Influences

George Strait, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Frank Sinatra

Bio

Born on August 20, 1963 on Long Island, NY, Dan began playing guitar at the age of seven. At an early age, it was clear Dan had a unique gift for music, singing and acting. He was very active in the church folk group and dramatic plays. He won the lead role as Oliver Twist, a play that rivaled Broadway productions and had the town of Bellmore buzzing with delight for the run of the show. But, it was music that clearly won out as Dan’s choice of self-expression. He began writing songs at age eleven, the first one appropriately titled “Changes”.

Throughout his teen years, Dan was fortunate enough to have very talented music instructors as his studies progressed, culminating in private studies with Mr. Joseph Carbone, a world-renowned musician in the likes of guitar virtuoso Joe Pass. In fact, the two were the best of friends. Dan reaped all the rewards of studying with such high caliber musicianship as his mentors. The result was a well-rounded jazz guitarist by the age of nineteen.

By the age of twenty, Dan began his professional career as a club date musician, frequently playing in the Carlyle Hotel, the Pierre Hotel and many other hot spots in Manhattan. Big band gigs were some of his favorite gigs, playing with Alexander’s Swing Time Band for two years. He also began playing weddings all over the tri-state area. It was a request for Randy Travis’ song “Forever and ever Amen” at a 1993 wedding that opened up the world of country music to Dan. Totally i