Casting Spells
Naperville, Illinois, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Pulse of Naperville
Music Scene
by Scott "Dr. Music" Itter
NCHS counselor casts musical spells
Since December of 2004, Danny Ames has been guiding our
Naperville Central High School students down the brightest paths
of success as a dedicated counselor. As a parent, Danny Ames is
someone I appreciate having in the community. But imparting
valuable advice to our youngsters is only one facet of this man.
Danny Ames is a singer/songwriter with a long history of public
performance experience.
Ames started by taking piano lessons at the age of 6, playing
competitively by the age of 9. He was also active in theater, and by
the age of 12 he found his passion for the guitar. Having attended
the Musicians Institute, and later earning an English degree from
DePaul University, Ames developed a love for writing poetry as
well as song lyrics. He went on to pursue his degree in counseling,
along with a successful music project called Casting Spells.
Ames now records all of his music from his bedroom and markets
it through his website, www.castingspellsmusic.com; offering
many of his well crafted songs free of charge. His songs, along with
having pumped up electronic beats in places, shine with diverse
influences like Pink Floyd (“One Road”) and Ministry (“Screaming
To Be Heard”) as well. And, because of his English degree and his
penchant for writing poetry, he has written songs that are lyrically
rich and thought-provoking.
I would like to thank Danny Ames not only for his music, but
also for his dedication to our children. All of his work is greatly
appreciated.
Scott Itter is a 4-year resident of Naperville who resides in the
Willowgate subdivision with his wife, Barbara, and their two children.
Contact Scott at Doc@DrMusic.org or visit www.DrMusic.org. - Positively Naperville
Pulse of Naperville
Music Scene
by Scott "Dr. Music" Itter
NCHS counselor casts musical spells
Since December of 2004, Danny Ames has been guiding our
Naperville Central High School students down the brightest paths
of success as a dedicated counselor. As a parent, Danny Ames is
someone I appreciate having in the community. But imparting
valuable advice to our youngsters is only one facet of this man.
Danny Ames is a singer/songwriter with a long history of public
performance experience.
Ames started by taking piano lessons at the age of 6, playing
competitively by the age of 9. He was also active in theater, and by
the age of 12 he found his passion for the guitar. Having attended
the Musicians Institute, and later earning an English degree from
DePaul University, Ames developed a love for writing poetry as
well as song lyrics. He went on to pursue his degree in counseling,
along with a successful music project called Casting Spells.
Ames now records all of his music from his bedroom and markets
it through his website, www.castingspellsmusic.com; offering
many of his well crafted songs free of charge. His songs, along with
having pumped up electronic beats in places, shine with diverse
influences like Pink Floyd (“One Road”) and Ministry (“Screaming
To Be Heard”) as well. And, because of his English degree and his
penchant for writing poetry, he has written songs that are lyrically
rich and thought-provoking.
I would like to thank Danny Ames not only for his music, but
also for his dedication to our children. All of his work is greatly
appreciated.
Scott Itter is a 4-year resident of Naperville who resides in the
Willowgate subdivision with his wife, Barbara, and their two children.
Contact Scott at Doc@DrMusic.org or visit www.DrMusic.org. - Positively Naperville
Discography
Casting Spells CD made available June 2009
Photos
Bio
Performances range from solo acoustic to a 3 piece band. Casting Spells is based about 20 miles west of Chicago
Main influences include but are definitely not limited to the following:
Paul Simon
Pink Floyd
Led Zeppelin
The Beatles
Grateful Dead
Shpongle
Michael Hedges
The Bee Gees'
Judas Priest
Keller Williams
Styx
Nine Inch Nails
Joe Satriani
The Allman Brothers Band
Earth Wind & Fire
Black Sabbath
Michael Jackson
Danny Ames first began taking piano lessons when he was 6 years old, and by the age of 9 he was performing piano recitals in local competitions. Danny was also active in the Apple Tree Theater group, often performing lead roles in musicals throughout the Greater Chicago area. Writing and performing music has been his greatest passion ever since.
At the age of 12 Danny decided he wanted to learn the guitar, and within months he was figuring out how to play songs simply by hearing them. Danny spent the next several years practicing the guitar until his fingers bled, while also continuing to play the piano and sing. He attended the Musicians Institute in 1991, and then obtained an English degree from DePaul University. It was during this time that he developed a love for writing lyrics and poetry. He went on to pursue a degree in counseling, and has worked as a high school counselor for the past three years.
Danny has lived in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Texas, and Utah. His music draws inspiration from rivers, fields, mountaintops, and far away shores.
Danny is currently focusing his energy on acoustic performance and establishing an intimate connection with his listeners. He has played throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area for the past 15 years in projects that featured rock, blues, jazz, new wave, industrial, metal, folk, and bluegrass. Working with Casting Spells allows Danny the freedom to explore multiple forms of musical expression that passionately reflect all ranges of emotion. He has played in the bands: People of Tomorrow (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Tribal Crossing (guitar, vocals), and Mr. Hand (guitar, vocals). For all three bands he was the primary songwriter and producer.
Band Members
Links
