The Danberrys

BY MICHAEL VERITY

THE DANBERRYS are the Tennessee-born couple of Dorothy Daniel and Ben DeBerry. A truly independent pair of artists -- who do everything from booking to recording to tour management -- The Danberrys recently released a self-titled album that beautifully blends thoughtful ballads with jubilant foot-stompers. Contributing writer Michael Verity spoke with Ben and Dorothy about how they came to be The Danberrys, what it's like to build a record from the ground up and the secret to writing a great trucker song.

You began playing together when you were in high school. What sort of stuff were you playing back then?

Ben: Well, we were in the same school musical groups -- choirs and stuff -- before we ever played together. Then, toward the end of high school, I learned a couple of songs for Dorothy to sing. One of them was a Jewel song or something like that.

Your connection was more than musical, though. You dated in high school and college, broke up, then got back together and now you're married. Can you describe that moment when you knew you had to be together?

Dorothy: It was about five years after we had gone our separate ways. I had dated someone else and we had just broken up. I decided I needed a big change so I was interviewing for a job in New York City. Ben had just broken up with his girlfriend, whom he'd dated for a long time, when we randomly ran into each other at a bar in Cookeville (Tennessee) at two or three in the morning.

I don't think we'd exchanged more than one or two words over the past five years. The next time we were together, Ben suddenly looked at me and said 'I don't want to be with anybody else, ever.' (Laughs.) And I said,'I don't want to either!' The next day I was driving down the road thinking 'Oh my gosh, I'm going to get in a wreck, I'm so happy.' I was on cloud nine.

How does that story -- your path together and apart and back together again -- inform the music you're making today?

Dorothy: That’s a great question. No one has asked us that before, actually.

Hey, I don't ask the easy questions. Easy questions make for boring interviews.

Ben: Well, a few months before we broke up, I gave Dorothy one of my guitars and taught her a very few things to play. She had been playing the whole time we were apart. And she had written a whole lot of great songs. A lot of them were kind of sad songs, written for acoustic guitar, which was a lot different from the few electric rock type of songs I'd written.

Dorothy: Yeah, a lot of them were about Ben and how much I missed him. (Laughs).

Ben: Well, I really didn't know that at first. (Laughs). Anyway, we started out playing her songs. Then I decided to start writing again, which is a lot of what you hear on our first EP. When The Danberrys got started, Dorothy had a whole hatful of great songs she wanted to play so that's a lot of what you hear on the new album.

Within six months of releasing your first EP, you ended up onstage with Robert Earl Keen at the Ryman. That's not a bad way to get things rolling, is it?

Ben: Yeah, well we put the EP out as a total experiment. It was like: we have these songs, we're here in Nashville, there's 300,000 studios available and players who want to play the stuff so let's see what happens. Then WSM (Radio) found it and liked it and thought we were perfect for that bill. It was quite the honor.

He's not a bad songwriter himself.

Ben: No kidding! And when you see him in a show it really hammers home how great the songs are and how rabid his fans can be.

You recently released your first full length album called, appropriately, The Danberrys. Tell me about the adventure of recording it entirely as a self-produced project.

Dorothy: We called some friends back in our hometown (Dickson, TN) and hooked up a recording room at the Renaissance Center, which is a state of the art facility that hadn't been used in like 10 years. They let us use it in exchange for doing a free concert there. We brought our own engineers, begged and borrowed some equipment we needed and recorded a lot of it live.

When I saw Lyle Lovett play live the first time, I expected him to come out big and brassy. He opened by singing 'Just The Morning' with a string quartet. The quietude of the album's opener, 'Here We Go Round,' reminds me of that experience.

Ben: That was a slight chance we took, especially in this day and age, when everyone wants to grab your attention with louder and faster. Our mandolin player Ethan encouraged us to lead off with that. We tried to arrange the record in different ways but what it came down to was making it more than just a bunch of songs. We wanted to make it a ride you could listen to from beginning to end.

'Blow On Wind' reminds me of 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere.' Do you consider The Band a strong influence on you?

Ben: Most of what I listen to was done before I was born. All the classic folks: Neil Young, The Band, Bob Dylan.

The Godfathers of Americana, as it were.

Ben: Yeah, that's a great way to put it.

My favorite song on the record is 'Come Give It.' It reminds me of my peace, love and hippy days of listening to Stephen Stills during his Manassas period. Can you hear the resemblance?

Ben: Yeah, there's a kind of quirkiness to the Manassas record. Like, are they recording a record or having a party?

Dorothy: That's what we were going for. I wanted it to sound like we were having a party, like everybody was just hanging out. That's the feeling of the sound. It's the feeling of what the lyrics are about that, too. Living in love with everybody.

Ben: That was only the second take of the song. We did it live: guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass and lead vocals. It was kind of magical right from the start.

I tend to favor upbeat songs. I have a 12-year old son who's a pretty impressive musician for his age. He set me straight about 'Big Rig': he said it sounds like Dave Dudley mixed with 70's Top 40.

