David Stengele


Meet David Stengele from Kodaikanal, India.

Like the members of America, who are American but grew up in other countries, I am an American, but grew up in India. In India, since we didn't have TV, I read a lot, and wasn't much interested in music. But then in elementary school, I had to take a music class, and we had to write a report on our favorite song . . . a little bit difficult for me, as I didn't as of yet have one. So I turned to my brother to see what cassettes he had, and put on America--he had what I found out later were "History" and "Hideaway". Now since I was interested in reading, and since I had read "Watership Down" by Richard Adams, I was immediately struck by America's song, "Watership Down" on the "Hideaway" album. I had found my favorite song for my report. . . . And I had found my favorite group.

My second "encounter" with America was at a small musical variety show at my school in India--no, America did not perform, but a Chinese man with an acoustic guitar played "Sandman", which I recognized from the "History" album.

When I came to the States on furloughs, I tried to find other America albums--I now have all of their albums on LPs, most on cassettes, and (thanks to the French label) most of them on CD. I've even seen America at least 5 times--the first in 1987 in Allentown, PA; the second in Bethlehem at the Music Fair in 1991, and the rest in various places in 1996 (one of the best concerts being the oceanside concert at Ocean City, Maryland).

I've made up a scrapbook of America items, which includes a letter from Dan Peek and a Christmas card from him, too.

I eagerly await their new album--when's it coming out, guys? :)


Update received August 26, 1999

In January of 1997 I moved to Noborito, Japan (near Tokyo--Kawasaki--Yokohama) where I was working as an English teacher. Some people have asked why I was in India. My parents were missionaries there and that's why I lived there from birth until I was 18 years old. After that I went back to the States to attend the university and then off to China for a year with the Peace Corps, teaching English.

My Dad was from Allentown, Pennsylvania (of Billy Joel song fame), so that's where I call home when I'm in the States.

Recently I moved back to my birthplace in Kodaikanal, India, although I am an American and my parents are American.

Feel free to send your comments or questions to David.



Written: 2 December 1997
Last Revised: 26 August 1999