Biography
With a lifelong passion for music, Dave Donner began writing lyrics during his senior year of high school. Inspired by the news of Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crash just outside of McComb, Mississippi, the loss of these southern rock icons moved Dave in a way that led him on his own musical journey. During his years performing as the leader of “The Donner Pass Band”, “Dave Donner and The Dynamites”, and as an acoustic singer-songwriter, Dave Donner has performed at countless venues throughout Southern California, Utah, and Las Vegas.
Dave Donner’s original music, deals with the trials and tribulations from his everyday life, stories from another time, and the road to redemption. Dave continues to be inspired by songwriting greats like Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Drive By Truckers, Steve Earle and Warren Zevon. Dave is always writing new music and performing at every turn. Watch for Dave Donner throughout the music scene.
about Dave Donner’s original music
About Rattlesnake In My Bed
“Back in 2015, I decided to try and put some of my original songs down on digital recordings. I had just come back from a blasting project in Utah and had written some pretty good songs, including the title track aptly named “Utah”. I also had a few songs that had aged nicely over the years like “The Ballad of Johnny Cortez” and “Black Canyon”. My honest intentions were to record 11 songs, put them on CD, and be done with it. I found Sean Bryon to produce the record. We went into his home studio and with the help of some great musicians like Vince Mendoza, Brent Bowers, Troy Pierce, Nick Bryon, and Tralain Roslyn, we got 11 pretty good cuts. I was really happy with how it turned out and I was extremely proud when the CDs showed up at my door. My dream of creating my own original album had been realized. But a funny thing happened after that. I kept writing songs.
2017 was a very traumatic, bleak, and dark period of my life. The songs I was writing reflected that. The anguish of those times is clearly evident in songs like “Quit on Love”, “Tattoo Drunk”, “S.O.B.E.R.”, and “Steel Plate In My Head”. As these songs came together, I was forced to come to terms with another album. This one was supposed to be cathartic and help me heal, but I’m not sure it did. In any case, when Everything’s Real was released in 2018, I faced it with a callous resignation of what will be, will be and I also know what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I do really like many of those songs and again with Sean’s producing, I can say that I am also proud of that record.
Once again, the songs kept coming. Now, however, I was anxious to put out another record. Having persevered over the past tragedies in early 2019, I set out to write some songs that were actually fun to write and play. Songs like “911”, “Cured Concrete”, “Unfinished Business”, and “I Got My Hair” were written in a much better frame of mind and allowed me to practice a more abstract writing style. They were also a lot of fun to play in public. The title track, “Renegade” was written by Warren Zevon and that song truly touched me, as most of Warren‘s songs do. I love the line “I’ll be some old man in the road somewhere kneeling down in the dust by the side of the interstate. I am a renegade”. As I enter my 60s, words like those are all too prolific.
Renegade was released in 2020 and immediately Sean and I began work on this latest record. Rattlesnake In My Bed is our fourth collaboration together and I feel each subsequent record gets stronger in all areas. The production quality, as well as the songwriting, seems to advance each time. Rattlesnake In My Bed is a pseudonym for some scary shit that happens in the night. I’ll let you figure out what that shit might be. Other songs like “Shotgun”, “Songs Like Steve”, “Amazon”, and “River of Lies”, all have a purpose and meaning to me. So now, with the release of album number 4, am I satisfied and ready to hang up my pen? Sorry, not even close. Sean and I are already working on the 2022 release of album number 5, tentatively titled Voodoo Girl. I want to thank all of the musicians both studio and live who help me realize my own personal goals. I want to thank my family and loved ones. Also thanks to Sean Bryon for his continued guidance. Finally, as always, I want to thank Ronnie Van Zant for the inspiration he provided way back in the 70s that continues to this very day.”
- Dave Donner, Rattlesnake In My Bed (2021)
About Renegade
Renegade: “A person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles.” ‘’Having treacherously changed allegiance.”
“I am a Renegade. I’ve been a Rebel all my Life” – Warren Zevon
I like to believe that Warren would approve of me covering this song of his. While Warren did not create my rebellious nature, he had a tremendous role in furthering it. Warren was the consummate Rebel who lived life on his own terms, right up until the day he died. He made no apologies for who he was and took no prisoners in his quest for self-realization and fulfillment.