Ben: That's the first thing he said? That's gnarly. That one was written in the studio. The record needed one more up-tempo song and the clock was ticking. I'd been messing with that riff and remember a record of trucker songs Wilton Wall, our recording engineer, had given me about six months earlier. On the back it had a list of all these trucker terms. I figured since we had a song about a train I'd write a trucker song. I thought I'd make it nonsensical, except that it's not nonsense if you have the key to the terms. I hear from the truckers that the lingo is kosher. (Laughs) So it's not too fraudulent.

If this thing doesn't work out, you can always write trucker songs.

Ben: Exactly.

What's your favorite tune on the record?

Dorothy: Well, that's really hard to say. You know, they're all my babies.

It's like when someone asks me who's my favorite child, right? It depends on which one is in the room at the time.

Dorothy: Yeah, that’s funny. I guess the ones that turned out, surprisingly, exactly as or better than I hoped were 'Come Give It' and 'Golden Wings.' I really love 'Big Rig,' too. But, when all is said and done, I love them all.

Well, that's good news! What's next?

Ben: Another record, man. We got three demos in the can last week. We may be crazy but we're going to try this again. - The Bluegrass Situation

“I was smitten with The Danberrys before their set and I’m more smitten now. There’s a flavor of bluegrass that’s always worked on me, characterized by old world tonalities, polished, modern drive and jazz-smart instrumental work..... I could tell from just a few songs online that the Danberrys are good at this. And their new music -– all from a 24-hour old self-titled album -- sealed the deal.” - Music City Roots - Craig Havighurst

Since the name of this blog is the 615, this week we are shining the light on a duo that marches to somewhat of a different drum beat - the DanBerrys. Comprised of husband and wife Ben and Dorothy DeBerry, the two have been creating quite a buzz within Music City as of late.

Their debut EP has been getting a lot of response for the couple, who admit their musical stylings are a little hard to place neatly in a nice little box. "We've been describing it as an Americana-Folk thing with a World beat. To me, I think it's an acoustic American fusion, because we draw from so many different influences. Dorothy is influenced by soul and blues music. We both share a love of folk music, and I'm a little more influenced by bluegrass, rock, and country. Our players all have similar type influences. To us, it just seems like we are playing music. But, people say that we are doing something that is a little fresh. I think that's because we haven't pinned ourselves to a specific genre."
The two have known each other for years. Ben developed his love of music early, and Dorothy remembers when she noticed something a little different about him.

"When he was in eighth grade, and I was in seventh grade, he played 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' at a talent show. He had this teal electric guitar, and I fell in love him. We didn't even start dating for a few years later, but I never forgot him. I was just infatuated with him because of that."

The two dated through high school, then went their separate ways. But, as fate would have it, a chance meeting at a club in Cookeville, TN reignited the fire between the two -- both personally and musically. Ben said he's much the better for it on both levels, but Dorothy's talent at writing really inspired him.

"When we split up a few years before, she only knew a few chords, but when we got back together, she had developed her own style, and she had some songs she had written. I hadn't really gone in the original direction, as I was still playing other people's songs. She led me in that direction. You can play other people's music all day long, but if you want to express yourself musically, and get other people's attention, you have to do your own thing."

And, that "thing" is a unique musical mix. There's some degree of country in the melting pot, a little bit of Americana, some jazz, and it is all punctuated with the tight harmonies that are quickly becoming known around Nashville as their trademark. You can hear that come to the surface on such cuts as "Hard Times Come And Go" and "Tennessee Central 509."

Ben says they definitely took a hands-on approach to their EP. "We were playing with this local band, and it was just really fun and loose. One of our friends approached us after the show, and he saw something between us. We had just started talking about recording something. With the Internet, it's really easy to put something out there, and get feedback. So, I thought, 'If we record it, we'll know quick if this is something we should pursue.' He said he would love to record us pro bono, and his only stipulation is that we would have to do something with it. We learned a lot, and got a product that we're proud of. We recorded it in a house on old equipment, and we just kind of threw it together. It wasn't what most people would say was the most legit way, but it worked for us."

Dorothy is excited about the comments that they have received regarding their music, as well as their stage show. "There's a comfort level that has been fun. I feel like we're starting to make an impact, making a sound that people are hearing and enjoying it."

The two recently had a chance to open for Robert Earl Keen on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium. "People have been so excited," said Dorothy. "That's one of the things I noticed when we got the Ryman gig. Getting to watch family, friends, and teachers get so excited for us. But, they are having a great time watching us. The favorite thing about playing the Ryman was how much fun they were all having."

And, it seems that's just the beginning. Ben said, "We just feel like we are coming in to our own sound right now. We're getting more solid, a unified sound. I think we're both excited about the future."
- Billboard.com

How would one categorize the music of the Danberrys? There are so many layers to the sound of Ben DeBerry and Dorothy Daniel that one thing is for certain – you can’t place them in a 4 + 4 box. They are much too complex and smart for that.

