Dany Vavrek is an acoustic singer/songwriter based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Combining a broad and continually growing catalog of originals and covers with a warm, unpretentious, and welcoming stage presence, Vavrek’s music leaves you with a cozy feeling.
“My passion for music was sparked in the 6th grade when I was 13 or 14 years old. I attended catholic school and was a bit of a trouble maker at the time, a class clown of sorts. My music teacher decided to teach me a lesson and insisted I be in the school play. At first, I thought the joke was on her. I didn’t think much of it. Then she told me that I was going to be singing and that got my attention. It was through this that I found my voice.”
Dany spent most of his musical career fronting bands as a vocalist. His first band, Further Gone, had much success very quickly. They made waves on the Johnstown music scene at a remarkable pace. At their height, they opened for the legendary band Foghat, known for such hits as “Slow Ride” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You.”
“Further Gone broke up because our egos did us in. We had so much success so fast that we let it get to our heads. It was a valuable learning experience and ultimately paved the way for me to expand and grow as a musician. I joined a group called YUM, which became an 18-year venture, probably some of the best years of my life and extremely formative.”
After YUM suddenly and unexpectedly dissolved in 2017, Dany was left uncertain about what he was going to do musically. He had always been a singer and seen himself in that light exclusively. After being in a band for so long, to suddenly need to start over seemed like a daunting task.
With the encouragement of some close friends, Dany was charged with actualizing a potential he did not recognize in himself.
“Jen Butchko, a friend who had helped me land the 18-year gig with YUM, was at it again. She, along with Katie Fisher, told me that I should continue to play music. It was kind of a different approach for me as I didn’t play an instrument in either band, so learning to play one, and sing was something I never thought possible. Katie and Jen both convinced me to at least try, and so here I am, playing guitar and singing as a soloist.”
ONE WORLD BLUE QUESTION: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Dany Vavrek: “Without a doubt I would say Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20). The tone of his voice, and the way he delivers the message in a song. Scott Stapp (Creed), James Taylor, Elton John, just to name a few.“
ONE WORLD BLUE: How can musicians utilize this time during a worldwide pandemic for the good, both personally as well as for the good of humanity?
Dany Vavrek: During this time of quarantine, It is my belief that it is the best time to connect with your audience simply because we are all In this together. Personally I am going to Facebook and performing ‘LIVE’ from my living room every night (except Wednesdays and Weekends) to give people something to look forward too. I am taking requests from them and trying to make them ‘part of the show’. I think it’s important for people to just forget about the trials of life for awhile and just listen to something that maybe they wouldn’t have ever experienced otherwise.”
“Through this process, I’ve learned a lot about myself and about unearthing abilities within. We sometimes are not aware of our capabilities until we are pushed in a direction we never considered. My growth with guitar greatly surprised me, and to be doing what I’m now doing musically is really a dream come true. The response has been so heartening and encouraging. Friends have told me that I just have no idea how many people are listening around the country. I’ve even had requests for merchandise and Dany Vavrek acoustic gear. With the assistance of a good friend I’ve opened my online store.”
Like most musicians in this uncertain time, Dany has had his public performance schedule cleared indefinitely due to the Pandemic. Dany has been utilizing his time expanding his repertoire each week as he receives many requests on his Facebook live concerts. He enjoys the challenge of learning new music and continues to push himself to grow as an artist. Dany is also a Veteran, a Marine, and he spends some of his quarantine time pairing with others to bring meals to disabled veterans in his area.
Big Mountain is an American Reggae band best known for their remake of Peter Frampton’s “Ooh, Baby, I Love Your Way” which became a top 10 international hit that took Big Mountain up the charts and on tour around the world. With vocalist and songwriter Joaquin “Quino” McWhinney distinctive voice, “Baby I Love Your Way” has become a generational love anthem that is recognized by all ages everywhere.
Press Kit
BIG MOUNTAIN IS BACK
With a new album FREEDOM releasing in March 2022, Big Mountain and friends are launching a global comeback tour to bring Reggae upliftment to the people as we recover from the darkness and isolation of a worldwide pandemic. Freedom, love, faith, respect, and roots living are essential themes in Big Mountain’s FREEDOM album. The new music is flavored with Roots Reggae, dancehall, Reggaeton, R&B, Afro-pop and Latin rhythms, bringing something for everyone, something to get the world up dancing again! (from one of the album’s singles “You Got Me Up”).
Quino, Big Mountain’s iconic “Baby I Love Your Way” lead singer, and the band are dedicated to bringing more hope, health, and positive vibes to the world.
LIVE FREE! Vive Libre!
HOT NEW COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSAL LATINO RECORDING ARTIST TORAI
BIG MOUNTAIN BAND includes Joaquin “Quino” McWhinney on guitar and lead vocals, James McWhinney on vocals and percussion, Paul “GroovesGalore” KasticK on drums, guitarist Audley “Chizzy” Chisholm, keyboardist Richard “Goofy” Campbell, and Mike Ortiz, bassist.
“For me, songwriting is a solution to the problems I see in the world. Big Mountain is back to bring fresh positivity to everyone who has supported us through the years. But we are also here to inspire kids of today to take up the mission that we started in the 90s, the mission to heal our damaged world.”
In this collection of excerpts edited from an exclusive interview featured on https://www.benzinga.com, Bruce Caplin, the manager of Big Mountain talks more about the band’s journey into the music.
Bruce Caplin: Big Mountain’s music is a fusion of Reggae, Latin and Pop. With Quino, the lead singer and main lyricist, having been influenced as a youth with R&B, such as Earth Wind & Fire and Roots Reggae with Bob Marley, Quino fuses humanitarian minded lyrics with catchy melodies.
Interviewer: Tell us about the journey of Big Mountain in the industry so far.
Bruce Caplin: In 1991, Big Mountain was originally named Shiloh, with their album title “California Reggae”. While Shiloh was on their promotional tour for the California Reggae album, I just so happen to see Quino’s performance one evening with his band Shiloh during their west coast tour of the United States.
Bruce Caplin: I had been in charge of launching several artist’s careers using FM radio and was very experienced at radio airplay. Artists that I have played an integral part in their careers, to name just a few out of dozens are, ZZ Top, Van Halen, AC/DC, Dire Straits (“Brothers In Arms” album and singles released), Prince, Los Lobos, and A-AH. So when I heard Quino singing that night, I knew that he was special and that I could do something big with him.
Interviewer: How did you two come up with the idea of the cover “Ooh Baby I love your way”?
Bruce Caplin: Ron Fair was the A&R Director pf RCA Records and he came up with re-recording “Ooh, Baby I Love Your Way”.
Interviewer: What message do you convey with your music?
Bruce Caplin: It has always been a struggle between Quino and myself when it comes to song messages. Quino is a true Rasta and a person who truly cares for the less fortunate people. He prefers to write and sing about the everyday struggles and strife.
Bruce Caplin: I on the other hand like up-tempo, uplifting, feel-good songs and also spiritual songs. So what takes place within a Quino / Caplin production is, I will lean into feeling Quino’s desire to write a song about wisdom or history and Quino leans into feeling my desire to get the people up singing and hopefully dancing and/ or hugging each other. The one final goal within our collaborations is that Big Mountain stands for family values and the projection of kindness…
