About Danny's Reasons
Danny's Reasons were formed in 1964. Originally consisting of Danny Stevens, Mickey Stevens, Ceedy Van Dusen, Bob Gonya, and Frank Marino. After being presented on Dick Clark's music showcase program, the band's popularity only rose from there.
After taking on David Zimmerman (Bob Dylan's brother) as manager and Dick Shapiro as promoter, Danny's Reasons began touring the Midwest's massive college scene. From there they began tours, first on the west coast, Hollywood, Los Angeles, then being booked for two week stints at places like New York's "The Trick". Though gaining renown all over the country Danny's Reasons always saw themselves as a Twin Cities group, never relocating or shying away from their roots.
1967 saw The Reasons first appearance at the Twin Cities' "Connie Awards", (Founded by record promoter Connie Hechter, editor of the area's music and entertainment periodical "Connie's Insider") members of the band had a hand in just about every conceiveable award presented, either winning or being nominated. This began the five year reign of The Reasons at the awards; from 1967 to 1972, they dominated the award ceremonies.
Following a show that the band played with Steppenwolf on August 8th, 1969, KDWB Radio pulled all advertisting that had anything to do with Danny's Reasons. This was decided after the The Reasons performed "... Songs which were highly suggestive of off color material..." Club owners and operators grew increasingly nervous; if they couldn't advertise the band that was already booked to play their nightclubs and concert halls attendance would plummet. Though KDWB took a very harsh stance, (going so far as forbidding any employee of the radio station to even attend a Danny's Reasons show) it ultimately had the opposite effect: using the image of "banned in Boston", the band's popularity continued to sky rocket.
Star Tribune, Oct, 1976
For over 40 years Danny's Reasons have represented the Twin Cities all over the country, and proven their longevity. Assuming you're in the right place, you can still catch a Danny's Reasons show this weekend.
State Teen Fair, winning 1st place out of 500 other bands.
American Bandstand days
In these days the band played with other acts like Bobby Vintton, Little Eva, Joey D and the Starlighters, Fabian, Dion, The Ventures, Johnny and the Hurricanes, Big D Irwin, The Dovelles, The Coasters, as well as many other American Bandstand groups
Danny Stevens with Dick Clark
Sunday, March 4th, 1973, Star Tribune
Michael Anthony; Writer
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Danny Stevens, of Danny's Reasons. Minnesota's first teen idol.
Late 1960's: Danny's Reasons performing at Magoo's/Mr. Lucky's with Cream (Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce) as their supporting act. From left to right: Eric Clapton, Jimmy Lawrence (Voted best R&B singer at Connie Awards), Danny Stevens (Voted Best Showman at Connnie Awards), Keith Krupp (#1 Bass Player in upper Midwest at Connie Awards), Tom Hopps (Voted best Guitar Player and Rock n' Roll singer category at Connie Awards), drummer Bill.
The group won Best Show Group of the Year.
Tom Hopps, (Guitarist, second on right of Danny) was brought into the group to compliment the Reasons' sound while they supported national acts that came through the Twin Cities and played The Depot. Tom was considered the best rock and roll vocalist and guitar player in the upper Midwest. That year, Danny's Reasons won "Best Show Group", and Danny won "Best Showman" for the Connie awards. All those picutred above are now members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2007: Mickey Stevens, Danny, Jimmy Lawrence, Chuck Edwards, Keith Krupp and Tom Hopps)
Tom Hopps, and Danny's Reasons with Cream
Keith Krupp, and Danny's Reasons with Cream
Bill, and Danny's Reasons with Cream
Picture of Danny's Reasons when they started up the Vincent Van Gaugh Go
In 1967, Danny's Reasons appeared on Bill Carlson's WCCO television show "This Must Be the Place." That year the group won four 'Connie Awards'. Special thanks to Tom Cousins and the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting for supplying these amazing photos.
Danny Stevens and winners of the Connie Awards.
Danny Stevens won best showman for 6 years and best male rock and rolll vocalist and Danny's Reasons won best show group for 4 years.
