When you say the name, "Danny Holley," to me, a lot of thoughts come to mind; "The Hammond B-3 Organ," "Record Albums," "The Midas Touch night club," and the "Top Hat Supper Club," in Windsor, "Should I have ordered the chicken instead of the fish?" - well, they all don't pertain to him! When I think of Danny Holley, I think about a musician with style and showmanship, a sense of humor that pushes the envelope, a great cook and one helluva a nice guy.

I am the person who can say he's Danny's biggest fan! But I've been luckier than most of his other fans. Danny has been my teacher, mentor, friend and now boss. How many people can say, "Danny Holley played the organ at my wedding ceremony?" (I'm still not quite sure what thrilled my bride most - the wedding or the organist!)

At the time that Mr. Holley began teaching for a music studio, I didn't know how lucky I was. But my parents , knowing his name, knew what he was all about. I continued to study under Danny's instruction at his new studio. Knowing my love and interest of both playing and listening to the organ music he produced, he was kind enough to take me under his wing. I was privy to rehearsals at the Macomb Theater and at "Pipes and Pizza," in Waterford.

In the mid-80's, I began a semi-professional acting career requiring tons of over-the-top showmanship. I used everything Danny taught me about entertainment. Shortly after my show closed, Danny was to have a short engagement at Dante's Lounge - and it was my luck that Danny asked me to help him set up his organ registrations. At the same time, I showed him the synthesizer work I had just begun.

For a short while I has lost contact with Danny - and after reconnecting with him, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that not only was he working on a synthesizer, but he was specializing in his own compositions. (I'd like to think that in some small way, I contributed to this change.)

I realize that so many of us (Danny Holley fans) were drawn to him for his capability of recreating sounds and feelings on the organ like the train leaving the station in "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" or the singing birds in "Yellow Bird" - not to mention his renditions of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Cabaret," or "New York, New York." This new music by Danny Holley isn't the end of that fantastic organ music by any means. It is, in fact, a broadened version of what he's always done. "I enjoy playin' the organ, but what I'm doin' now allows me to use the instruments I was tryin' to mimic on the organ."

For those of you who may think this is Danny's first time writing his own music - it's really not. This is just the first time it's truly being played for the public. Take it all in! Listen to the lyrics as well as the music. You'll find Danny has a magical way with a phrase as well as a tune. (Danny, who is not a singer himself, brought me to tears trying to sing a song over the phone. The sentiments were stronger than the lack of vocal perfection! And isn't that what music is all about?)

Now, just a quick note about me and this show ... I still work on my music when I get a chance. Lately, most of my time is spent working as either a video technician or an audio technician. When Danny Called me to inquire as to my availability for his show, I jumped at it.

What started out as just running a soundboard grew to directing lighting and a video technician as the scale of the show grew, as well as running a mobile recording studio. You just don't get more involved than being the technical director. And I have to say - I'm loving it!!

My gratitude goes to Danny - finally a chance to do for him what he has done for me - give my all. And I'm so happy he feels it's time for the public to hear his music.

Thanks for giving me a moment to tell you why I feel this is a must-see performance. I hope to see you at the next show! (Maybe when we take it on it's national tour!?)

With absolute pleasure,