Dan Cunningham - Information Sheet
eclectic, not electric

Dan Is featured in Travis Stimeling's book
SONGWRITING IN CONTEMPORARY WEST VIRGINIA


​Instrumentation:
      vocals, acoustic guitar, cello, bass, and wattamatumbus. In solo live performances Dan plays the guitar and sings.
Bio:
     Dan's “New Appalachian” music incorporates the essential simplicity of the rural mountains, drawing on both 'primitive' and more recent folk styles.  At it's root is his accomplished finger-picking style guitar sound and songs influenced by the story-telling folk tradition.     

     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.     Despite drifting from rock, to country to jazz; to blues, Bach and back again, Dan's own music did not 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 (Grammy winner, Nashville songwriter, producer and recording artist), L Arthur Nichols (Grammy winner, Nashville producer and songwriter), Lance DeMers (Hannah's Prayer), John Fischer, Jenny Allinder, Ted Sandquist and others.      

      It wasn't until the late 1990's that Dan began to concentrate on his own music, culminating in the release of Dan's first CD, INTO THE FLOW, in 2001. The all-instrumental recording  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      

     Dan's third CD, WAYFARING STRANGER (2006), placed third in Kweevak's Listener's Choice Awards. "Big Gene", won Honorable Mention in the SONG OF THE MONTH contest. Traditional storytelling is mixed with a measured touch of contemporary sounds. 

      BACK TO MORGANTOWN (2008), is all acoustic. It features his bone-janglin', brain twistin', finger-picking guitar. Original tunes by Dan plus a few traditional favorites: When Johnny Comes Marching Home is meted out on Dan's old acoustic guitar and the music ends with the old Scottish song, Annie Laurie presented in a simple arrangement with guitar, vocal and cello.

    In 2010, Dan released the single Out Of My Mind, a tragic tale set in the 1920's coalfields of West Virginia.  This song received recognition in the regional finals of the 2010 Mountain Stage/New Song Contest and was also a finalist in the 2010 Independent Music Awards (Story Song category).

     Dan was also a semifinalist in the 2011 SONG OF THE YEAR contest and the ACOUSTIC  ROUNDTABLE  2011 WORLDWIDE SINGER/SONGWRITER MUSIC SEARCH

     APPALACHIAN SONG (2013) featured traditional favorites like Amazing Grace, John Henry, and Angel Band are included along with West Virginia My Home and several originals - all performed acoustically with guitar, fiddle, bass, mandolin and what-have-you. Some responses to APPALACHIAN SONG:

“Wow what a great album! I love it!" - Sister Dorothy’s Music Blog

"I just listened to your Appalachian Song disc and I am very impressed..." Hunter Hughes WHRO FM

"You are a mighty fine picker and singer, and the album is full of memorable songs and consummate musicianship."
- DJ Clark KSPC 88.7 FM

"I love the backhills/country feel this album has, it makes it unique for sure." - Matt WYCE 88.1 FM

     CHRISTMAS GUITAR (2016) featured popular Christmas Carols arranged for acoustic guitar with cello and flute as a supporting instrumental cast. 
 
"Christmas Guitar is an impressive and inspiring recording throughout!" - James Filkins  (Minor 7th website)

     COUNTRY ROADS (2019) included songs about the Monongah Mine Disaster, the Mothman, Harry Spitz, and also traditional tunes, Wondrous Love, Star Of The County Down, and Wreck Of The Old 97. And let us not forget the popular John Denver song, Take Me Home Country Roads.

    LIVE AT BLACK BEAR (2020) documents a 2014 live performance which includes the Hank Williams tune I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry and Rocky Raccoon by the Beatles. Also included: Country Roads/West Virginia My Home medley, songs from EmmyLou Harris and Gillian Welch, and old favorites like Angel Band and Battle Cry Of Freedom. Of course there are originals, like I Ain't No Pretty Boy No More.

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.” www.southofmainstream.com 

"Dan Cunningham plays his guitar the way a man loves a woman---
with heart and caring and affection." Richard Fuller

Discography: ​
Dan also appears on these recordings (instrument credit in brackets)
  • Courts of the King (1976) Ted Sandquist <bass>
  • Emerging (1977) Phil Keaggy Band <bass>
  • Let The Whole Earth (1984) Ted Sandquist <bass/vocal>
  • Be My Refuge (1985) Ted Sandquist <bass>
  • Not For Flatpickers Only (1986) Robin Kessinger <cello/bass>
  • Re-Emerging (2000) Phil Keaggy Band <guitar/bass/vocal>
  • Thread Of Healing (2002) Karen Taylor <cello>
  • Sing With The Angels (2005) Karen Taylor <cello>
  • Songs Of Scott's Run (2016) Various Artists/Chris Haddox <cello>
  • Black Soil (2021) Brandhi Irvon <cello>
  • Bronco Bowl (released 2021) Phil Keaggy Band Live 1977/Dallas TX <bass>​

​​“Ah, love your music!!!”
Nadine Francis
KSPC Claremont CA 88.7 FM