Dan's Newsletter

Summer Newsletter! Lots of good stuff!

Summer is here! Okay.. okay... I know I haven't written a newsletter in a while... BUT there are so many ways to keep track of me these days it is ridiculous... The two sites I am often on and am easy to get a hold of are Myspace and Facebook. You can keep up with what I am doing daily if you really want to. I have also done a few video blogs this year on Youtube.... and if you want little updates most everyday what I am doing that can be viewed online or even sent to your phone; check me out on Twitter!

Where is the usual Big Summer Tour?
Although most summers of the 21st century find me busily on tour around the country... many factors have contributed to the decision to not embark on the normal 8000+ mile tour around the country this summer. The biggest reasons are the $4+ gallon of gas coupled with a poor economy. I also wanted time to finish the recording, mixing, and mastering of the forthcoming album... and to prepare for it's release this fall. I love being on tour but I'm also enjoyed being in town for once and riding my bike instead of driving, frequenting the local fruit and meat markets, and doing some little side projects for people which usually end in me getting paint in my hair. Not to mention I'm in the process of attempting to write 50 new songs...

'Lovely Distractions' Album Updates.
I started working on Lovely Distractions over a year and half ago... I was working on the recording between being on the road, which often didn't leave much time... Not to mention I had a few set backs... like lack of funds and my computer breaking and having to replace it to name a few. The good news is that the audio is now pretty much finished and ready to go... I will start pre-orders soon to help raise enough money to get the CD designed and replicated and into your hands.

I think you are going to love it! I was so fortunate to be able to work with a slew of talented folks. I hand picked each of the folks that played a part on the record. I wanted to get a group of people that all shared the love of innovate creative music... I also wanted all of the music on the record to be played by a human... no drum loops or samples. The members of the new "DV Ensemble" for 'Lovely Distractions' are listed on the bottom of this newsletter... Check them out! Ric Hordinski helped me record and mix the record... Ric has been an influential guitarist for me and I've been a big fan of his production work for years. I was lucky enough to get Richard Dodd to handle the task of mastering for me... he has mixed and/or mastered for Tom Petty, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Wilco, Green Day, Steve Earle, Robert Plant, the Traveling Wilburys, Dixie Chicks and many more.

Your Very Own CD Release Party! House Concerts and Church Concerts
Through out the month of October; I would love to do some CD Release Parties for YOU! Would like to host your very own CD Release Party? Let's do a house concert, church concert or some other type of concert... :)

House Concerts.
Do you have at least 15 friends that like live music? Do you like listening to acoustic music in an intimate setting? Then you should have a house concert! You'd be surprised how many people you can fit into a living room. :) More Info and FAQ about house concerts HERE.

Church Concerts.
If your church (or other organization) has a concert series or you'd like to get them to have a special event... Than let's do a concert this Fall! These sort of concerts are often like bigger house concerts and can be lots of fun! Please talk to the activities director or whoever is in charge of special events!

If you are interested in doing a house, church or other concert in October or whenever... please contact me and let's talk about the details!

P.S. If you'd like to bring me to your college to perform... I'm totally interested in that too... Talk to me and let's make it happen!

First FAWM... Now 50/90!! 50 New Songs in 90 days!
Seems like a long time ago now.. But in February I wrote and recorded 14 brand new songs as part of the FAWM.org challenge. Many of you that have seen me in concert this year have heard a few of these songs, I've had lots of requests for copies of the songs and I am most likely going to release these songs in some way in th near future.

Interested in following me as I attempt to write 50 songs in 90 days?? Want to hear the songs? Then go to the new 50/90 Blog that I set up just for you!!! Please subscribe to the blog and comment on the songs that you like! Go Listen!

Song of the Week (New Digital Album: Live @ Lemonjello's)
Looking for more Live material? This year instead of releasing a live record, I have released two different digital albums... The first one is a collection of interesting versions of songs through out the years called Odds & Ends which includes songs recorded is various places like NC, GA and even a song from the 2007 ELCA Gathering in Lansing, MI. The newest one is called Live @ Lemonjello's and is a full live concert that includes the majority of the banter from the show. The show was recorded on November 3, 2007 and is a great live concert to add to your collection... The Mp3s from Nimbit are ready to play right on iPod, Computer, or burn them to a CD... Buy them HERE!

New Merch Page (Just like the Big Green Suitcase)
For years, you have been asking that I create an online merchandise page that has everything that the big green merch suitcase has... Not only can you find all of the current merch, you can also go back to memory lane and pick up an older design T-shirt, or complete your CD collection with one of the CDs that is nearly sold out that isn't available in concert anymore before they are gone forever.. Go to the Merch Page and see what you need... :)

More Dan Vaillancourt Sites than you ever thought that you needed!!
Facebook (I finally joined... so be my friend.)
Myspace (Be my friend)
Twitter (Tiny almost daily updates that can even be sent to you mobile phone!):
You Tube (Find performance videos, video blogs and more!):
iLike (Listen to music and add it to your facebook page.):
Reverbnation (More New music and you can also add it to facebook):

The 'Lovely Distractions' Band includes:
Dan Vaillancourt – (guitars, lapsteel, organ, recording/editing, bass, beatbox, vocals, espresso)
Ric Hordinski (guitar, mixing, recording of drums/B3, reamping) -
Richard Dodd (mastering) -
Emily Carlson (violin)-
Eric Engblade (vocals, harmonica) -
Ricky Nye (B3 Organ) -
Matt Henninger (Bass) -
Josh Seurkamp (drums, percussion) -
Ash Peacock (vocals) -
Thomas Boles (vocals) -
Kay Vaillancourt aka my Mom. (vocals)
Randy Vaillancourt aka my Dad. (mandolin, banjo)
Beckie Vaillancourt aka my sister. (vocals)

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There you have it! You're the best!

-dan