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      At an early age, Dan spent long hours listening to a 50's era Zenith console, playing and replaying the the one 45 rpm single each of Eddie Arnold and Fats Domino, and the 78's of Dinah Shore and Haydn's "Surprise" Symphony. The imprint on an impressionable young mind was profound, and you might say he never recovered.
      Drifting from rock, to country to jazz; to blues, Bach and back again, Dan's own music failed to develop. And then, one late night laying awake in a fleabag motel, Dan saw the light. It turned out to the flickering neon sign from "Murph's Café" next door. As fate would have it, the very next day as Dan was dining at that same café, savoring the only item on the menu he could afford; a small order of chili-cheese fries. His eyes were drawn to the Elvis portraits in black velvet, and just below, a small smeared blackboard with the lunch special, "Murph's Bologna Burger". At that moment inspiration struck and would have knocked Dan's socks off, had he been wearing any. The central question was clear....why top your burger with bologna and not chili? It was time to play real music, music that tops off the meaty taste of life like chili on a flame grilled hamburger still dripping with the satisfying essence of fullness. It was from this point the distinct and varied music he called "New Appalachian" began to come forth. (As along as he stayed away from the fifth).
      Over the years Dan has performed/recorded with Phil Keaggy (Grammy nominee and Dove award winner), Robin Kessinger (1985 National Flatpicking Champion), Nedra Talley Ross (Ronettes), Phil Madeira (Nashville songwriter, recording artist) Lance DeMers (Hannah's Prayer), John Fischer, Jenny Allinder, Ted Sandquist and others.
      Dan’s first solo CD, INTO THE FLOW, received glowing reviews and was a “Viewer’s Choice†award winner on Kweevak.com. His second CD, I THINK OF HOME, built on this musical vision, expanding the range of expression for Appalachian music. The songs received recognition in several songwriting competitions, including an Honorable Mention in the Billboard song contest.
      Dan's third CD, WAYFARING STRANGER (2006) placed third in Kweevak's Listener's Choice Awards. One tune, "Big Gene", won Honorable Mention in the SONG OF THE MONTH contest. The CD was a showcase for his songwriting abilities. Traditional storytelling is mixed with a measured touch of contemporary sounds. Dan's often-praised guitar skills shine brightly in these arrangements.
      Dan's latest release, BACK TO MORGANTOWN (2008), is all acoustic. It features his bone-janglin' finger-picking guitar. Not to mention the songs about the rejected, the songs that long for a love far away, and the story of some pretty odd characters (and some pretty inexplicable behavior). Some older stuff too; A soaring instrumental version of the traditional tune, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" is meted out on Dan's old acoustic guitar. The music ends with the old Scottish song, "Annie Laurie"; a simple arrangement, with guitar, vocal and cello.
The Dominion Post has described Dan's playing as "guitar genius"
and by Ben Ohmart of Music Dish as "luscious."
“The guitar is outstanding! I’m talking great technique, great emotion and inventive playing.â€
-www.southofmainstream.com
"Dan Cunningham plays his guitar the way a man loves a woman---
with heart and caring and affection." Richard Fuller
Discography:
Courts of the King (1976) Ted Sandquist
Emerging (1977) Phil Keaggy Band
Let The Whole Earth (1984) Ted Sandquist
Be My Refuge (1985) Ted Sandquist
Not For Flatpickers Only (1986) Robin Kessinger
Re-Emerging (2000) Phil Keaggy Band
Into The Flow (2001)
Thread Of Healing (2002) Karen Taylor
I Think Of Home(2003)
Wayfaring Stranger (2006)
Back To Morgantown (2008)
Dan has performed/recorded with these artists (among others):
John Fischer
Phil Keaggy (Dove award winner, Grammy nominee)
Phil Madeira (Nashville songwriter, Buddy Miller Band)
Ted Sandquist
Nedra Talley Ross (Ronettes)
Jenny Allinder
Robin Kessinger (1985 National Flatpick Champ)
