Exposed Vocals Interviews Danny June

Born in Hanau, Germany (former home of the American Forces), Danny June Smith knew from an early childhood age, which way the path of life led her, through a world full of music, great and small stages surrounded by people who share her life’s passion. Now her talent has finally been noticed and the world loves her music and voice.

Danny June´s musical homeland is Country and Folk music. Starting with Hank Williams, Minnie Pearl, Patsy Cline then John Denver, Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, the Highwaymen all the way until Martina McBride, Sherrié Austin, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks, Paul Overstreet, Faith Hill and the modern Nashville and world stars Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood, Justin Moore, The Band Perry, Gloriana just to name a few.

With various Country formations, Danny has been traveling since 1999 throughout Europe and small parts of the US, enriching her Country Music fans with her clear country timbre, sometimes Rock, sometimes Bluesy, and sometime quite simply a Ballad with that “goose bump” effect.
Her facets extend further to make room for even small musical excursion into the world of Latin music, French songs, oldies, musical songs, classical music, 80’s and modern pop-rock.
As a passionate musician, Danny June was trained in Classical music (1998-2001), Musicals (2007-2009), Popular/Rock/Country/Jazz (since 2009), declaring “You Never Stop Learning”. She also plays Guitars, Percussions and Flute, basics on Mandolin and Banjo, stating “and everything else that’s necessary can be learned”.  By the way: The notes and melodies in her heart and mind came up first when she was 6 years playing the Electro Organ, on white she gave very successful concerts in her home town.
Since 2000, Danny has been writing her own songs, which have awarded her 35 prizes which beat the record by the German Rock Pop Prize. But this was only the beginning. Please find her accomplishments here (bitte hier zur Seite mit allen aktuellen Preisen leiten)
She says “I write about Life, Love, actual themes of modern life that have touched me, as well as stories that I experience or those that have been shared with me. That’s Country. :)” This passionate musician writes her songs in English and later translates them into German for her fans at home who grateful appreciate her devotion.
Danny June followed up the success of her first album “Back in the Bar”(Herpeton Publishing House 2008/2009), at April 2013 , with her two albums “Made in June” and “Für Dich ganz allein” (Special German Version), with original Rocking Songs, Ballads, Tex-Mex and Folky Sounds, perfectly arranged with First Rate Musicians turning Sounds into Songs. Her new songs are reigning the German Countrymusic Airplay Charts with first places. Country Radio Stations all over the world are playing her songs. Stay connected to her website and her wonderful world of music. You can also find her on Facebook and YouTube.
As soon as a sponsor is found, the production of new wonderful JUNE- Country Songs is going to start.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

I´ve been loving the voice and person of June Carter Cash. June is my favorite Name. Furthermore, my dad´s been born in June and June is my favorite month. A lot of great reasons for this wonderful name in the middle of my birth name.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

I do not like to share my music for free, every artist should be paid for his efforts. And a musician is very creative and has to eat and drink as all the others. Sometimes I give songs to internet radio stations to become more popular.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

I can give the tip to write emails with a download link to every pub and festival you can find. Some will get back to you, some won´t. It´s a lot of hard work – but it´s worth trying everyday. And if you stand behind it you will succeed.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

You can find me vie www.danny-june-smith.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Soundcloud, Amazon, Itunes, Musicload, MyMusic, MySpace, TumblR, Google+, FlickR,…

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Roy Black and some very heartbreaking Schlager titles – I just love romance.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

I would find a nice little home to have a studio in it, a big garden for my dog and someone who cares about the trees and grass to look fabulous. A forest in front of my door would fit just right. I love nature, animals and freedom.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

I will be writing with a nice colleague in spring, no plans on a new album right now. But it´s a dream to find another sponsor for this great happening and then – let´s go!

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

On my live gigs most of my music is sold. Sometimes people find their way via my website.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

I would sing a love song with Dwight Yoakam in Nashville or Texas – I simply love his voice and I love Country Music. Do I have to say more? 🙂

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

I will be touring with the boys and taking care of my musical stuff. This is why I became an artist. I want to be on stage and play for my fans and friends all over Europe (and maybe in the US, again).

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

I probably had a farm with lots of different anymals.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

My first Album was “Permanent Vacation” by Aerosmith. I still need Steven Tyler´s voice to calm me down when I am in bad mood. He´s like a God of Music for me. It feels like he holds me tight and gives me all the strength that I lost right back with one or tho songs.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

I try to book as good as I can to perform my music every week.  For I am a full- time musician I make all kinds of music from pop to musical, from Golden Oldies to Rock and from Folk to – of course- Country Music (my biggest love of all).

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

For our tour all over Germany (find all my dates on my website) and parts of Europe (still planning more than Switzerland, Austria and Norway) and – maybe – to a new album. Workin´ on it :).