David Smith, 39, is the youngest of six kids born to a high school English teacher and homemaker who later returned to school to earn a master’s degree in counseling.
Raised: On the northwest side of downtown Chicago.
Residence: A 1990 extended Ford van. About the move from Chicago, Smith said: “I know if I have a van — I know the weather in California — I can live in it. I don’t need a day job. I got tired of working 40-50 hours a week for somebody I hated.”
Family: Divorced with one daughter. Aubrey, 15, lives with her mother in Chicago.
Education: Smith quit high school to pursue music.
Background: After spending a few years working in a warehouse, Smith spent seven years playing bars and clubs in Chicago. He moved to Nashville for five years to write songs before heading back to Chicago after his divorce. He moved to Santa Monica in September of 2000.
Hobbies: Writing, reading, basketball.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 26, 2004. Read the original PDF.