Musician’s Corner Feature – Danny Banda
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Trinity River Blues Society will be showcasing Hispanic musicians, culture, and their contributions to music and the arts.
We are honored to present Danny Banda!
Buddy Magazine – March 1998
CD Review – The Catdaddys – No Messin’ Around:
“Danny Banda prowls the frets of his guitar, and the notes fall like rain, merging into one sweet stream.” – Anne Mueller
Southwest Blues Magazine – October 2005
CD Review – DC & The Capitols – All Night Long:
“Danny Banda tears it up on guitar. He is an accomplished guitar player who really knows how to romance a solo. He also did a great job on production.” – Bill Fountain
Danny was born in Oak Cliff, Texas, in 1964 and has been playing guitar since the age of 10. He has been performing in bands since he was 15, mostly around the Dallas area, including a five-year stint as a sideman for Dempsey Crenshaw of “Shame, Shame,” starting in 1989.
Danny formed The Catdaddys in 1994 with Randy Kounus, Mickey Carson, and the late Tommy Melton, where he took on the role of lead guitarist and frontman. The Catdaddys worked steadily in the DFW metroplex until disbanding in 2001, after which Danny reunited with Dempsey Crenshaw to form DC & The Capitols.
Unlike their previous working relationship, DC & The Capitols was a collaboration where Dempsey and Danny shared the frontman duties for live performances.
Danny also arranged and produced the CD All Night Long in 2005 for Dempsey Crenshaw. All music was written by Dempsey and arranged by Danny. Although DC & The Capitols officially disbanded in 2010, Danny and Dempsey continue to perform together regularly, billing themselves under their own names.
In August 2023, Danny began recording Still Hot in Texas, featuring original music by Dempsey Crenshaw and Danny Banda. This marked their first collaboration since DC & The Capitols in 2005. In the winter of 2023, they also worked on The Blues Brought Me Through, which was completed in March 2024. Once again, Dempsey Crenshaw and Danny Banda wrote the original music for this CD. Danny played all guitars and served as the producer for both recordings.
In addition to his collaborations with Dempsey Crenshaw, Danny Banda also performs as a solo artist. While his collaborations focus more on a raw roots blues sound, Danny’s solo performances tend to feature a diverse mix of blues, R&B, soul, Motown, funk, and other dance music. This blend has been pleasing audiences and creating a following for Danny wherever he performs in the North Texas area.