biographical info
Many people’s first introduction to Dan and his
music would have occurred while walking through the Halifax Farmer’s Market in Halifax, Nova Scotia
where, almost every Saturday morning for thirteen years he busked for any and
all who would stop and listen.
However, it was his first venture with veteran
music producer, Paul Mills, that his fifth recording, “Fields of Dreams and
Glory”, would introduce his music to the world stage. This CD amassed an
amazing 74 consecutive weeks of international airplay – from folk radio shows
and stations throughout Canada and continental USA, to Australia, New Zealand,
Belgium, Holland, the UK, Ireland, and Israel. The album also generated
extremely favourable reviews in several Folk Music trade magazines such as:
Sing Out! – “Although not his first CD, ‘Fields of Dreams and Glory’ is my
first encounter with this incredible artist.” – Rich Warren, Spring 2006;
Penguin Eggs - “Dan McKinnon puts so much heart and soul into his music that
listening to him, be it live or on CD, is a healing experience.” - Mary Beth
Carty, Summer 2006; and Celtic Heritage - “Whether singing about a life
experience or an historical event, his knack for storytelling puts the listener
in the moment.” - John Ferguson, July/August 2005.
Thirty years of performing and six recordings later - from the coffeehouses, pubs, and bars of his early beginnings in Atlantic Canada,
Dan, “blessed with a gorgeous baritone voice, and an exceptional command of
phrasing, light and shade” (David Kidman, The Living Tradition,
September/October 2006), continues to convey his “finely crafted songs” to
audiences through his yearly tours throughout the UK and performances in and around the
Canadian Maritimes. Recent forays into Ontario, the US, as well as a tour of
Southeastern Australia in 2007 have only furthered to cement Dan’s commitment
and passion to the songs and stories of his Atlantic Canadian home.