Biography
"...Truly one of the eclectic original and iconic wordsmiths writing songs today. The songs are those of the natural born storyteller put to some idiosyncratic music that will constantly keep the listener on edge..." - Bob Gottlieb, Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange, March 2009
"...a man who knows how to make his guitar do anything he wants." - Craig Clarke, Greenman Reviews
"...The most talented musician/performer I have ever seen, and I've seen a bunch!" - Linda Z. Smith, Founder of The Creative Spirit Center in Midland, MI
"It is a shame a major label has not pick him up yet..." - John Hardy, WYCE Music Journal
"I never know what to say about the great songwriters. Dan Vaillancourt is one of the best. Words are all so very important but Dan has the music within him to carry his stories. Humor and heart are hard to find in such abundance." - Trish Lewis, WUCX-FM Producer and Host of The Eclectic Chair
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Storyteller and Traveler. Guitarist and Writer. Teacher and Coffee Drinker. Michigan singer-songwriter Dan Vaillancourt is all of these things and more. Drawing on his vivid imagination and real-life events, he weaves words and notes together into a rich tapestry of musical poetry. Vaillancourt, and his guitar, criss-cross the country each year, having performed hundreds of concerts in 33 states. Critics, heralding his musicianship and lyricism, refer to Vaillancourt as a guitar virtuoso and “one of the eclectic original and iconic wordsmiths writing songs today” (Bob Gottlieb, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange).
Part worldly troubadour, part down-home Midwesterner, Dan's weathered and conversational voice is warm and resonant, lending a simplicity to his well-crafted lyrics. With an eclectic list of influences and hundreds of songs to his credit, Vaillancourt has been compared to such diverse talent as Shawn Mullins, Todd Snider, Paul Simon and Joe Henry. He has even been called the Jimi Hendrix of Folk—fitting because he continuously pushes the boundaries of acoustic music with improvisational prowess, contributing to a style he calls Funktified Folk.
Melodic Snapshots, Vaillancourt's previous critically acclaimed album, was released in late 2005 and received radio airplay on over 100 stations. It even landed an extended stay on many stations’ CMJ AAA charts. Songs from the album were featured on several nationally syndicated radio programs, including Acoustic Cafe. Five different songs from Melodic Snapshots were featured on CD compilations that had a total distribution to the United States and Australia of 15,000 copies.
For his newest album, Lovely Distractions, mastered by multiple Grammy award-winning engineer Richard Dodd (Tom Petty, Dixie Chicks, Wilco), Vaillancourt shares the recording and mixing duties with Grammy-nominated producer Ric Hordinski (David Wilcox, Phil Keaggy, Ellery). Vaillancourt assembled the musical talents of family and friends, along with a couple of the best Cincinnati studio musicians, to produce a creative, and decidedly unconventional album, filled with lovely distractions from everyday life.
Ever prolific, Vaillancourt never seems to sit still. Since writing the newest of the songs included on Lovely Distractions, he has written nearly 200 additional songs, many as part of songwriting challenges, such as February Album Writing Month and 50 Songs in 90 Days. He continues to teach music, a decade-long pursuit and passion, and, along with other musicians, runs a week-long rock and roll camp in northern Michigan. Vaillancourt's medley of experiences: teaching, writing, performing and traveling keep his creativity honed—he always has a new song to write and a compelling story to tell.
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'This is an interesting mix of songs from a natural storyteller, who manages to spin and weave his snapshots and snippets of dreams and conversations into engrossing tales that capture the listener's imagination...." -Bob Gottlieb (F.A.M.E.)
"What really gives Vaillancourt's songs the lift that makes them stand out is the lyrics; his witty, worldly, and wise observations on love and life...." -Evolution Of Media
"...Has the ring of early Todd Snider..." -Rob Reinhart (Acoustic Cafe Radio Host)
"The sound of Dan Vaillancourt's CD 'Melodic Snapshots' is awesome. It has that very cool fresh young thing that only he can deliver. Plus, it is about as honest and friendly as one can find. His songs have a certain dignity and charm that is unique to him! --Craig Carrick [NorEast'r Festival Booking Committee]
"Dan Vaillancourt's music deserves not to be compared to others, it is an entity all its own."
