A musician of pure passion with 750,000 disks sold, the Eastern Shore is sure to ignite during David Wilcox’s upcoming performance. Fairhope is an early stop in this two-and-a-half month tour that stretches from California, to Alabama to Iowa, and sparks are sure to fly.

Wilcox said he hopes his music keeps up with his perpetual motion.

“I have always sung the songs that kept me sane — I love music that moves me, but only if it moves me forward,” he offered. “I don't want to sing songs that stay stuck in the same old illusions that fooled me before. I trust that when a song really moves me, it moves me because it is coming from a place I am going. Each song is like a postcard that inspires me to travel, but instead of just a snapshot of a place, it's a preview of a whole different way of seeing. Through songs, I get to know who I might become, because I experience a joy and peace and gratitude that I know are possible; all I have to do is go the distance.”

When it comes to his music, he said that he is a vessel for sensory experience.

“I am inspired by music that I hear, but I am more inspired by the books I read and the conversations I have as I travel,” he began. “I love going out to listen to music as I think output equals input. If you want to be writing songs you have to be listening.”

With 30 years of experience, Wilcox said he plays the acoustic guitar because of feasibility and sound.

“I travel by air and can't travel with all the electrics and amps,” he explained. “It does fit my personality that the music is welcoming, complex and intricate and deals with tough issues, but shines a light. I guess it's a way of signaling my tribe where I am so they can find me.”

Speaking of finding Wilcox, his tour will stop over on the Eastern Shore at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at The Pavilion at COTA, Church of the Apostles, 7159 McIntyre Street in Fairhope.

He divulged that some of his favorite songs are ones that translate into emotion.

“I like ‘Chain of Anger’ because it talks about confronting anger with a soulful, brave kindness in order to transform it and break the chain of passing it along to the next generation. It's a brave song and it started a great conversation,” he revealed. “I like ‘The New Normal’ because it holds me accountable to turn this life of adversity back into an adventure.”

The Fairhope concert costs $20 per ticket; purchase tickets and learn more at davidwilcox.com or visit Facebook at facebook.com/Davidwilcoxmusic.

For a sneak peak, listen to David's Woody Guthrie-style song “The Occupation” at http://whatarerecords.com/mp3s/THE_OCCUPATION.

“David Wilcox's ongoing musical journey [is]… compelling and richly deserving of a listen.”

Rolling Stone

“A charismatic performance by a star still waiting to be discovered by a much larger audience.”

The New York Times

“Fueled by brilliantly articulate guitar, an honestly pretty baritone, and deft lyrics, he combines the best of both pop and modern folk aesthetics.”

Boston Globe