I remember one night in Las Vegas at the valet pick up area below the Mandalay Bay, I happened to see Warren and his manager loading equipment into a nondescript Chevy van. Warren had just finished a brilliant solo acoustic show at the House of Blues, which I had of course attended. I was still giddy from the performance and now seeing my idol so close and accessible, I thought “what a perfect night!” I grabbed my recently purchased copy of “Life’ll Kill You” and boldly marched up to Warren. It was a gut reaction. I was aware of Warren’s testy reputation but the moment was here and I didn’t hesitate. As I got closer, I saw it was his manger loading the equipment along with an extremely large bouncer, while Warren stood solemnly to the side holding two styrofoam containers of to-go food. He had been so jovial and interactive with the audience during the show, the stark contrast of his current expression was startling. I should have beat a hasty retreat right then, but I regrettably did not. Warren saw me coming and averted his gaze. I stood next to the bouncer and said “Hi Warren, great show! Could I get an autograph, please?” I held out a black Sharpie and the album cover smiling stupidly. After what seemed like an eternity, but was only a couple seconds, Warren finally turned to look at me. Without saying a word he shook his head back and forth twice in a classic act of denial. Immediately, his manager snarled at me “Hey man, can’t you see what’s going on here?” At the same time the large bouncer looked at me and said, “You gotta go, man!” I was crushed and slunk dejectedly back to my truck. As I drove away, nothing had changed. The manager and bouncer continued to load equipment while Warren stared vacantly lost in his own thoughts. That was the last time I ever saw him and he died a couple years later after a valiant battle with Mesothelioma. Back in my hotel room later I stared out at the Strip and began to process what had happened. Strangely, I was not angry or offended by Warren's actions. In fact, I was ashamed for having let my fandom get the better of me. I knew far too well what Warren was like and he did not disappoint. I decided it was entirely my fault and was grateful to have had the opportunity to realize that Warren was truly an artist who had his beliefs and would not compromise them for anyone or anything.
The word “Renegade” can be taken in many different contexts. In any case, the absolute definition would have to pertain to individuality. A person who values their independence can easily be misconstrued as a deserter. What truly matters is whether that desertion and subsequent betrayal evolved from a set of circumstances that deemed the action necessary. Is it not better to strike out on your own to pursue and attain the goals foremost in one's conscience? Regardless of the answer to that question, there will always be consequences from both action and inaction. Once the choice is made there is no going back.
This album is a collection of 8 originals and 3 covers. All the songs, including the covers (“Renegade”, “I Never Dreamed”, and “Shallow”), are deeply personal to me. Some of them are fun and some not so much. As always, I have surrounded myself with an extremely talented group of musicians who pull the songs together into a cohesive unit. I want to thank all the musicians past and present who have been involved in my projects over the years. Everything I do is a labor of love and I hope it shows! God Bless Our Troops!
- Dave Donner, Renegade (2020)
About Everything’s Real
“I remember waking up the morning of October 20, 1977. I was a High School senior in a town outside of Los Angeles. The morning started out like any other with my clock radio clicking on to KLOS. This morning though would turn out to be anything but ordinary. The DJ, whose name I cannot remember announced that The Lynyrd Skynyrd band had been involved in a plane crash outside of McComb, Mississippi. There were reports of fatalities including lead singer and songwriter Ronnie Van Zant. Their latest record, ‘Street Survivors’ had just been released to critical acclaim and the band was on an upward trend. People were calling them the ‘American Stones’ and the future was wide open. Suddenly all of that was over. I went to school that morning, but for me things had changed too. I came home that day and promptly set out to write a song. Van Zant’s lyrics and common man values had touched me deeply. In a very short period of time I wrote my first ever lyrics. It was a song about the demise of Lynyrd Skynyrd called ‘Down Again’. It never made it to the melody stage but I was off and running as a songwriter. I had no idea at the time just how profoundly that day would effect the rest of my life. The change in me was instantaneous. I went from a school cabinet member and model student athlete to the far opposite end of the scale. Suddenly I was more interested in Jack Daniels and snakeskin hats than anything to do with student politics. My parents and friends were astounded by the transformation and none to happy about it. The lyrics poured out of me and I began to sing, poorly I might add, any chance I could. I never really had aspirations of being good; it was just something I had to do. I felt like I needed to carry the Southern Rock tradition Van Zant had embraced as long as I could. I never envisioned the consequences that would arise from that decision. Now forty years later I look back at the trail of destruction and triumph with mixed feelings. In some ways I am grateful for the emotions and experiences that striving for individuality have brought me. I have been a successful business owner for many years and raised four wonderful children. On the other hand there has been a huge price to pay in my personal life for that individuality. It has led me to some of the darkest days imaginable. Some of those days continue even today. When I go through those days I still turn to the lyrics of Ronnie Van Zant for solace. On this record ‘Everything’s Real’, I try to reconcile some of those costs and grow from them. I guess I am a slow learner, but maybe you can teach an ‘Old Dog’ new tricks.”
-Dave Donner, Everything’s Real (2018)
About Utah
“This album is a result of 35 years of song writing. Some of these tunes are over 20 years old and some were written in late 2014 and early 2015. Among those are Utah, State Liquor Store and Technological Baby. This album is dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant without whose influence, good or bad these songs would not have been written. I want to also thank all the members living or deceased of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band who provide continued influence. Special thanks to all the musicians who have participated in ‘The Donner Pass Band’ and continue to this day. Thanks to my children for putting up with and embracing exposure to such artists as Warren Zevon, Ian Hunter, Drive By Truckers and the entire southern rock family.”
-Dave Donner, Utah (2015)
Renegade Liner Notes and Lyrics:
Dave Donner Renegade PDF
Everything’s Real Liner Notes and Lyrics: Dave Donner Everything’s Real PDF