- Yvonne Glasgow , Music Revue Magazine (May 01, 2002)
"...an ear of maturity and a knack for entertaining folks with his funky folk style." -Smother.net
"Though he performs alone, Michigan-based singer-songwriter Dan Vaillancourt doesn't stick to one sound: With just his voice and custom 10-string guitar, Vaillancourt jumps genres from song to song--and even mid-tune. The easiest descriptor may be folk-funk, but that fails to account for chatty spoken-word bits, hip-hop goofs, and straight-ahead pop songs." -The Onion (May 2003)
"I loved the concert! Dan is the most talented musician/performer I have ever seen, and I've seen a bunch! It was an honor to host him here at the Creative Spirit Center. Also, I am impressed that he has such great marketing skills, we know that he was responsible for everybody [in attendance] that night!" - Linda Z. Smith, Founder of The Creative Spirit Center in Midland, MI
"What a fun evening. Dan's fingers sure can fly, and we were wondering several times throughout the evening if the stage was going to be able to hold all his energy. All were impressed with the budding talent this young performer displays, and expressed an interested in seeing him perform in 10-20 years to see how huge he will be. Dan's talent will continue to grow and grow." - Angela Wieske, Backroads House Concerts, Alpena, MI
"Dan is a terrific interview. We had a great time playing songs, chatting about what inspired them and about stories from the road. We've gotten positive feedback from listeners. I will love having him back." - Christie James, WECR-FM, Boone, NC
"Dan Vaillancourt does more with just an acoustic guitar than most three piece bands can accomplish." - Leo Zaccari, 90.5FM The Night , Lincroft, NJ
"...The Jimi Hendrix of Folk!" - Steve Wieske (fan)
"Dan Vaillancourt sets a standard for style that is immeasurable by ANYBODY in the music business. Funk, Folk, or otherwise, I have no doubt that Dan Vaillancourt will be heard from in the future." - Jes Bouchard (fan)
"I think the funky stuff is amazing-two of Dan's big strengths as a performer are his non-stop positive energy and rhythmic virtuosity." - Pat Wictor (Singer-Songwriter)
"...Irresistibly catchy and amazingly unique!" - Cassie Irwin (fan)
RADIO STATIONS
Nationally Syndicated - Acoustic Cafe (OVER 75+ Stations)
Nationally Syndicated - Off The Beat-n-Track Radio Show
Nationally Syndicated - Under Currents
Haines, Skagway, & Klukwan, AK 102.3FM or 91.9FM KHNS
Juneau, AK 104.3 FM KTOO
Kodiak, AK 100.1FM KMXT
Tucson, AZ 91.3FM KXCI
Rohnert Park, CA 91.1FM KRCB
San Luis Obispo, CA 105.3 FM KGUR
Santa Rosa, CA 91.1FM KRCB
Stanford, CA 90.1FM KZSU
Carbondale, CO 90.5FM KDNK
Grand Junction, CO 88.1FM KAFM
Paonia, CO Various FZs KVNF/KVMT
Telluride, CO 89.3FM , 91.7FM, 105.5FM KOTO
Bridgeport, CT 89.5FM WPKN
West Hartford, CT 105.3 FM WSAM
Villa Rica, GA 89.3FM WRFG
Sioux City, IA KLIF Radio
Mount Vernon, IA 89.7 FM KRNL
Waverly, IA 98.1FM KWAR
Chicago, IL 88.7FM WLUW
Salem, IN 97.9FM & 1220AM WSLM
Garden City, KS Various FZ across TX/OK/KS High Plains Public Radio
Morehead, KY 90.3 FM WMKY
Frostburg, MD 91.9FM WFWM
Machias, ME 90.5FM WUMM
