Press
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"Vintage troubadour style...a raw authenticity
– AMERICANA UK
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"Whitaker is a top class lyricist"
– COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE
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“Whitaker’s vocals are perfectly suited to this music; he has a smooth world-wise voice that settles in somewhere between Waylon Jennings and Don Williams.”
– BANDCAMP NAVIGATOR
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“Spinning tales of love, loathing and non-conforming, Whitaker crafts tunes with the world-weary word play in the vein of Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Nick Cave.”
– C-U CITYVIEW
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"A country-music craftsman"
– CHICAGO READER
Credit: Lori Dodson
Credit: Lori Dodson
Credit: Lori Dodson
About
Songwriter Dan Whitaker is a lifelong musician with over 30 years performing and 14 albums of original songs to his name. Noted for his “smooth world-wise voice” and well-crafted tunes, he recently relocated from his longtime home Chicago to start a new chapter in Texas, where his outsider ways seem to fit right in. Whitaker’s country music is shot through with blues, jazz, and folk, a freewheeling style that takes you on a journey through life’s ups and downs with humor and insight.
His latest album, I Won’t Play By Your Rules, is a reckoning of sorts—and an invitation to live the life you’re meant to live, no matter if it comes late. It speaks of giving the middle finger to your deadend job, finding solace in the kindness of others, and leaving all your problems behind for one last spin on the dance floor. Engineered by Alex Hall at Reliable Recorders (Cactus Blossoms, Pokey LaFarge), Whitaker lets his love for soulful harmonicas, lonesome pedal steel, and jazzy telecasters rip over ten memorable tracks—with a stealthy instrumental featuring Chris Neal on saxophone as a digital bonus.
Artwork: Jared Metzner
Discography
I Won’t Play By Your Rules – Dan Whitaker (2023)
One More Story Told – Dan Whitaker (2021)
Movin’ On With You – Dan Whitaker (1999, 2021 remaster)
Far, Far Away – Dan Whitaker & The Shinebenders (2019)
Anything You Wanted To – Dan Whitaker & The Shinebenders (2017)
Truck Ride – Dan Whitaker & The Shinebenders (2016)
The Gyps II– The Gyps (2015)
The Gyps – The Gyps (2008)
Shinebender – Dan Whitaker & The Shinebenders (2006)
Your Final Ride – Dan Whitaker Country Band (2004)
Stare Into the Sun – Great Plains Gypsies (2004)
Ride the Blinds – Great Plains Gypsies (2001)
One Dark Day – Great Plains Gypsies (1998)
Meeting at the Building – Great Plains Gypsies (1997)
Hipster Club Blues/Last Song For You – vinyl single, Great Plains Gypsies (1995)
On A Clear Day You Can See Byron – compilation, 2 songs, Junebug Massacre (1991)
Far, Far Away reaches #9 on the Alt Country chart
2019 Ameripolitan Music Awards Honky Tonk Band nominee
2016 Independent Music Awards Country album nominee for Truck Ride
Contact
BOOKING
Dan Whitaker | danswhitaker@gmail.com
MANAGEMENT & PUBLICITY
Meg Williams | meg@harpervalleypr.com
LABEL
Empty Highway | emptyhighwayrecords@gmail.com