Meet Davis. He’s found his ‘happy place’ (video)

During the 1960s, manager Brian Epstein was often referred to as ‘The Fifth Beatle.’

One could say the Sault’s Davis Kelly is local band MOJO’s fourth member.

Davis plays his electronic drum pad kit along with the band (consisting of Alex D'Ettorre, lead guitarist and vocalist, Brad Stephen, bassist and Ric Datson, drummer, who play rock and blues classics) for their first two or three songs during their weekly Thursday night shows at Reggie’s West at 306 Korah Rd., then packs up his kit and joins friends and patrons for an evening of fun and social interaction at the club.

“I love drums for sure...it makes me happy. I’ve loved the drums since I was a kid,” said Davis, speaking to SooToday Thursday.

He also gleefully blows on a train whistle and claps his hands to get the crowd hopping.

It doesn’t take long for Reggie’s West patrons to get up on the dance floor as Davis gets them pumped up.

He has played along with MOJO for the past two years, starting off by accompanying the band on harmonica before he brought his electronic drum pad kit in eight months ago.

“Davis is very inviting. He likes to get people involved,” said Kelly McGillivray, a Community Living Algoma community support worker who works with Davis.

“The drums were at his house and I didn’t know he was so good on them. He loves it. It’s been a lot of fun for him. We brought the drums in one night and the band let him plug in.”

“He was doing drum rolls on it, and everyone loved him,” McGillivray said.

“For me, this is all about integration for Davis. He’s slowly gotten to know the band, they’ve gotten to know him and developed their own friendships.”

“These relationships have been built on their own, they’re natural. That’s really special. For me, it means I’ve been successful at finding Davis a place where he has a sense of belonging.”

“He’s found his happy place,” McGillivray said.

Davis has worked in theatre in the past and loves it.

He has also jammed with bands like Dusty Roads at the Indian Friendship Centre and Flashback at Reggie’s, and also loves The Spice Girls.  

Davis has volunteered for Rotary, Bushplane Days and Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Big Bike event.

A former employee of the now-closed Churchill Plaza Bowling Lanes, Davis is available for work.

He would love more opportunities to participate in his community, especially in the east end of the city.  

“He will add to an employer’s business just because of his positive and uplifting attitude and energy. He always comes with someone who can keep him on task and teach him how to be successful,” McGillivray said.

Any employer who wants to give Davis more opportunities to shine may contact Kelly McGillivray at Community Living Algoma by email