Orono, ME 91.9FM WMEB
Detroit MI 89.3FM WHFR
Grand Rapids, MI 88.1FM WYCE
Lansing, MI 89.7FM WLNZ
Marquette, MI 91.5FM WUPX
Ontonagon, MI 88.5FM WOAS
Plymouth, MI 88.1FM WSPD
Traverse City, MI 90.7FM WNMC
University Center, MI 90.1FM WUCX
Minneapolis, MN 90.3FM KFAI
St Paul, MN 106.7FM KFAI
St Cloud, MN 88.1FM KVSC
Houston, MS 940AM WCPC
Fayetteville, NC 91.9FM WFSS
Winston-Salem, NC WMCB
Lincoln, NE 89.3FM KZUM
Ewing, NJ 91.3FM WTSR
Santa Fe, NM 98.1 FM KBAC
Morrisville, NY 1580AM & 98.7FM WCVM
Cleveland, OH 88.7FM WJCU
Cleveland, OH 91.1FM WRUW
Columbus, OH 90.5FM WCBE
Dayton, OH 98.5FM WDPS
Yellow Springs, OH 91.3FM WYSO
Tulsa, OK 91.3FM KRSC
Ashland, OR 89.1 FM KSMF/KNCA
Eugene, OR 91.9 FM KRVM
Haverford/Bryn Mawr PA 530 AM WHRC
Schnecksville, PA 90.3FM WXLV
Warminster, PA 89.3FM WRDV
Wilkes Barre, PA 89.9 FM WVIA
Cowan, TN 1440AM WZYX
Knoxville TN 89.9FM WDVX
Norfolk VA 89.5FM WHRV
Bridport, VT 89.3FM WMUD
Plainfield, VT 91.1FM WGDR
Leavenworth, WA 101.1FM KOHO
Spokane, WA 91.1FM KPBX
Stevens Point, WI 89.9FM WWSP
Clarksburg, WV 90.FM WPLN
--International Radio Airplay--
Adelaide, Australia - 101.5FM
Melbourne, Australia - 96.5FM 3INR
Narre Warren South, VIC, Australia - 97.1FM 3MDR
Nathalia, VIC, Australia - 98.5 FM The Pulse Of The Valleys
Box Hill North, VIC, Australia - 94.1FM 3WBC
Windsor, NSW, Australia - 89.9FM 2VTR
Woori Yallock, VIC, Australia - 99.1FM 3VYV
Beaupuy, France - 98.5FM
Chiba, Japan - 79.9FM Shonan Beach Radio
Copenhagen, Denmark - SCAWC
Hechtel-Eksel, Belgium - 107.7FM
Hong Kong, China - RTHK Radio
Hutt Cities, New Zealand - 1107AM
Wellington, New Zealand - 783 AM
Marmoutier, France - 92.8FM
Watford, United Kingdom - Watford Hospital Radio
Fort Coulonge, QB 101.7FM CHIP
Lennoxville, QB 88.9FM CJMQ
Saskatoon, SK 90.5FM CFCR
Kamloops, BC 92.5 FM CFBX - The X
Victoria, BC 900AM CKMO Village 900
Peterborough, ON 92.7FM CFFF
Waterloo, ON 98.5FM CKWR
Instrumentation
In Concert: 10-String Guitar and Vocals.
On the Albums: Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Bass, Mandolin, Lapsteel, Dobro, Banjo, Percussion...
Discography
::OFFICIAL ALBUMS::
Dan Vaillancourt - Self-Titled (2000)
Dan Vaillancourt - Live & Funktified (2003)
Dan Vaillancourt - Melodic Snapshots (2005)
Dan Vaillancourt - Songs and Stories from the Road (2007)
Dan Vaillancourt - Lovely Distractions (2008)
::Bootleg Series::
8.24.02 - Live in Ann Arbor, MI
6.17.03 - Live in Charlotte, NC
5.16.04 - Live in Chicago, IL
4.24.05 - Live in Chicago, IL
Odds & Ends - Various Dates
11.3.07 - Live @ Lemonjello's
FAWM 2008 - 14 Songs Written in Feb. 2008
26 Girls - 50/90 Songwriting Challenge 2008
::Compilations:: (Over 15,000 Copies total!)
Acoustic Rainbow CD Sampler Vol. 25 (2006)
Foghorn Records "Sounds Like Cafe" CD Compilation vol. 10 (2006)
20th Annual Brewhouse Triathlon Festival Compilation CD (2006)
Mvyradio Fresh Produce Volume 2 (2006)
Java With Javelyn Indie Music Volume 2 (2006)
Acoustic Fuel 'Follow Your Dreams' (2007)
The Lost Art of Tape Trading Volume 1 (2009)
Links
| http://www.danvaillancourt.com |
| The MERCH Page. |
| Dan Vaillancourt on FACEBOOK |
| The '26 Girls' Mp3s & Lyrics. |
| Dan's MYSPACE Page |