Dan Reynolds - Nowhere Home (2008)

As a kid, Dan used to ride his bike to the used record shop and buy up old folk-rock records from the 25-cent bin Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Lightfoot, Croce… He taught himself to play guitar along with every song. He fell in love with that music, and eventually met talented local musicians who helped him learn even more songs, guitar and harmony. Local artists like Jill Jack and Billy Brandt introduced him to a wide array of new (and old) music as well as highly-respected musicians like Nolan Mendenhall and David Mosher. In the years that followed, David and Dan became good friends, and Dan sought David's help in becoming a better musician and songwriter. It wasn't easy for Dan to find his own voice. His early songwriting attempts lacked direction and emotion, and most of the songs ended up on the cutting room floor. But late one night, while going through the most emotionally intense time of his life, Dan stopped by David's house with a stack of crumpled papers and hand-scrawled notes stuffed into his guitar case. One by one, he played through the four or five songs that had practically written themselves in the preceding days and weeks, while David listened. For the first time, Dan's voice came through loud and clear. He had finally found the motivation and intensity he needed, and they started recording that night. Dan continued writing and, before he was done, several more songs had taken shape. His first original album, "Nowhere Home", was born. In addition to producing Dan's first album, David Mosher contributed his immense instrumental and vocal talents to the project. He is featured on mandolin, banjo, dobro, fiddle, bass and backing vocals. Nolan Mendenhall provides his signature bass tracks on several songs as well. Their collaboration helped each of Dan's songs come to life - even before those songs were ever heard by an audience. Dan works as a writer and editor, performing live music around his hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan whenever opportunities arise. You'll also find him working in the backwoods of his northern Michigan camp, and taking on odd jobs for neighbors and friends to help make ends meet.