Danny Schneider: THE MUSICAL JOURNEY…SO FAR! Sacramento: The Beginning Born and raised in Sacramento, CA, Danny grew up immersed in the Northern California sounds of bands like Credence Clearwater Revival, Dave Mason and The Steve Miller Band. Picking up the guitar at the age of 12, Danny played dances and concerts for 10 years with his friends in various bands such as Velvet Mourning, Coda, Opus Fluke, Reap the Flax and Headphone Fighters.Around this time, dreams of The City of Angeles with it’s Sunset Strip magnets of The Roxy, Whisky A Go-Go, and The Troubadour, began to take hold. Danny moved to Los Angeles and began a new phase of his musical journey. Los Angeles: Speedlimit Arriving in L.A., Danny soon formed a songwriting partnership with lyricist Keith Tolmich. Prolific writers, they cranked out literally hundreds of pop-rock style songs during the 80’s and 90’s. They performed these songs in their band Speedlimit with the original line-up of Danny on lead guitar and vocal, Keith on bass, Kevin Slagg on rhythm guitar and Jim Begg on drums. Over the years, others joined and played an important musical part of Speedlimit ---such as Klondike Karl, R.C. Endyra, Curtis Jacobs, Kevin Smith, Jeff Norvell, and Craig Woodard. Jerry (J.T.) Tolmich, Keith’s dad and a veteran L.A. music-biz pro, handled the band’s dealings with “the business” and got the them many of their better gigs. A brief account of some of Speedlimit’s credits and accomplishments include: · KROQ rotation of the single “These Boots Are Made For Walking” from Speedlimit’s first record Physically Hooked (and Addicted to Love). This is what Billboard Magazine said about the release: “This L.A. based quartet plays a unique brand of modern pop that walks the edge between the new rock and mainstream making it a perfect add for AOR. Hot leads, quick paced hard edged pop tunes and hooks and the outlandishly high Mickey Dolenz-like vocals of Danny Schneider make this band the group to watch on the local scene. Original, inventive pop rock that should draw major label interest.” · Single release of “In The Middle Of The Night.” Here’s what Cashbox Magazine said about the song: Local L.A. outfit Speedlimit has come up with a buzzing pop-rock cut here that could easily bring the band some national attention.” The band played “The Strip” relentlessly during the 80’s and early 90’s. Their popularity reached from Orange County to Hollywood to Santa Barbara…and yes, Speedlimit performed at The Roxy, Whisky, Troubadour and many other popular L.A. venues. Speedlimit played the same stages as The Motels, Black Flag and Van Halen and other of the most popular new bands of the time. Speedlimit’s music, and the songwriting of the Danny Schneider / Keith Tolmich team, is documented in the two CD-28 song set titled The Speedlimit Years Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. It is available through www.CDBaby.com. Speedlimit had its run. Musically, Danny branched out into new and different projects and even different “alter-egos” and pseudonyms. The first was “Danny Allen.” Los Angeles: Danny Allen Danny Allen did not play guitar. He was lead singer of the band. Danny Allen played live only (no recordings). His musical performances were “events” called “Danny Allen’s Fun Party.” Held primarily at Madame Wong’s in Chinatown, Danny Allen had go-go dancers, well-known local newscasters as hosts, and many guest artists. Special guests included singers Helema and Selema Smith and Klondike Karl (more about Klondike shortly). Keith was still there, steadily on bass. The Danny Allen phase was a refreshing time musically and creatively …stretching out and doing something different. From the Danny Allen period emerged the successful partnership with Klondike Karl… Los Angeles: Klondike Karl This collaboration featured Klondike on the single “Time Is A Ticky-Talk” and “Cute Little Nasty Girls” with Klondike on lead vocals (and lead belly rolls!) and with Danny playing all instruments in the studio. “Ticky-Talk” was played extensively on L.A.’s KROQ. Klondike and Danny spent many a late night, from midnight to six AM, with DJ’s Poorman, Scott Mason and Swedish Eagle being interviewed and contributing live to their radio programs. “Ticky-Talk” is currently still available on an Oglio Records compilation disk called The KROQ Obscurity Files. Around this same time came the appearance of the Cool Nerd…. Los Angeles: The Cool Nerd The song “Cool Nerd” is a collaboration with Helema Smith who lyrics describe a Nerdy guy who enjoyed dancing so much that he didn’t even notice when a beautiful, sexy girl was interested in him. Again, Danny plays all the instruments, and vocals, in the studio. A video resulted which was played over and over around L.A on cable access. The highlight for The Cool Nerd was the live performance of the song on NBC’s Today In L.A. Weekend television program. Around this same time Danny’s began writing in a new direction--acoustic--for his next CD: “Shimmer.” Los Angeles: Shimmer, Danny goes un-plugged. Danny plays all instruments and vocals on this “like-Joni Mitchell” completely acoustic, modern folk CD. Of the ten songs, six are original Danny Schneider compositions, two are George Harrison re-makes, and two are collaborations with Helema Smith. One of these collaborations, “Emotion Confused”, was selected by MTV for an episode of their program “Made.” Danny performed “Shimmer” at the Roxy, Crooked Bar, Genghis Cohen and many other top acoustic nightclubs in L.A. Soon, it was again time for change and a completely new musical direction. Enter Lennon Page… Los Angeles: Lennon Page As another “alter-ego” creation, Lennon Page started as a 50’s style early Elvis Rockabilly star. He expanded his musical repertoire into blues and traditional Stevie Ray Vaughn type rock-n-roll on his debut CD titled L.A. Rockabilly Blues. Lennon Page rocked many a seedy little San Fernando Valley bar the last few years. Lennon Page says: “I just wanted to make fun music, energetic songs that everyone can listen to and enjoy…music that makes people happy and gives them energy and makes them feel good…at work, in the car or at home!” Lennon Page was a regular performer the last four years for the thousands that lined the streets for the annual Pasadena Doo-Dah Parade. Los Angeles: The Danny Schneider Show of Music Starting in 1996, Danny has hosted a local music program on public access T.V. Of the 100-plus shows he produced, many showcased local talent. Many showcased one of Danny’s various musical projects. Many were interviews of successful music business professionals who could provide insights regarding the music business to the up and coming performer. Some guest highlights include: · George Duke-legendary jazz keyboardist with Frank Zappa and many others. · Mark Volman-lead singer from the 60’s band “The Turtles.” · P.F. Sloan- prolific songwriter, wrote “Secret Agent Man.” · Ken Kragen- manager of Kenny Rogers and Trisha Yearwood; organized We Are The World and Hands Across America events. · Seth Riggs-vocal coach for Barbara Striesand, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. · Derek Sivers-president of CDBaby.com · Geza X-producer of The Dead Kennedy’s and Merideth Brooks · John Braheny-best selling author: The craft and Business of Songwriting. Next, perhaps the biggest change of all---TEXAS! Texas: In 2005 Danny said good-bye to Los Angeles. He has taken his show on the road…deep into the heart of Texas! Danny spent his Texas years performing live as Lennon Page. He also wrote arranged and recorded Christmas on Mistletoe Lane, a collection of original Christmas songs destined to be come classics with lyrics by Lenny Castellaneta and vocal by his wife, Cindy. Back to California! Fast forward to 2012…back to Northern California! Forming a new band for live shows. Mostly recording, recording, writing, and writing. New songs: Big Muscles Little Brain, a new Christmas song: Wonderful Season and more, more, more! Stay tuned…don’t touch that dial! Check back often to www.DannySchneider.com for the latest up-dates!