Dave Stanley grew up in New Jersey twenty-five minutes from the Nuyorican Poet’s Café in New York City. It was there he would compete in his very first poetry slam in 2005.  Dave believes it is a poet’s job to become completely vulnerable on stage.  He is well-known for going into personally painful subjects, such as his adoption and his decade plus struggle with drug addiction.  This addiction took him away from the poetry community in 2006 until his return at the end of 2009.  Since returning Dave has traveled extensively across the country and has performed his poetry in over twenty-five states. He has been featured at the University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Christian University. Dave has now found a way, to not only use his words to help heal himself, but others as well.  “Recovering with Poetry”, a program started by Mr. Stanley bringing workshops and performances into jails, rehabilitation centers, schools, and other arenas in need of healing. In May of 2011, he relocated from New Jersey to the Dallas/Fort Worth where he worked with the 2011 DFW Youth Poetry Slam Team as they were preparing for the Brave New Voices International Poetry Festival, held in San Francisco in July of 2011. Dave Stanley is the Fort Worth National Slam Team’s representative for the 2011 Individual World Poetry Slam.  He will compete against the top 71 male poets from around the world. Dave can also be seen on the 2011 Emmy-nominated series, “Driving Jersey” directed by Steve Rogers alongside fellow artist and singer-songwriter Mash McLain. Together they have founded, “Love-Locks Project”, a fusion of poetry, music and visual art. This project is set for the road in 2012. Dave has released one self-titled album of poetry and a chapbook titled “Lost in the World”. “Return to Me”, is Dave Stanley’s new album and chapbook slated for release in October of 2011.  Make sure to keep your eyes and ears open he will be hitting-the-road for the “Melody of Words Tour” with Texas poet, AJ Houston during the winter of 2011-2012! For booking or to set up an interview contact: davestanleypoetry@gmail.com .