Donovan Lyman profile picture

Donovan Lyman

www.donovanlyman.com

About Me

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Hi, I'm Donovan. Thanks for stopping by my page for a look and listen.
I've been the frontman, singer, rhythm guitarist, pianist, songwriter, producer, manager, publicist, booking agent and designer for the Orlando founded, Los Angeles based rock band; Blue Meridian for some time now. So far, so good.
This page was designed primarily to attract awareness to the new album (4 years in the making) entitled "Avalon & Babylon & Me", as well as all of these solo, duo and acoustic shows that I've been doing. I've also been booking and hosting two acoustic nights around the L.A. are (check Acoustic Cordiale and Jimmy's Acoustic Courtyard in the top friends)
Avalon & Babylon & Me features nearly 40 guest musicians, playing everything from mandolin, banjo, violin, organ, french horn, cello, trumpet and much more. The disc is a bit epic, containing as many as 18 tracks. Nearly 80 minutes of music. The most that will fit on one compact disc. It's also a concept album about life and living it. Something most of us should be able to relate to. It tells the story of someone who finds themselves in a rut, turns over a new leaf, makes a move, uses the breath of fresh air to rediscover his motivation and apply it... only to eventually land in another rut. One of life's fun cycles. A rather personal album I must admit.
The album is now completed and talks are in the works for releasing it on a label with proper distribution. Either in association with a major, indie label or as a self release, it should be commercially available sometime in 2008. The summer of 2007 however, we're making a few limited copies available as a preview.
This in no way signals the last days of the Mighty Meridian. This album is just something I've always wanted to do. Calling it "Blue Meridian" would mean a serious departure for the band. I'm not interested in a "serious departure" for the band. I like what Blue Meridian has done and are currently doing. Twelve tracks have been written for the next Blue Meridian album entitled "Skint & Shattered". Recording begins in September 2007.
Since I started down this path, I've written hundreds of songs. Not all of them have been ideal for the Blue Meridian sound. Some of them have been such a departure, that they were offered to other artists or recorded under pseudonyms. Regardless, I do hope you enjoy most of what I put out there. Your feedback is important and I do hope to see you at a show in the near future.
An in-depth biography of my career thus far can be found at http://www.donovanlyman.com/news/bio.htm
Click HERE to visit my official homepage, read lyrics and credits for all 18 songs, sample audio clips from all 18 songs and purchase the limited pre-release of the new album while supplies last.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/8/2005
Band Website: donovanlyman.com
Band Members: I've been honored to perform and record with a multitude of talented and terrific musicians and lifetime friends.

Influences: Lennon & McCartney, John & Taupin, Bacharach & David, Dozier & Holland, David Baerwald, Jimmy Webb, Brian Wilson, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Jackson, Partridge & Moulding, Paul Simon, Hollies, Byrds, Orbison, Strummer & Jones, Costello, Sting and a hoarde of others.

Sounds Like: R.E.M., Elvis Costello, Neil Diamond, Dave Matthews, Train, David Gray, Damien Rice, Jack Johnson, Matchbox Twenty, Soul Asylum, Bob Dylan, Cracker, Wallflowers, Bowie, Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Band, The Beach Boys, Ryan Adams, Wings, Elliot Smith, Tom Petty, Mellow Beck

Type of Label: None

My Blog

Blue Meridian’s Exciting July Newsletter! :)

You just opened Blue Meridian's July Newsletter.   1. Donovan performs a FREE, full set at Acoustic Cordiale, Sherman Oaks Wed. 2. Blue Meridian appearing at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Ventura...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:37:00 PST

Part 2 of the Citywalk/IMAX Fiasco

"Why It's Often Better To Be Honest, The Sequel" (read part one first please) Last night my S.A.G. friend phoned and announced that yet another effort to see the U2 concert movie in the IMAX theatre ...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:54:00 PST

Why It’s Often Better To Be Honest.

Why It's Often Better To Be Honest. This time of year with the Oscars just around the corner, the Screen Actors Guild is pretty good about sending promotional DVD's to their members. In the past coup...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:02:00 PST

I’m The "Best Kind"?

The following was posted on the net HERE http://www.goodpeoplestories.com/index.php/people/donovan_ly man_the_best_kind/The author is unknown. It was forwarded to me by a friend and fan. I'm flattered....
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:47:00 PST

Four Ancient Songs That I Often Go Back To...

ANOTHER FAILED RELATIONOut on the common.. Another lover weeps today. Be strong and before too long the pain will go away.Pass by the old oak tree with their initials carved on its mast.A living monum...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:37:00 PST

Article on Avalon & Babylon & Me

The Middle of the Meridian In Los Angeles, an eccentric indie music scene is thriving wherein ho-hum bands rarely take the risk to push out anything but "the same," because in L.A. appearances count a...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Sun, 29 Apr 2007 12:22:00 PST

The song "Pleasance" explained

In the past, as evidenced in my previous BLOGS, I've explained the meaning behind some of my songs. I put a great deal of time into most of my lyrics. Some come to me in less than an hour, some take m...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Sat, 17 Jun 2006 02:56:00 PST

The Meaning Behind "Beautiful Thing"

Since posting some thoughts behind the meaning of "Danielle's Bi" on the band page (www.myspace.com/bluemeridian) some folks have asked me to do the same for other songs. "Beautiful Thing" was mention...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Mon, 20 Feb 2006 08:10:00 PST

Your Thoughts on My Thoughts on Valentines Day

Wow... on Valentines Day I was in a mood and posted a bulliten. My mailbox filled up with over 80 unexpected responses to it. I don't have the time to individually reply to all these mails anytime soo...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Wed, 15 Feb 2006 03:25:00 PST

What Some Fans Recently Had To Say

"I met Donovan Lyman back in 1998 when he and some of the original Blue Meridian band members where living the starving artist lifestyle together in a house on Bumby Avenue in Orlando. The energy, tal...
Posted by Donovan Lyman on Wed, 01 Feb 2006 01:01:00 PST