Danny O'Keefe

An Evening with Legendary NW Songwriter
Danny O'Keefe
CD Release Party

Saturday, April 12, 8 pm
At:  Blue Heron Art Center
Tickets:  $18 VAA members, seniors, students / $20 general admission

O’Keefe performs CD Release Concert

Legendary Northwest singer/songwriter, Danny O’Keefe’s musicianship and songwriting talents have built a respected musical career that has spanned four decades. Although he may be best known for “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues” and “The Road,” (both songs have been covered by world class musicians) O’Keefe continues to write music and perform around the world. His songs have been recorded by a who’s who cadre of performers from Cab Calloway and Jackson Brown to Allison Krauss and Elvis. He has just released a brand new CD and will celebrate the event in a rare Vashon Island concert at the Blue Heron Art Center. In a recent interview, O’Keefe shared more about his life and music.

How many songs have you written? What's your favorite and why?

I’ve probably written around two hundred songs but many songs are lost or didn’t really finish themselves. Favorite songs are usually the ones you’ve just written or are in the midst of writing. Of course the ones that help you earn a living deserve special affection.

You grew up in the sixties, how would you say that influenced your life/music?

Each generation helps define itself in discovering what it thinks is its own music. The roots of American folk music, as well as country and jazz, were big influences and helped to set the sound track for the Sixties. Most of us who learned our craft in that period were influenced by many of the same kinds of music and musicians. The time is often credited for its supposed “freedom,” which was more often “license.” Not having the same restraints as previous generations of writers and musicians did make a difference in how one approached a song and the song became an exposition of sorts.

When you look back at your long career in music, what would you have done differently?

I would have definitely signed with David Geffen’s company, at that time not yet named Asylum. Other than that I would have toured more and written with other writers sooner.

Who would you say has been the single greatest musical influence?

There are so many influences, equal on balance, but probably my father and his love for early American jazz is the greatest influence. Also, I would have to say that an early album my parents bought me of folk songs by Burl Ives was a fundamental influence.

You've met and worked with a lot of famous musicians in your lifetime. Who has been most enjoyable and least enjoyable to work with?

There are so many but Donny Hathaway stands out. His playing on “Breezy Stories” helped set the tone of the whole album. His feel as a player was exceptional because he was also a wonderful singer and a strong writer. He would play as though he was singing the song with you. Probably the least enjoyable to work with on many occasions was me.

How did you first become involved in environmental issues? In your opinion what is the greatest challenge we face right now and how can the average person make a difference? Is drinking sustainably grown coffee enough?

The nuclear energy issues in the Seventies were the dawning of mine and many other’s awareness that we were on the wrong track. The long-term effects of radioactivity are still being seen at Hanford where we made the poisonous explosives that killed so many and promise to kill many more. Something that has the power to destroy the Earth must make you consider the Earth more closely and what it means to us all. Being involved with M.U.S.E and doing many benefit concerts for those issues deepened my appreciation for the Earth and the sacredness of it.

The greatest challenge still remains what to do about the exploding populations of one species, us, to the detriment of all others.

Purchasing sustainably grown coffee is merely a symptom of a larger change. As we change consumption patterns we encourage those who supply products like coffee to change the way they produce them. As we begin to change our footprint we leave behind a path for others to follow to somewhere other than Oblivion.

How would you describe the music of your new recording, In Time? What genre would you call it and lastly do you have your own label or do you go through a record company?

“In Time” is, in a sense, an assessment of where I am on this long journey through my life in music, and my life in general. The road is getting shorter and this is a close look and appreciation of how I got here. If I had to call it by any genre I’d say it is a “personal” one.

Considering the present state of the music business it makes as much sense for the artist to release, promote and distribute through the Internet and independent distributors on his or her own. The major record companies are going through a very chaotic change and until a new model emerges many artists are choosing to be their own bosses. It’s kind of like having a little obscure shop in an interesting part of town where people stop by from time to time to browse and chat. That they purchase something to take home with them is the pleasure.

How long have you lived on Vashon Island and how has living here affected your music and life?

I’ve lived on the Island in the same old house for twenty-eight years. Being able to gaze out at the mountain and the water is always settling. Being out on the kayak with salmon jumping, eagles and herons passing overhead, and the occasional Dall’s porpoise, Orca, or seal is a gift not found in many other places. The reflective nature of the Island is a good platform from which to reflect on one’s life and the experiences one cobbles together into a song.

Call Now for Tickets!  206.463.5131