The Subway Music in the Zoo concert series has been calling the Minnesota Zoo home for the past 21 years. We recently had the pleasure of chatting with headliner, Nicholas David, in preparation for his upcoming performance on Friday, August 15.

Aside from being an all-around awesome guy who is great at music, David has a real affinity for animals and the environment, which we at the Minnesota Zoo appreciate.  “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve wanted to be a zookeeper,” says David. Even to this day, he says it would still be his dream job. “It’s great because this has even been passed down a generation to my eldest son, who loves animals too.”

David grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and frequented his neighborhood zoo, the Como Zoo, as a young child. Once his family moved to the southern suburbs in 1986, they began visiting the Minnesota Zoo. “I have always loved animals,” explained David. “I remember coming to the [Minnesota] Zoo in the late 80’s and participating in a running race. It was awesome.”

To the question, “If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why,” David replied, “A lion. I think my beard and hair resembles a lion’s mane…and I can roar like a lion.” Unfortunately, he didn’t demonstrate this skill during the interview.

Along with his love for animals, David and his label, Wake the World, are committed to the environment and minimizing their environmental impact. In an effort of being “green,” all of their CD packaging and mailing materials are 100% recyclable. He described his recent charity work has been focused on kids, which is very valuable, as they are our future and he hoped to pass down his appreciation and respect for the environment to future generations.

The Minnesota Zoo hasn’t just played a part in his childhood. Recently, David and his new bride celebrated their wedding reception at the Zoo. “It was great. We had the entire Tropics Trail open for our guests to see.” David is no stranger to the Subway Music in the Zoo stage either. On June 23, 2007, Nicholas David performed as the keyboardist in his band, the White Iron Band, as an opener to Trampled by Turtles. “My band and I have been to many [Music in the Zoo] shows at the Zoo and we have always wanted to perform on that stage.”

When asked just how excited he is to perform as a headliner in the Subway Music in the Zoo concert series on Friday, August 15, he replied, “So pumped. It’s funny because when I get requests to perform, I usually talk it over with my wife, but when I got this opportunity I knew there was no question.”

You can learn more about Nicholas David’s performance on August 15, see the full Subway Music in the Zoo line-up, purchase tickets and more here.