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Danny’s Digest

As a performer and listener to all things musical, Dan’s observations of musical styles and current events have always been a mainstay of his act. His essays have been included in numerous publications and newspaper columns and his original songs and jokes are now frequently found on YouTube. With the publication of his book, TIPS, Dan has found a new avenue to keep audiences entertained. For Danny’s Digest he will provide more tips for performers, behind-the-scenes anecdotes and humorous takes on life in the entertainment industry. His reflections of what people are talking about will be a feature found here. Look for Dan’s latest – to be updated regularly.

Oct 29, 2024

The Queen of Sheba

Last night, there were 12 black Cadillac SUV’s parked on the curb in front of my gig on K Street.  I went around to the back of the building and the security guard told me that the Queen of some desert country was in the private dining room with a lot of grey-bearded men in caftans.  What an opportunity! They might hire me for one of those superb hotels in Saudi Arabia or wait a minute, Dubai?  The Mandarin Hotel.  Hmmm.  In Abu Dhabi, do they tip in crypto?

The joint was reeking in tahini sauce as I planned out my set.  Open with the score of Kismet.  After the applause, jokingly sing “I’m the Sheik of Araby”  And then close with Pale Hands I Loved Beside the Shalimar.  I couldn’t miss.

I ran out without an intro and was greeted by the headwaiter who handed me a list of the requests:

Hungry Like The Wolf
Tiny Dancer
Bye Bye Miss American Pie
On the Border

Just as the realization that I couldn’t play any of them sunk in, I heard the blessed sound of recorded Arabic music drifting out from the private dining room.

Those requests were from the drivers of those magnificent limousines parked on the curb.  Too bad they had to stay in the cars.

July 18, 2024

CUPCAKES

As hot as it was today, I passed Georgetown Cupcake and there, as usual was a line of tourists. I counted them, fourteen of them standing this blazing sun, waiting to to get in and have the experience of Buying a famous cupcake in Our Nation’s Capital. It’s like going to Lourdes. Not any cupcake but a Georgetown Cupcake. “On our vacation we go to Washington and ee the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and the Martin Luther King Memorial and Georgetown Cupcake.” For some people, it’s a bucket list. Nothing holds back a person on a mission. What I love about it is that it’s like a quest. Things you’ve got to do. That was exactly how my brother and I would feel, going to the Taft hotel in mid-century Manhatton to witness the great Charley Drew playing his sleazy piano and leading the singing. He had little wooden hammers on tables so you could keep time. He called them “knockers” and that was so racy – so dangerous. . .his naughty ditties were called “songs teacher never taught.” They were categorized by a world never seen before or since: “risque’. Oh. They were people who would beg Charlie to sing the risque’ songs . . .and all I can remember of Manhattan was the Holland Tunnel, Empire State Building and Carley Drew at the Taft. Mecca. It’s in my book – the thing about a piano bar is when you go into that world you make a memory. And when you go to Georgetown Cupcake, right down the street, practically next door to Georgetown Cupcake is Georgetown Piano Bar. So many stories in TIPS, I can’t remember them. And these aren’t in there. But stuff like that? It’s in the book.

July 18, 2024

PIANO BAR CUSTOMER

He wanted “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay. 

Here’s a confession: I told him “I just played it.”

He said, “Wow!”

July 3, 2024

I’M A YANKEE DOODLE DANDY

The Third of July is almost like Christmas Eve.  Tomorrow we’re going to hear music we’ve known since we were children.  “Independence Day” sounds like something heavy with history.  But you smile at “born on the fourth of July.”

It’s such a cheerful feeling, being able to sing songs with familiar tunes and inspiring words.  Even if you’ve never heard of Kate Smith you can probably recognize her voice singing “God Bless America.”  People who have never heard of Marion Anderson know “American the Beautiful.”  Tomorrow is the day we raise the flag without irony.  Happy Fourth!

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