The Official Biography for D.R. Pedraza
Born: January 12, 1965 (age 46)
Laredo, Texas, United States
Real Name: David Rodney Pedrazine
Occupation: Novelist, screenwriter, producer, director
Songwriter, Band Manager
Genres: drama, historical fiction, fantasy
Children: Blake Meyer
Spouses: Lesley Dale McPherson Pedrazine
Dawn Marie Rutherford Pedrazine
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Influences: David Eddings, Stephen King, Piers Anthony
Robert Rodriguez, Billy Bob Thornton, Doug Sahm,
Michael Guerra
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David Rodney Pedrazine (born January 12, 1965) is an American born author of Spanish Royal descent. He is an author of historical fiction, fantasy and drama as well as a lyricist and screenwriter. His first novel, The Solomon Chronicles: Sangre del Unico, was published by Iuniverse Publishing in 2008. He produced his first short film, The Last Rose, in June of 2010.
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Early life
Pedrazine was born in Laredo, Texas, the third son of Trinidad Salinas and Richard Pedrazine. At an early age the family moved from Laredo to San Antonio. When Pedrazine was six years old, he sent a complete Star Trek script accompanied by crayon illustrations to the local CBS affiliate (KENS-TV) that was airing reruns of the cancelled series. He received a letter back from the station manager praising him for his writing abilities but also informing him that the series had been out of production for nearly ten years. This was the "lightning rod moment" that set him on his course of writing stories.
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Education and early creativity
Pedrazine attended Beacon Hill Elementary but it was at Mark Twain Junior High School that his creativity exploded. He credits one particular teacher, Brenda Foley, for the success he would find later in life.
"Brenda Foley brought light to my life and opened my eyes to the world of drama, art, and writing. She was a creative genius that kept my world in balance when my life at home was in turmoil."
After Junior High, Pedrazine attended Thomas A. Edison High where his creative activity was curtailed as he followed his elder brother Richard's footsteps and entered the school's Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) . He was an active member through his Junior year. In that time, he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was a member of the Drill Team. By his Junior year, he was Drill Team Commander and led his unit to State Competition where they finished in 4th Place. Pedrazine did not return for his Senior year as he wished to be a "normal" student.
After military service, Pedrazine went back to school. He enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio where, after reading a "pathetic" edition of Sports in the school paper, The Paisano, he immediately went to apply to write sports. Within two months, Pedrazine was the Sports Editor with two reporters under him. During his military career, Pedrazine attended a number of institutions to include:
Pikes Peak Community College
The University of Chicago
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Military Service
Immediately after High School, Pedrazine joined the United States Army at the San Antonio MEPPS Station and by September of 1983 entered basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Private First Class (E-3). Immediately after basic training, Pedrazine was assigned the MOS 54 C, Chemical Operations Specialist and sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) . Upon Reenlistment, changed MOS to 75B and became a part of the first class to introduce the TACCS computer system earning the R3 designator (75B10R3) at Fort Benjamin Harisson.
The following are the units Pedrazine served in .
1. 25th Chemical Company, 8th Infantry Division – Bad Kreuznach, USAEUR
2. Personnel Administration School – Ft. Ben Harrison, IN
3. 1st Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division – Fort Carson, Co.
4. 5th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, 8th Infantry Division, Wackernheim, USAEUR
5. 5th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, Attached to 3rd Armored Division for Desert Storm,
Commendations and Awards
Army Service Ribbon
Driver and Mechanic Badge
Expert Marksmanship Badge
National Defense Service Medal
Overseas Service Ribbon X 2
Good Conduct Medal X 2
Army Achievement Medal X 5
NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Commendation Medal (For Exemplary Service During Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm)
Southwest Asia Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars
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DB Media Entertainment
Formed at the end of 2008, DB Media's first production was the San Antonio Tardeada Music Festival which featured four Grammy Award winning acts. The show was held at Ruben's Place in Selma Texas.
Writing Under a Pseudonym
Pedrazine chose to use a pseudonym in recognition of his Ancestral Name of Pedraza.
The Solomon Chronicles: Sangre del Unico
The first novel by Pedraza "The Solomon Chronicles: Sangre del Unico" was published in 2009 by Iuniverse and tells the tale of a man in the 14th Century who discovers he is the only remaining blood descendant of King Solomon and is thrust into a battle of good vs. evil with the fate of not only Europe but mankind on the line.
Charleston International Film Festival
The screenplay "Gentlemen Gunfighters" was selected as a Finalist in the 2012 Charleston International Film Festival
The Michael Guerra Band
Teaming with multi-instrumentalist Michael Guerra, Pedraza began sharing songs, writing new songs and helped to create songs on the debut album "The Michael Guerra Band." One single, "Break Away," is expected to be the third single released. Peaked at # 23 on the Texas Charts and #29 Nationally. The album went on to win Tex-Mex/Tejano Band of the Year in the 2012 Fox Music USA Awards show in Houston.
The Nights Calling
The new band from Michael Guerra and again teams up with the Mavericks multi-talented accordionist. Collaborated with Guerra on songs for the TNG debut including two, "Such A Girl Like That" and "Living Out Your Lies."
Films Completed
2012
To Protect and Serve
2014
The Last Rose Official Selection in the 2015 Freedom Festival
Shut-Out: A Baseball Film
2015
My Tempest Official Selection 2015 Texas Ultimate Shorts Fest, Semi-Finalist 2016 MCNY Film Fest, Official Selection 2016 Industry Boost Competition, Semi-Finalist 2018 Oregon Cinema Arts Festival
2016
A Chance to Say Goodbye
Screenplays
2012
Gentlemen Gunfighter Finalist in the Charleston International Film Festival (Top 10%)
2015
Wake Traci Finalist in the 2015 Industry Boost Competition
2016
A Chance to Say Goodbye Finalist in the 2016 Industry Boost Competition
Television
2016-2017
Slate Me! (30 episodes as Head Writer/Producer)
2018
Jacob's Pass - New TV Show in Development (Creator/Head Writer)
Novels
2008
The Solomon Chronicles: Sangre del Unico
2013
The Solomon Chronicles: Revisions
Marriages and Children
Pedrazine has one son, Blake, with former girlfriend Patricia Meyer. Blake is currently a member of the United States Army's 82nd Airborne Corp and has participated in the Iraq War.
Pedrazine met his first wife Lesley McPherson while in school at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. They were married at South of the Border in South Carolina.