Dan Whitaker leads his country band into the classic country realm of country music, playing what they want, and having a good time of it.
Dan Whitaker & The Shinebenders make their own version of country music that blends classic country, western swing, hillbilly and outlaw. It features DW's original C&W material, along with a variety of country classics. Their classic country covers range from the 1940's period of Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb through the 50's and 60's, with artists such as George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Charlie Pride, Bob Dylan and The Louvin Brothers, and into the 70's outlaw era of Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, The Allman Brothers, and the cosmic American country of Gram Parsons.
The band has been playing frequently in the Chicago area and the surrounding cities over the past three years, including bigger shows at Arlington Park and The Chicago Country Music Festival. Their first CD, Your Final Ride, is available on Sunny Smedley Records via most on-line retailers such as Amazon, and can be downloaded at music sites, such as itunes. Their new CD, Shinebender, is scheduled for release in summer 2006.
In addition to the country band, Dan Whitaker has been playing his original songs over the past ten years in The Great Plains Gypsies. He also joins in on guitar in Jay Harris' Whiskeyhorse. His past band endevours include June Bug Massacre (1987-1993), A Horse Named Bill (1993-1995) and Athletic (2000-?).
Dan Whitaker - lead vocals, electric guitar
Chase Jackson – drums
Earl Powers – bass
Belden “Trip” Kimball III – guitars, vocalsEarl
Red Winston – pedal steel guitar
Floyd Acres – guitar, vocals
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