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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDAVIS, Danny(b George Nowlan, 29 April '25, Randolph MA) Leader of Nashville Brass Band; trumpeter, singer, producer. Studied at New England Conservatory of Music; played with big bands of Bob Crosby, Gene Krupa, Art Mooney late '40s-50s; became vocalist with Vincent Lopez at Astor Hotel NYC; then with Sammy Kaye, Freddy Martin. Became record prod. for Joy label '58, then on staff at MGM: prod. Johnny Tillotson, Herman's Hermits, Connie Francis (six no. 1 hits). Moved to Nashville as prod. assistant to Chet Atkins '65, worked with Waylon Jennings, Hank Locklin, Eddy Arnold etc. Formed Nashville Brass to create country version of the Herb Alpert sound; became steady album act. Not many hit singles, though "I Saw The Light', "Wabash Cannonball', "Columbus Stockade Blues' did well '69-71; won Grammy '69 as Best Country Instrumental Performance, voted CMA Instrumental Group of the Year '69-74. LPs incl. Nashville Brass, Travellin', Bluegrass, Gold, Supersongs '72-7, all RCA. |