Tell us about yourself and your music
I was born in 1968. I am the oldest of siblings with a younger brother and a baby sister. Mom and Dad were both musical and were of great influence on me becoming a musician. My musical upbringing centered around the church. I learned to play piano, bass, drums, and later fiddle and harmonica. Over the years I have played guitar, dobro, mandolin, banjo, and saxophone. Bluegrass and Country Gospel were foundational influences.
Talk to us more about your latest release
After having success with my first release, “There’s A High Lonesome Sound” which I had written, I decided to release as my second single a Bill Monroe cover, “In The Pines”. I grew up just 30 or so miles from the Bill Monroe Homeplace, Jerusalem Ridge / Rosine, Kentucky. We lived in the adjoining county across the Green River in Nelson Creek, Kentucky (Muhlenberg County). Bill was a huge influence on me and I wanted to pay tribute to him and the legacy he left. In The Pines captures the soulful sounds and rustic story of the times and peoples of the area. I can remember sitting on the porch with family and singing these old songs on hot summer days and cool fall nights. The lonesome sounds of bluegrass stir deep-rooted feelings of family closeness that those times ingrained in those of us fortunate to have experienced it.
What inspired you to write this release?
I didn’t write this song. It was actually written in the 1800s and the author is unknown. Bill Monroe recorded it in 1941 and 1952. I was inspired to record the song because it offers the singer a range of soulful expressions that can be delivered with feeling as if you actually experienced the happenings within the lyrical content yourself. The lyrics take you on a vivid journey in time.
Describe the writing and recording process
I wanted to capture the feel of Bill’s performance yet also to make it my own. I accomplished this by using 3 part fiddles in the kickoff and turn around of the song, which I played myself. I also wanted the high lonesome harmonies of Bill’s style to be heard in my rendition and laid the vocal harmonies myself. We are currently working on a video for this song that will be made available as soon as we can get the editing process finished.
Any plans to release a video?
Any plans to hit the road?
I have started putting together appearances where I will perform In The Pines as well as other songs. Currently, I am touring with Christian Davis as Band Leader/Tour Manager, playing fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, and singing backup.
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
Lyrically I draw from my own experience and the stories of my parents and grandparents. Musically I am a mixture of the Influences of country, bluegrass, and gospel music with a heaping helping of blues that I was exposed to as a child. Vocal delivery comes from deep within. I was raised in a Holiness Church and had a front-row seat to anointed singing delivered with feeling. Singing is a way of expressing how you feel about what you are singing about. To deliver a song convincingly you simple sing it the way you feel it. My entire family is gifted with this ability. As for branding, I don’t try to brand myself as I feel that doing so would keep me from BEING myself. In essence, BEING me…truly me…..is a brand only I can be.
Who have you been listening to lately?
Del McCory, Willie Nelson, Christian Davis, Vince Gill, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Strings, Chris Thyle, Larry Sparks, Buck Owens.
Who are your biggest influences?
My Grandparents, my dad, and my mom. I think family is the biggest influence on a person. My biggest secular influence would probably be Jerry Lee Lewis in my early years but the list gets quite large with time.
Tell us about your passions
I am passionate about making things happen for me and other people. I am passionate about my history and our history as a people and a nation. I am definitely passionate about all aspects of my music, but I am most passionate about God and Family.
What else is happening next in your world?
The next thing we are working on is finishing the music video for “In The Pines”. We also have tour plans being made and we are putting together our very own popup stage!
Thanks for an awesome interview, Danny Joines
Connect with Danny Joines
Website: https://www.dannyjoines.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedannyjoinesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedannyjoines/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYq1BbGWKnOl0k0lsO0TXIw?Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/Dannyjoines
