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Winter Park / Live Music: Vintage hosts going-away party for 'Dannyboy'

by Cyndi Palmer
Sky-Hi Daily News
April 11, 2008

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“Dannyboy” Herbert

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 12
Where: Five Mountain Tavern, Vintage Hotel, Winter Park
Cost: No cover
Call: (970) 726-8801, ext. 6615

    For its last dinner service for the winter season, the Five Mountain Tavern at the Vintage Hotel is hosting “Dannyboy” Herbert for a special going-away concert. The performance includes a variety of songs ranging from country to rock 'n' roll, yodeling, even a mime skit (set to breakdancing music).

    The multi-talented performer has traveled cross-country, mostly on his motorcycle, working different jobs, until one day he felt it was time for his music to take precedence.

    Before music became his life, he spent time as a police officer, a contruction worker and painter, and spent summers working at a dude ranch in Montana.

    It was a friend there that opened Herbert's eyes to the possibilities in Grand County.
As Herbert drove through Denver on his way here, the hustle and bustle of the city overwhelmed him, but his worries were quieted with the small-town feel of the Fraser Valley. He embraced the beauty, took in a couple musical performances (including a memorable show by Tab Benoit) and the musician said it almost made him want to move here permanently - almost.

    But Herbert is a man on the go, with places still left on his list.

    His musical path began with piano lessons when he was 6-years-old, growing up in Canistel, N.Y. Herbert's dad would play his guitar every night, Herbert said, and “would sing those old, sad country songs that you just don't hear today.” He was also known to sing “Danny Boy,” a nickname Herbert's friends carried on. Herbert picked up his first guitar by age 14, fulfilling a promise to his father on his deathbed.

    As an assistant pastor, his mom was also the music director for the church and Herbert said she had “an amazing voice and a vast understanding of music theory.”
Herbert played guitar and sang in church.

    Since those early years, Herbert has played various venues and celebrates his first year performing for Grand County audiences. He's played with bands Eastern Sky and more recently Rivers Edge.

    Now, he plays mostly as a solo artist and is excited about some new equipment he acquired at Second Hand Grand in Granby (home mixing board and speakers).
When he's not on the stage at the Five Mountain Tavern, he can be found either back in the kitchen as the breakfast cook or out on the hotel's shuttle route picking up and dropping off winter guests.

    The talented entertainer said whenever problems arise and he feels blue, “I would just turn to music. Whether listening to it or playing and singing it ... it would be my refuge, my comfort.” He said he likes to write about “real deep” issues and that there's always hope.

    “The bad things make you stronger,” he said. As a man on the go, Herbert also loves to write traveling songs and train songs.

    He describes his music as country, both old and new and some traditional, as well as rock 'n' roll, some blues and Christian tunes. Among the instruments he plays are piano, synthesizer, electric, acoustic and bass guitars; drums, and he said he'll sing just about anything. Influences include The Ventures, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Guns & Roses, Creed and The Eagles. His favorite pieces to play are ballads and “songs that tell about life and overcoming your addictions and pain - finding yourself and becoming a better person.”

    “Dannyboy” hopes audiences at the Five Mountain Tavern have a good time and go away Saturday night with a smile. After another summer in Montana, he expects he'll return to Grand County next winter. With good friends out in Montana who have a recording studio, he also hopes to return with his first demo (and maybe even a bus or van to carry all of his new equipment).

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