MACK BAILEY, BILL DANOFF & OWEN DANOFF together in Concert

Mack Bailey is a nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter who is gaining an ever-larger audience with his strong, expressive classically trained tenor voice, with an impressive range and pure clean quality. He writes sensitive original songs that express the deepest of human emotion, social conscience, and lighthearted fun. In concerts, he touches the listener’s heart and tickles their funny bone. Tenor Mack Bailey was hailed, by no less an authority than Glenn Yarbrough, as “the next great singer in folk music.” He has a rich history of major concert appearances. As a member of The Hard Travelers, he has shared the stage with numerous artists including Brooks & Dunn, Randy Travis, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill & Amy Grant, Kathy Mattea, Tom Rush, Tom Paxton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, John Denver and Bill Danoff. Using John Denver’s music, Mack taught himself to play the guitar, so it was a thrill for Mack when he had the privilege of trading verses to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” with John Denver in front of 9,000 people shortly before John’s death. Today, John Denver ‘s music continues to play an active role in Mack’s professional life. Mack has caught the attention of national folk music audiences with not only his former Limeliters performances, but also with his prominent role in the nationally touring show “A Musical Tribute to John Denver” with many of John’s former band members and production crew. Several of Denver’s former band members have also played on Mack’s CD’s, including Chris Nole, Pete Huttlinger, Jim Horn, and Bill Danoff. Other music royalty has joined him as well: Mary Chapin Carpenter sang on his first album, produced by Danoff. Denver’s long-time producer, Kris O’Connor, produced Mack’s“Through Your Eyes” CD. Most recently, prestigious musicians like Sam Bush, Pat Flynn, and Jack Pearson graced Mack’s CD, “Choose Your Attitude.” Originally hailing from the small town of Troy, North Carolina, Mack currently resides with his family in Denver, Colorado.

“I have great respect for Bill as a songwriter, He has written some of my favorite songs and one of my most successful songs, “Take Me Home Country Roads.” ~ John Denver. Bill Danoff has been extraordinarily successful on the international stage. He has been singing and writing songs since the late 1960s when he performed and co-wrote songs with John Denver. When Bill and his then partner, Taffy Nivert, invited Denver to help them finish writing a song, little did anyone know that the song would soar to the top of the charts. “Take Me Home Country Roads” catapulted John Denver into national prominence. Another Danoff-Nivert song, “I Guess He’d Rather Be in Colorado” was recorded by Denver and it became the theme song of Colorado. And with Emmylou Harris, he wrote her hit, “Boulder to Birmingham. In 1976, using Fat City as the core, Bill added Jon Carroll and Margot Chapman to form the Starland Vocal Band, which quickly gained national fame with the monster hit, “Afternoon Delight.” The band recorded for John Denver’s Windsong label. Starland recorded five albums and toured the major clubs, concert halls, arenas and festivals throughout the United States. Bill’s songs, “Afternoon Delight,” “Baby, You Look Good To Me Tonight,” “Late Nite Radio” and “Friends with You” led to 5 Grammy Nominations, 2 Grammy Awards, (Best New Artist of the Year and Best Arrangement for Voices) 2 ASCAP Awards for Outstanding Country Song and 3 Top 10 country hits. There were numerous television appearances including the Tonight Show, the Merv Griffin Show (“I remember watching these shows all those years ago…” Joyce) and their own CBS series, The Starland Vocal Band Show, that among other things, introduced neophyte comedian David Letterman to the public. In 1990, Bill released his first solo recording for his own Watch Your Head Music Company, SOUVENIR, which contains his new folk classic “Potter’s Wheel” also recorded by Denver, Freyda and Acoustic AttaTude and others. The timelessness of Bill Danoff’s songs continues to be proven. “Afternoon Delight” is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and can be heard in hit movies like “Good Will Hunting” and “Boogie Nights” and Bill sang it for classmate President William Clinton at the Class of 1968 25th Reunion at The White House. He appeared in the film “TIN MEN” (1987) with Richard Dreyfus and Danny DeVito. Bill’s outstanding solo acoustic act combines his songwriting skills with his formidable ability to entertain. It’s pop, country, rock and roll and folk, all woven together. Bill possesses a remarkable storytelling ability as he recounts tales of how these songs come to be. His deep, rich voice can deliver every emotional nuance of a sensitive ballad and then swing into rock-and -roll raucous. His guitar accompaniment moves from delicate finger picking into percussive slaps and strums as the music demands. His lyrics range from the haunting to the hilarious with songs like the thought- provoking “Potter’s Wheel” or the irreverent “You Gotta Love The Irish” which instantly got him banned from the first place he performed it. Bill’s shows, like his songs, are sparkling with wit, comprised of exceptional music and definitely should not be missed.

Washington D.C. native, Berklee College of Music graduate, and 2012-13 Strathmore Artist in Residence Owen Danoff was born with song in his blood. Son of the renounced singer/songwriter, Bill Danoff, Owen has developed his own musical identity. Thoughtful lyrics combine with a love for good musicianship and catchy melodies to create a unique blend of pop/folk music, though Owen’s lifelong love of rock is ever evident in a live setting. As a singer/songwriter and bass player, Owen has made the rounds of the local venues. From his first D.C. area show at Jammin’ Java to performances at the 9:30 Club, the Hamilton, and the RFK Stadium grounds, he has performed on nearly every major stage in the local scene.Owen’s newest release, Never Trust a Man EP, is a wistful look at love, loss, and regret, featuring evocative vocal performances and finely crafted lyrics. “An unlikely combination of frank and downcast lyrics about love gone terribly awry delivered over bright folk pop melodies punctuates Owen Danoff’s latest EP release. Songs like “Have I Ever Fallen” are delivered with sneaky gravitas akin to the emotional crescendo and decrescendo of the most potent of carnival amusements. Danoff is a nimble guitarist as well, his melodies the stuff of ear-worming relaxation. With this top-notch contribution to the local scene, Danoff is worthy of attention.” ~ On Tap Online