We had the good fortune of connecting with JD Danner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JD, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
One is the most important life lessons I have learned from my career in the music industry is to never give up. A career in music, like life in general is a series of highs and lows and being able to persevere is key. The business of music is such a rollercoaster of emotions. However for any artist, their art is a part of their very existence. So there is really no option of giving up. And that there is a great life lesson to persevere through the hard times and embrace the joy in the good times,

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe what sets me apart from most in the music business is that while most start in their teens, I did not start performing music or songwriting until I was 30 years old. However I believe starting later in life helped the perspective of my songwriting because I was writing from life’s experiences.

I had gotten married at 19 right after college, worked in a bank and lived on the same street as my grandparents, my parents and my two sisters. For fun, I joined the bank bowling team and THAT was my life. But things were about to change…

At 30 I was in an unfulfilling career, and struggling with the physical and emotional pain of infertility. I needed to feel joy again. So I went back to the one thing that always brought me joy… music! While most may feel starting a band at 30 is too late – I was just getting started!

I traded in my calculator for a guitar and I began to pour my feelings into my lyrics. Every note was healing to me and cathartic. I released my first album of original music in 1998 and I never stopped writing or performing since that time.
The road has been fulfilling but peppered with various challenges including the inevitable moments of disappointment and rejection. However, there are also moments of magic. My passion for music keeps me on this journey of magic and madness.

My music has taken me to some pretty incredible places including the iconic Bluebird Café in Nashville, Lucas Oil Stadium to perform at an NFL half-time show, Guantanamo Bay and many other US military bases.

My hope is to inspire people to “dare to dream” and to “never say never.” For every disappointment, there is a great opportunity around the corner. It is never too late to follow a dream!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my friends come down to visit Florida for a week long trip I usually like to line up some evenings to check out some local bands, especially if I have musician friends playing in town. I would also like to catch a show at Arts Garage or play at Kravis Center. I love live music and live theater.

Mizner Park is an awesome place to hang out. There are many cool shops and restaurants there including an eclectic, hipster type coffee shop called Sub-Culture.

Since I live on the beach, I am sure the trip would include a fair amount of sun, sea and sand as well, Though I am not a fan of the sand, I do find it very peaceful to sit and watch the waves on the ocean. The people watching it pretty interesting too lol!

Some of my favorite places to eat down here are Ruth’s Chris, Nino’s Of Boca and Max’s Grill.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My grandparents and my dad. My grandparents really nurtured my love of music and very much encouraged me to perform and share my music. Sadly they did not live long enough to see me perform professionally but I know they are with me at every show.

And my dad, who was an amazing opera singer his own right, greatly supported my music and always encouraged me to never give up!

Website: https://www.jddanner.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jddanner

Twitter: @JDDanner.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jddannerband/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jddanner/featured

Image Credits
Dani Geraci and Joanie Cox-Henry

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