David Cotton Payton, a multi-talented, award winning, singer, songwriter and actor, has spent much of his life on stage.

Young Cotton, as he was called by his brothers and sisters early on, started playing guitar and singing in churches with his parents in Kentucky at age 6. He lost his father in an accident when he was 8 years old. At age 10 he won regional talent shows, and was sitting in with regional country bands in clubs until age 11, when his mother also suddenly passed away. His oldest brother took him in, and at age 13, his first rock band was featured repeatedly on David Letterman’s regional TV show in Indiana.

In high school, David Payton was in every musical and drama production presented, most notably as Conrad Birdie in "Bye-Bye Birdie", and Tony in "West Side Story", winning his school's Best Actor Thespian Award.

Graduating at 17, David Payton immediately went on the road full-time as lead guitarist and vocalist with national Christian recording groups including: "Eternity", "The Cruse Family", "David Teems & The Calling", "Free Fare", and Grammy Award winners "Mylon LeFevre & Broken Heart". David was featured on the Grammy-nominated "Sheep In Wolves Clothing" album and concert video.

In 1991, David Payton recorded his first solo CD, "I Got Wise", which was released nationally on Refuge Records. His songs were also included on the worldwide release, "Heavenly Blues". This was followed by continuous touring as a solo artist and also with his band "David Payton & the Basics" for the next 12 years.

David Payton has performed in 48 States, 5 Canadian Provinces, Mexico, Jamaica, Italy, and Israel. He has shared the stage with Christian greats: Amy Grant, Michael W Smith, Newsboys, Bob Carlisle, Phil Keaggy, Petra, The Gaithers, Russ Taff, The Imperials and many more. As lead guitarist and vocalist of U.S. Beat, David has performed for Microsoft, CNN, Nokia, Georgia Pacific, the Sugar Bowl and many others. He has also performed for over 2 dozen State Governors at Gov. Sonny Perdue’s Governor’s Ball with special guest: American Idol’s Diana DeGarmo.

Dramatically, David Payton also portrayed Jesus before thousands in Atlanta’s Mount Paran Church Musical Passion production for years. Currently, David is portraying "Stanley" in Medallion Performing Arts’ professional production of "Smoke on the Mountain" at the Cumming Playhouse in Cumming, GA. "Smoke" is a musical comedy in which David acts, sings, dances, plays guitar & banjo, (and almost punches out a preacher!)

David Cotton Payton’s new band "Cotton & the PayTones", an Americana (rock-blues-country) band that combines an eclectic mix of cool cover songs with David's own original music to please an increasing following of enthusiastic fans. They are currently scheduling parties, weddings, corporate and other events.

David Payton started Atlanta Certified Stucco, LLC, which he owns and runs with his partner, best friend, and soul mate, his lovely wife Charlotte Otwell Payton. They make their home in Austell, Georgia with 4 dogs and 4 cats.