Dan Crabtree: Press

I had some feedback after mentioning in last week's column that I was listening to local mail carrier Dan Crabtree's CD. His disc is called Believing is Seeing, and includes the song, "The Charlotte County 2004 Hurricane Season Experience." You can learn more about Dan and buy a copy of his CD at www.dancrabtree.net.

Chris Porter OTR column

Can music make the rains come?


OK, we got some rain this week, but we need more, right? It's time to turn up the music.

I got the idea Saturday afternoon sitting in a tiny corner of a campsite in Oscar Scherer State Park -- the only spot with any shade. I was listening to Dan Crabtree's CD, My Guitar and Me. Dan's a local postman who recorded a nice album of songs about love, faith, work at the carrier annex, and one called "The Charlotte County 2004 Hurricane Experience."

Listening to that story about wind and rain in such blasting heat got me thinking about the climate extremes we go through here in Florida.

I'm in no way wishing a hurricane on us -- I'll take a dry spell any day. But I wondered if songs about rain might not help bring some of the wet stuff.

"My Guitar and Me," 2 p.m. at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. Dan Crabtree will play folk favorites. Part of the center's "Beat the Heat" Summer Series. Cost, $5. 625-4175.

"My Guitar and Me," presented as a part of the CCCC "Beat the Heat" Summer Series, Sunday, July 24th--2:00pm--$5.00 (CC)
Get out of the heat and sink into the cool sounds of Dan Crabtree. Dan is a local performer whose one man show will feature folk favorites from all sorts of different artists. Come out and have a wonderful time listening to Dan perform. Fun and family friendly, this is another sure bet to beat the scorching summer heat!

"Dan is a US Postal Carrier whose passion is singing and playing Gospel music. He writes his own music and lives the life he sings."

"Mr Dan,
Thank you for my CD. I love the hurricane song.
Love, Brittany"

This was probably just one of my first homemade CDs with just the first 3 songs I ever wrote:

"Dear Dan and Kizzy
Thank you for such a special CD. I really did get a kick our of it. Your lives truly are interesting enough to translate into song.

No one would wish for a Hurrican Charley to suddenly apear in their life but you presented that bit of history in a good-natured way, and with a catchy tune, which will always be fun to listen to.

I vote for Kizzy's song too. It would be at the top of my chart for entertainment. It is lively, witty, and amusing. I realize these are all Dan Crabtree Originals but I have a hunch that Kizzy, with her ability for humor, interjects on-going inspiration for many ideas which may creep in. That is a clever rendition!

Last but not least - you know gospel music is always close to my heart. The message of faith is particularly relevant to me right now for where would I be without God by my side? The song is beautiful and I can tell you put your heart and soul in your work, with great results.

I played the CD at my family's Christmas-dinner celebration. They all liked it. They say you have a real future in every aspect of the business - songwriting, singing, performing, or wherever your interests take you - so with retirement beckoning out there in the future, I'd say you are well on your way!