New Goldmine Article On Dane Donohue And His New Album

 https://www.goldminemag.com/music-history/yacht-rock-dane-donohue-on-overlooked-star-filled-1978-album-and-new-re-lease

-Daniel

September 10, 2024

Out This Week!

Out this week! A couple of great releases that feature the work of yours truly.

LA Rainbow, the first album in 46 years by Yacht Rock legend Dane Donohue, is out this week on Japan’s P-Vine Records. If you know Dane’s story, you know how massively cool it was to take the interior photos for the album with Dane this past July. Stay tuned for some more Dane Donohue stuff, as well.

Honest Effort, the new album by Time Sawyer, is now ready for your ears. I shot the interior B&W photos on film, using the same battered Canon AE-1 camera I’ve used all of these years. And yes, I need to do more of that again, so my thanks to Sam and TS for putting George back in action. 

See you at the record store, and see you on the road.

-Daniel

September 6, 2024

The Past Week

This past week. Sunday to Thursday, photos of the Miss May Tea in Huntersville, NC, one Blumenthal event, and two others in Charlotte and Monroe.

Thursday, honored to be a pallbearer at Maurice Williams' funeral, and photos of Larry Carlton at Middle C Jazz. Friday, photos of one Carolina Business Review taping, honored Jan Barley's 90th birthday with a tea and lunch in Monroe, back to Charlotte for photos of the Dine & Shine gala, and The Popes at The Evening Muse.. Saturday, photos of the Great Gatsby Gala, and the Charlotte Folk Society concert, and photos of an Opera Guild event this afternoon in Mooresville.

And much more to tell you about soon.

If you're reading this, thank you. Love to all, and I hope to see you somewhere soon, be it on the road, or somewhere in front of my camera.

-Daniel

August 18, 2024

RIP Bill Flowers

Tuesday morning, honored to be a pallbearer and speak at Bill Flowers' memorial service. So good to see so many Milestone veterans there, and I know that there were many more that wished that they were there. You were there, in spirit.

To those that asked for photos, I generally do not post photos of funerals or memorials, but if you would message me, I will send you a link.

Tonight, the Passing Show returns to the American Legion World Series in Shelby, NC, then the Big Star Radio City show at the Cat's Cradle. Come say hello. This traveler is a little worn out, yet still grateful for the journey.

I know that I referenced the Undertones and MC5 this morning, but this is the song for today. Here's to all the fellow Carnival Kids on the road, and on the Great Highway. See you soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9hl1XW-N3s

-Daniel

August 20, 2024

The Underground Garage Festival, 20 Years On

The Underground Garage Festival, twenty years ago today.

I drove through the night from Charlotte, after a client forced me to work late. I got to Randalls Island around 10am, before they even had set up the media check-in. I shot the whole day, all 45 bands, on adrenalin and whatever soda I could get my hands on. 

That day is a blur, but I things I do remember. The impending hurricane. The rotating stage that broke, forcing most bands to only play two songs. Talking to Pete Best, and trying to hear his soft voice through the backstage noise. Having Bruce Springsteen cut in front of me to meet the Electric Prunes. Meeting Bo Diddley, Nancy Sinatra, Bob Greun. All of the bands like the Prunes, Pretty Things and Creation that I never thought I'd see.

The last three bands got to do full sets. The New York Dolls, in their only American reunion show at the time. They were amazing, and the photographers decided en masse to not leave the pit after the usual first two songs. We all sat down and enjoyed the show, without saying a word. The Strokes, who were having a bad Doors show moment with their mess of a lead singer. The Stooges. The freaking Stooges. Throughout the day, there had been a large movie camera positioned on the stage for a planned movie of the festival. Halfway through their set, Iggy Pop jumped on top of the camera and rig, and proceeded to hump and ride it for a few minutes. We all cheered. 

After the show, and before the hurricane landed in New York, I drove all the way to Delaware before I could find an affordable hotel. I got caught in a traffic jam around Washington, so I pulled off the interstate, found a camera store and processed much of my film. I photographed a Lucinda Williams show as I arrived back in Charlotte, and proceeded to spent the rest of the night scanning and editing pics.  

There are times I look back at my life, and I'm still amazed that I did that. I lived for years on a bull-headed idea that if I wanted to be there, then I should be there. There was a big world out there, and I didn't want to miss out. I often was in Charlotte long enough for work, and to buy film for my next shoot. Create, repeat. I'm proud of that kid that went out and did all of that, and that I still have the photos of all of those adventures. Work keeps me in NC more than it did twenty years ago, but that siren call is still there, never too far from earshot.

It's anniversaries like these that remind me to still get out on the road, and create something new. As Mr. Cash said in the liner notes to Unchained, "Sometimes, when the wind howls at night, I still wish I was crazy."

Amen. And play it loud, if it feels right. Given time, it may matter even more.

-Daniel 

August 14, 2024

Happy 90th Birthday, Jan Barley

Hello Jan. Today would have been, and will always be your 90th birthday. I've been thinking about you a lot this year. About how much I'm glad that you and Morry didn't have to deal with the craziness of the past few years, while still missing you every day.

Missing running home on Friday nights to talk to you via phone or Zoom. Missing your emails to you, and our friend Blinker, whose personality grew from wanting to have a second childhood with you in my life. 

I miss you, and yet you are here. All of your letters and emails. All of your writings, which either reside on this computer, or in boxes nearby. You left so much for us that still ripples through the lives of the ones you loved. And always will.

Happy birthday, wherever you are tonight. And many more. 

Love always, from your wayward fan,

--Daniel Coston

Memorial For Maurice Williams

The memorial for Maurice Williams will be at First Baptist West,1801 Oaklawn Avenue in Charlotte, NC, on Thursday, August 15th, beginning at noon. See you in the stars, Maurice.

-Daniel

August 8, 2024