Leo Kottke, Charles Ives, Miles Davis, Phil Keaggy, Joni Mitchell, Gustav Mahler, Gene Bertoncini, Beatles, John Fahey, Chet Atkins, Lenny Breau, Pablo Casals, Jacqueline Du Pre, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Kenneth Graham, Tiny Tim, street-corner musicians
Sounds Like
Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Trapezoid, Nick Drake, Eddie Munster
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At an early age, Dan spent long hours listening to a 50's era Zenith console, playing and replaying the the one 45 rpm single each of Eddie Arnold and Fats Domino, and the 78's of Dinah Shore and Haydn's "Surprise" Symphony. The imprint on an impressionable young mind was profound, and you might say he never recovered.
Drifting from rock, to country to jazz; to blues, Bach and back again, Dan's own music failed to develop. And then, one late night laying awake in a fleabag motel, Dan saw the light. It turned out to the flickering neon sign from "Murph's Café" next door. As fate would have it, the very next day as Dan was dining at that same café, savoring the only item on the menu he could afford; a small order of chili-cheese fries. His eyes were drawn to the Elvis portraits in black velvet, and just below, a small smeared blackboard with the lunch special, "Murph's Bologna Burger". At that moment inspiration struck and would have knocked Dan's socks off, had he been wearing any. The central question was clear....why top your burger with bologna and not chili? It was time to play real music, music that tops off the meaty taste of life like chili on a flame grilled hamburger still dripping with the satisfying essence of fullness. It was from this point the distinct and varied music he called "New Appalachian" began to come forth. (As along as he stayed away from the fifth).
Over the years Dan has performed/recorded with Phil Keaggy (Grammy nominee and Dove award winner), Robin Kessinger (1985 National Flatpicking Champion), Nedra Talley Ross (Ronettes), Phil Madeira (Nashville songwriter, recording artist) Lance DeMers (Hannah's Prayer), John Fischer, Jenny Allinder, Ted Sandquist and others.
Dan’s first solo CD, INTO THE FLOW, received glowing reviews and was a “Viewer’s Choice” award winner on Kweevak.com. His second CD, I THINK OF HOME, built on this musical vision, expanding the range of expression for Appalachian music. The songs received recognition in several songwriting competitions, including an Honorable Mention in the Billboard song contest.
Dan's third CD, WAYFARING STRANGER (2006) placed third in Kweevak's Listener's Choice Awards. One tune, "Big Gene", won Honorable Mention in the SONG OF THE MONTH contest. The CD was a showcase for his songwriting abilities. Traditional storytelling is mixed with a measured touch of contemporary sounds. Dan's often-praised guitar skills shine brightly in these arrangements.
Dan's latest release, BACK TO MORGANTOWN (2008), is all acoustic. It features his bone-janglin' finger-picking guitar. Not to mention the songs about the rejected, the songs that long for a love far away, and the story of some pretty odd characters (and some pretty inexplicable behavior). Some older stuff too; A soaring instrumental version of the traditional tune, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" is meted out on Dan's old acoustic guitar. The music ends with the old Scottish song, "Annie Laurie"; a simple arrangement, with guitar, vocal and cello.
The Dominion Post has described Dan's playing as "guitar genius"
and by Ben Ohmart of Music Dish as "luscious."
“The guitar is outstanding! I’m talking great technique, great emotion and inventive playing.”
-www.southofmainstream.com
"Dan Cunningham plays his guitar the way a man loves a woman---
with heart and caring and affection." Richard Fuller
Discography:
Courts of the King (1976) Ted Sandquist
Emerging (1977) Phil Keaggy Band
Let The Whole Earth (1984) Ted Sandquist
Be My Refuge (1985) Ted Sandquist
Not For Flatpickers Only (1986) Robin Kessinger
Re-Emerging (2000) Phil Keaggy Band
Into The Flow (2001)
Thread Of Healing (2002) Karen Taylor
I Think Of Home(2003)
Wayfaring Stranger (2006)
Back To Morgantown (2008)
Dan has performed/recorded with these artists (among others):
John Fischer
Phil Keaggy (Dove award winner, Grammy nominee)
Phil Madeira (Nashville songwriter, Buddy Miller Band)
Ted Sandquist
Nedra Talley Ross (Ronettes)
Jenny Allinder
Robin Kessinger (1985 National Flatpick Champ)
hey ya Dan..this is jerry from KY- we're practically neighbors! last time we talked you asked if i still play gigs..and i do. not exactly hundreds of 'em, but over the years i guess i could say that! (dozens and dozens? Many are freebies; some are PROfessional. it's hard to tell them apart these days) thanks for your music!
Just popping in to get a quick fix of that Pick'n'dawg artistry. Hope you guys are recuperating from your Boston trip, and getting back to routine. All the best from over here in P'burg and surroundings.
Thanks for the add, I think your music is great btw, I like the style.
If you get a free moment, please take a listen to our first Chill out release "Beach Music, Cafe Music & Bar Music Collection" by ACO Ambient Chill Out. We'd love to know what you think of it!
Cheers
ACO
Re: photos of graffiti. That would be really, REALLY neat! I hate to think of all the interesting temporary aspects (e.g. graffiti, old buildings, etc.) of this town that are gone forever just because nobody thought to take a picture; it would be great to see some of it chronicled online.
Thanks Dan. Soup and Cracker night should be fun!. Me, Minnie K, Big Red and Dr. Martin "The Beat Doctor" have been working hard to bring some good tunes to town. See you at the Bear or the Moose!
Dan, thanks for dropping by with the goodies. I was able to give my undivided attention to the CD while driving home, and it gave me much enjoyment. What a great recorded guitar sound! You are doing some cool things in your home studio. I'll write more later ... Happy New Year!
DC- happy holidays and thanks for checkin out the fresh! We don't know how you did that with the phone but it's pretty sweet. Just a heads up that The fresh is now on iTUNES check it out! thanks..
You know, it's been so long since I've even seen my MySpace page that I forget what it looks like. But, hey, thanks for checking in. I don't know yet when I'll be able to make it to Morgeyville again, but hopefully it won't be long. I'll soon be dropping the page for the PRESS CD and adding the songs to the wvguitar page. Too much trouble tryin' to handle both. Take care ...
Sir Dan, good to see you at Borders the other night. Our "Relay For Life" gig went well, but it was cold and damp. I like the P.K.B. pic with the music stands. You guys look like the Vienna Boys Choir (Vienna, WV, that is) ... have a great Memorial Day weekend!
