2016 Year-End Recap

Hello all

Please forgive my radio silence from this blog for most of this year. 2016 was not especially kind to me, but I am still here. There was certainly much going on musically, but with everything going on I didn't want to talk about it.

I did briefly publish a post detailing everything, but took it down. I don't know if I will re-post it or not.

Regardless, I am still fucking here. And in 2017 I will have my revenge.

So here is a recap for 2016, courtesy my FB page.

2016 RETROSPECTIVE

Not a bad year, but not a great one either for reasons I won't get into. But I stayed busy, played as much as I could, and did some cool stuff. Adrian Conner at RevFest in Kerrville TX, Ocean of Stars summer residency, lots of other highlights as well!

My numbers might be slightly off but so far the breakdown:

159 shows with 15 projects across 7 states.

40 dates with Stupid Drama
30 dates with Thunderosa
22 dates with Bleu Edmondson
19 dates with Adrian Conner
13 dates with Deann Rene Band
12 dates with Eric Tessmer Band
9 dates with Ocean of Stars

As well as gigs with Heather Bishop, Ulrich Ellison, Jen Leigh, Dave Winsman, Taking Back Thaxton, Bricktop Blues Band, Shaun Peace, and Kitty & The Lucky Break.

Closed the year off with an Ocean of Stars gig. I am currently on vacation seeing family through New Years Eve and am not even looking for a gig. This will be the longest visit for me that I can remember, and much needed.

Other highlights: Ocean of Stars recorded and released the digital single "Great Divide". Work is set to resume on the new Stupid Drama record, on which I made my recorded debut as a mandolin player. Had my first session as a harmony vocalist on Rick Hornyak's new record.

I did not work on an RPM Challenge solo album this year (took my first break from participation since 2009), and am deeply regretting that decision now.

Looking to make things happen with Ocean of Stars for 2017. Look for a new EP coming soon (if you run a label who might be interested in us, you can reach me here \m/,)

Looking forward to new musical challenges and making music with and for new people, and continuing to make music with and for old friends. Lost a few of those this year. Tell people you love them.

Hope the coming year finds you all well.

Take care and rock on,
Danny G

I haven't been wanting to post this, but here goes.

Hope you all enjoy the recap of the crazy/weird/terrible/fun/awesome Thunderosa January run.

But late on Sunday Feb 7 (Super Bowl Sunday) I received some terrible news from AJ

Our wonderful host, Bonnie Wade, had passed.

We didn't have any details at the time. It was almost a month to the day when we arrived at her home in Tucson. It had been barely a month since she had been serenading us with songs on the piano, since we had sat down together at the dinner table and ate as a family, holding hands in prayer before doing so. It had been almost a month since she took Drew and I out for a beautiful stroll in the desert. She found an old bleached bone section and gave it to me as a souvenir, and had already placed it with other mementos (cool rocks etc) from that trip and many others.

I was deeply saddened, but more numb with shock. You just assume you will always see people when you pass through their necks of the woods. I was and am set to return to AZ with Adrian Conner in April. Was going to invite her out, even tho the Adrian shows will be centered around the Sedona area.

But things got even more heart-breaking when it was revealed by her family that she had taken her own life.

We were going to keep that detail to ourselves out of respect for her family, but her family released that detail on social media and left it at that. So although I don't want to talk about it, I can. Doesn't make it easier.

She had some things in her life which were troubling her, as we all do. But she seemed eager to move out of the rental house she hosted us in and travel around in her little RV. She was even planning to swing through Austin and say hi to all her friends there. She seemed weary, but also hopeful and excited.

I'm still a little crushed.

There is an Austin memorial service/celebration of her life this Sunday. Unfortunately I will miss it as I'll be returning from a weekend of shows in Oklahoma this weekend.

There are lots of other great things to talk about, but I don't feel like it.


But, for now:

Tell the people you love that you love them.

Tell the people you appreciate that you appreciate them.

Call the people you haven't talked to in awhile. Write a letter. Send a postcard.

If someone wrongs you, forgive them.

Smile and say hi to the people you pass on the street. Pet their dog if it's friendly.

Treat everyone with kindness, for every person you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.


RIP Bonnie Wade

I hope you've found the peace you have been looking for.