Waterford Musicians Bennett and Hampton Launch “Coming Home” Album with Event March 28
(Charlie Haviland, March 27, 2025)
Waterford, MI – Pastor Tom Hampton first heard Dave Bennett playing clarinet twenty three years ago when Bennett was a student at Waterford Kettering High School. “I hadn’t met him,” said Hampton, “But I remembered and recognized Dave in the music store some fourteen years later.”
Bennett was gifted in music from an early age, and toured nationally as a teenager. In 2013 he soloed at Carnegie Hall. Now, he said, “I do about 200 gigs a year. I’m so grateful and blessed so far.”
After several solo albums, including Clarinet is King, Blood Moon, and Nowhere Fast, Bennett decided to collaborate with Pastor Hampton on an album which the community can come together to celebrate on March 28.
Bennett’s and Hampton’s synergy is rooted in a common core value: their faith. They both refer to their collaboration “Coming Home” as “gospel.” Apple Music classifies their single “Wayward Stranger “ as “Americana,” a more modern moniker for the diverse landscape of country, folk, blues, bluegrass, and rock.
“Coming Home” isn’t necessarily Cristian music” said Hampton. “Coming Home” is more about telling the truth.”
“‘Coming Home’ is about life,” added Bennett.
When Bennett and Hampton crossed paths at a record store in Waterford, it marked the beginning of a musical friendship. Bennett thought Hampton worked in the store, but, it turned out, they were both customers. Hampton, now 71, has been playing guitar for more than fifty years, often at Community Bible Church in Waterford as lead pastor.
After that fateful meeting, Hampton invited Bennett to a Sunday service where the clarinetist – who also sings, plays the the keys and guitar with equal aplomb – was compelled enough to join the congregation. Since then the pair has been playing together regularly in church, reveling in friendship, faith, and the joy that good music brings to the audience.
And now it’s time to bring that spirit to a wider audience with the “Coming Home” release. The launch takes place on March 28 at Lifepoint Chapel at 5860 Andersonville Road beginning at 7pm. The event is free but donations are accepted.
You may listen to their early release single “Wayward Stranger” from “Coming Home” here
