Dave Leporati
Dave worked briefly as a test pilot for the U.S. Air Force. Experiencing vertigo at over 30,000 ft., he was forced to leave. He pursued a career with Hoover Vacuum, Inc., working door-to-door sales. Upon entering the home of a potential customer, he by chance saw a beater mandolin hanging on the wall. Dave swapped a Hoover upright Electra glide (Model 404) straight across and hightailed it to Nogales, Mexico, where he honed his chops playing strip clubs with Cesar Tempesta and the Norte Americanos. Ill health brought him to Tally in 1998, where he met The Mayhaws.