Dane Vannatter

Special Thanks

My life is blessed with a loving, supportive family of friends and a wonderful community of musicians and singers in this great town of Boston. I treasure you all and this album is dedicated to you. My thanks to Frank Wilkins for his many charts, which have made up the core of my repertoire for a few years now. Thanks to WERS-FM and the gang at SRO for continuing to play my demo of “Here’s to Life,” thereby increasing the demand for this CD. Well, it’s finally here, kids. Eric Preusser has guided this project with care and patience, and in the process has become my trusted friend. Eric, thanks for the meals, the spanks and a place to hang my hat. Doug Hammer has long been my accompanist as well as my ally and my buddy. Here’s to life and here’s to you, Doug. Lets just get our damn selves lost and grow old together, OK? Josh Davis may think I keep him around just for his cute mug, but in fact I think he plays bass like a mother and his picking and bowing on this album give me the shakes. Valentin, my funny Valentin, Gregor. It’s like singing with a twin brother. Your instincts and your honest and soulful playing here is a true thrill. Thanks to David Sparr for all the careful and sensitive work in the studio. Among the devotees to whom this recording is dedicated, I blow some digital kisses to Lois, Dilly, Darrell, Ceil, Ellen, my sister Deb, my brother Dan, Marilyn, Carol O, Ed, Everett and Zana, with a real smacker to Mark Craig. My mother is the angel who sent you all to me. May all your storms be weathered, and all that’s good get better.
-Love, Dane

In six short years Dane Vannatter has gone through a transformation that usually parallels one’s life span. Since I first heard him at the Frank Wilkins Vocal Showcase and then in 1992 when I worked his first show at Scullers Jazz Club. I have witnessed, “from behind my drums”, his development as a singer and performer. Never in my career have I witnessed anyone mature so fact to such a level of performing artistry as has been the case with Dane. Quite honestly, I don’t know if this pace can continue but if it does, those of us around him and his listening public will have quite a ride along side this passionate performer.

His work reflects what he believes in, the love of life, its significance and value, romance and the things one can’t even put into words which constitute the vast beautiful mysteries of being alive. His music not only captures your heart, it captures what makes it beat, it reminds us why we have one, and for those who have forgotten; what it’s there for. When listening to Dane, it’s not his vocal achievements which draw you in, as much as it is something much more abstract, much more difficult to define. So it is fitting to find one word with equal qualities to define the experience. Love.
-Eric Preusser
Click here to visit Eric's website at www.artmusicproduction.com