The Reasons were one of the only bands at the time in the area that could cross over from teen shows to night clubs to concerts, not being pinned to one style of venue as many of their counterparts were at the time.
At the State Teen Fair (1964) This lineup was seen on WCCO 5 times
Article from the Star Tribune/Minnesota Daily (U of M newpaper)
Star Tribune, Oct 12th, 1966.
At Dayton's downtown fashion shocase.
Jimmy Lawrence, with Danny's Reasons (Voted best R&B singer, 1970)
1960's-70's Connie Award-winning band. Carl Bradley, from Danny's Reasons (voted best Male R&B singer)
1969 Connie's Insider: State Fair issue, this picture was the most talked about picture at the Minnesota State Fair. Over 200,000 people received this issue at the fair that year. The issue packed audiences in for the Danny's Reasons' shows at the fair.
Pioneer Press August 9th, 1972
Continued in publications' page five:
Danny Stevens with Gov. McGovern (while he was running for President of the United States) during a performance of Danny's Reasons that was held at the Minnesota Auditorium. To the left of Danny Stevens is Timothy Kehr, recognized as the nation's #1 record promoter supporting groups from the Twin Cities. Timothy was personally responsible for the success of many of the best known bands of our generation and enabled local artists to achieve national success with musical groups such as Crow, The Trashmen, The Castaways, and of course Danny's Reasons.
Sen. Edward Kennedy and Danny at the Minnesota Auditorium show
ALL STAR MEMBERS OF DANNY'S REASONS
They had their own national hits, and came together to form one powerful group...
DANNY'S REASONS
Current/former members:
Danny Stevens. Carl Bradley. Mick Stevens. James Cross. Richard Washington. Todd Matheson. Richard Hiebler. Steve Fischer. Ed Meddock. Merlin Brunkow.
Hunter Bradley. Colleen Hiebeler. Jimmy Rodriguez. Paul Flum. Bill Franze. Larry McDonough. David "Fuzzy" Garnett. Terry Johnson. Wally Lockhart. Steven Landry. John Northrop. Bruce Jackson. Terry Ferguson. Edward "Rockie" Robbins. Richard Fobes. Jimmy Hill. Bobby landry. Louis Trejo Jr. Bobby Mead. Jimmy Lawrence. Rick Rizzo. Dick Pernah. Joel Gerris. Steve Mauer. Rory Lee. Dan Morgan. David Rodriguez Sr. Ross Ingram. Don Hastings. Jim Granger Sr. Cecil "Ceedy" Van Dusen. Frank Marino. Bob Gonya. Chuck Edwards. Keith Hanratty. Skip Dahlin. Ed Brown. Dik Hedlund. Bradford "Sparky" Bement. Jeff Kartak. Dan Fasching. Steve Cherewan. Andy Howe. Geoff Bouchler. Ron Scott. Gary Dupre. Tom Holter. Dan Thayer. Paul Strickland. Edgar Murphy. Brian Lind. John Garden. Jesse Bradley. Susan Ryan Dupre. Neil Judkins. Jeff Hill. Keith Krupp. Tom Hopps.
Some of the groups Danny's Reasons have played with over the years:
The Rolling Stones
Eric Clapton
Frank Zappa
Village People
Otis Day
Bee Gees
Three Dog Night
Jimi Hendrix
Janis Joplin
The Doors
The Kinks
Country Joe & The Fish
Sly & The Family Stone
Donovan
Santana
Everly Brothers
FOR MORE PHOTOS, SEE PHOTO GALLERY
Danny's Reasons has been respected by their peers and honored with awards by many distinguished organizations throughout their incredible five decades of making memorable music. In 1999, Danny Stevens and the Reasons were given the prestigous honor of being officially recognized by the Grammy's for their contributions to the music and entertainment industry.
We hope you see why Danny's Reasons, for the last five decades, has been the number one rock n' roll and show group from the Midwest
For future bookings and purchases of the authentic Danny's Reasons CD- contact Mickey Stevens
612.723.1300
(C) D. Radford Mason 2010
