Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to JD Danner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

JD, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I believe what sets me apart from other artists is that I did not start performing professionally until I was 30 years old. Most serious artists hit the stage and the road in their 20’s and sometimes even younger. In the business of music if you have not made it by 30, especially as a woman, that’s when you try something else. Though I started playing and loving music at a very young age, I took a detour into corporate America. Even though my family was musical, playing music was regarded as a hobby and not a career. So I abandoned the dream and left that part of me behind until another broken dream brought me right back to my true heart’s desire… After 5 years of the physical and emotional pain of a struggle with infertility, I was told that having a child was not possible. I had gained 40lbs in the process and felt completely hopeless. At this point I just needed to feel joy again. It was then remembered what truly made me happy, So I signed up for vocal lessons, started my first band and never looked back!

JD, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Performing and writing music has been a life-line for me for so many years and so many reasons. Writing music can be very cathartic and performing takes you to another place. You have no worries or stressed when you are on that stage. You go on a different plane, somewhere out of reality. Playing music on stage is an amazing escape.

I like to use music in a philanthropic way. In doing so, I have had the opportunity to pen songs used in fundraising for organizations such as Women In Distress (aiding victims of domestic violence) and The American Cancer Society.

As a member of the LGBTQ community, I tour nationally to play at Pride events along with touring nationally and overseas to perform at military bases for our military men and women and their families. One of my proudest moments was being invited to perform my song, “Thanks To The Brave” at a Veteran’s Day half-time show for the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Performing at Nashville’s legendary Blue Bird Cafe is also an achievement I am very proud of in my career. Each time I return to play there I am gratefully in awe to be on that stage.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There have been many times I have wanted to give up but every time I got close to walking away, something would happen to convince me to keep going. The music always calls me back… When a fan writes to let me know that one of my songs got them through a tough time or that they chose one of my songs for their wedding song, that is beyond priceless and inspiring.

One time I was scheduled to play a music festival that promised to be a huge opportunity. After driving four hours and paying travel expenses and hotel rooms for the entire band, I realized it was a total scam. On the drive home, fuel by anger, tears and truck stop coffee – I decided to call it quits. I questioned why am I still doing this? When I got home I check my email and sitting in my inbox was a letter from as woman who had bought a CD at one of my shows. She said I didn’t know her but my song, “Shelter From The Shame” inspired her to leave an abusive relationship, move to a different state and build a shelter for victims of domestic violence. My tears became tears of joy -there was my reason why I do this!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

The road has been fulfilling but peppered with various challenges including the inevitable moments of disappointment and rejection. I have had many non-creative people ask me why do I keep doing this business of music. They look for the reward in dollars and cents. When it comes to that aspect, this is a business of the haves and have-nots. For the lucky few their musical efforts make them more money than any one person needs to make. However for the majority, this business of music usually costs more money than anyone ever makes. For those, just breaking even is a win.

However we do it for those moments of magic. My passion for music keeps me on this journey of magic and madness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jddanner.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jddanner/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jddannerband/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JDDannerBand
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jddanner/videos
• Other: https://www.reverbnation.com/jddanner?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

Image Credits
Joanie Cox-Henry