I did,” St. Romain continued. “You don’t realize how many people you touch until something like that happens. And I still see that support every time I do a show. I’m surprised how many people still remember that like it was yesterday.”

Like other contenders, St. Romain had hoped record labels would knock down his door.

“I’m not going to lie, I had hoped to get a record deal and maybe be a little further along than I am,” he admitted. “But if you want to see God laugh, tell him your plans.

“I know God has a plan for me. I don’t know what exactly that is,” St. Romain said. “I know I am supposed to make music, to have a purpose and utilize that to help people. I didn’t know what the to expect what [‘Nashville Star’] would bring, but the truth is it has done nothing but wonderful things for me. It taught me so much and introduced me as an artist to so many people, not just the public but in this business, too.”

Continuing to work the radio circuit to get his latest release played, “All I Really Wanted to Say,” which includes six songs St. Romain wrote himself, the artist has captured hearts with “Twenty Years Late,” a thank-you song to moms.

“I see a lot of people, men and women, get teary eyed when I sing this,” he said. “It had the same impact on me when I heard it. By the middle, I was crying like a baby. There’s no question about it, the emotion comes out naturally.”

The same release also offers up “Let’s Get Down (The Underwear Song),” a foot-stomping, bar room rocker that strips down to the essentials of relationships. A blend of love and fun songs, St. Romain said the album is a reflection of passion.

“These songs hopefully give purpose and, at the same time, have fun,” he said. “We have to step back from seriousness and take a breath and laugh for a second. That way, we are re-energized so we came come back and fight for the cause, whatever it is.”

St. Romain is hard at work on his next project, “writing like crazy and collecting songs.” Among them is a song “that’s sure to be a massive hit.”

Locals can hear St. Roman Sunday, Sept. 4, on the main stage from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival in Morgan City.

David St. Romain brings his act to the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival in Morgan City on Sunday, Sept. 4, taking the stage at 9 p.m.