At times, there is a definite old-school sound to the music of the couple. “Rain In The Rock” features a mountain-style intro, which serves the song very well. “Meet Me There,” the lone outside tune the duo recorded, also has an undeniable Appalachian feel, with a very haunting sound. I was particularly impressed with the lyrics and instrumentation of “Over & Over,” which sounds like something Loretta Lynn might have been inspired by growing up in Eastern Kentucky.

But, it’s not all a retro-ish tip back to the past for the Danberrys. “Here We Go ‘Round” has a very contemporary edge to it, and Daniel’s vocal soars into the heavens on each note. “Come Give It” skates on the other side of the spectrum with an infectious groove that slowly simmers until it’s a raging fire. “Blow On Wind” puts Ben in the spotlight, a place where he excels – with some outstanding harmony from his wife.

Though it would have been nice to see Ben get a few more places to sing lead other than that track and the irreverent “Big Rig,” Daniel shines beautifully on each track. “Jordan” is an absolute highlight here, as is “Annie Wants To Go Home,” and the closing “Golden Wings” which defines the word dramatic.

If the Americana world doesn’t latch on tightly to the Danberrys, there is no justice. The vocals and the harmonies are outstanding, as is the instrumentation all over the disc. I don’t know if you can define it, but all the Danberrys need is to be heard! - MusicNewsNashville.com

WSM Nashville, 650 AM is the radio home for the Grand Ole Opry, which has been broadcast live over the airwaves since its inception in 1925. For their 86th birthday celebration, WSM teamed up with Sonicbids to find some great emerging talent for the festivities. Lucky for Nashville locals, The Danberrys: their music struck a chord with WSM and were chosen to participate in the big celebration. Lucky for me: I got to chat with Ben and Dorothy from The Danberrys and heard all about it.
WSM was celebrating their 86th birthday with promos that ran for 86 days – and you participated in that celebration with an on-air performance, a gig at Tootsie’s and then another The Ryman Auditorium in the same day! Was it exhausting or did the adrenaline kick in for you that day?
Ben: We were feeling great all day. Our day began with an 8:00 A.M. on air interview and performance on the legendary WSM radio station. We are typically not morning people but on this day we were fully awake and energetic for our morning engagement. We did take a nap that afternoon and when we awoke it was time to get to business. The rest of the night was great and I felt that our energy level was right where it needed to be.
Dorothy: My energy level was on eleven for most of the day, which was good because the day was pretty full with an 8:00 A.M. on air interview/performance on WSM and then two gigs later that night. I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep the night before. I just watched in total envy while Ben slept like a baby. Of course, we tried to take a nap after the WSM interview, but my adrenaline kept me awake while Ben just snoozed it up…again! I feel like the combination of no sleep and the adrenaline kept my energy right where it needed to be all day. Ben, of course, was totally cool: right where he needed to be mentally and energetically all day. I don’t know how he does it!
For your gig at the Ryman, you opened for the legendary Robert Earl Keen. What was it like share the stage with him? Did you get any personal interaction with him at all?
Ben: It was a great honor to perform on the same bill as REK. He has a great live show, and he has awesome fans, totally loyal and ready to feed the stage with their energy. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to talk to him. We spent most of our post-gig time at the merch booth meeting new people and hanging out with friends and family who had come to see us. We did try to intercept REK backstage, but we didn’t really want to bother him in his dressing room. We also went to an after-party hosted by his management group hoping to see him, but he wasn’t there. Major bummer on that front, but maybe it will happen one day!
Was there any special significance for you for either of the gigs you played that day?
Dorothy: The Ryman is one of the most historic American venues, and I would say that this is probably a well-known fact. We both were honored beyond words to play in such a historic room. The gravity of that honor had us both a little nervous beforehand, but a calming effect came over us as soon as we walked into the building. The house staff were amazing, generous, supportive, and genuinely kind. The building itself, and especially the stage, had a reassuring aura– like a feeling of unity and comfort–like you were being watched over and championed by an unseen force. Now we totally understand what people mean when they talk about the “spirit” of the Ryman.
Ben: The night had extra special significance for me due to the fact that I had performed at the Ryman as a guitar student in the 90’s. My music instructor held our recitals there every December for a few years, and the concerts were always labeled “Future Stars”. It was surreal to once again enter from stage right and perform in that beloved building. This time, however, it was the real deal and it was an amazing 15 minutes of music. The building is really an instrument in itself. During the chorus of our last tune, you can hear what sounds like a third vocal part on the recording, yet there were only two of us. The night was also extremely special due to the fact that so many of our friends and family were there to cheer us on.
How have those gigs helped you in your career? Did you generate a lot of buzz or get any other special attention or gigs because of that day?
Ben: After playing the Ryman, we have gained the confidence that we can play anywhere. Once you play that stage, most other stages seem to pale in comparison. We have some things currently brewing in our camp, and this opportunity definitely helped solidify our place as professional musicians and songwriters.
If you had the chance to do the day all over again, would you change anything you did or what happened?
Dorothy: Honestly, I think the day went better than we could have ever imagined. There were no hitches of any sort, and both audiences were very receptive and responsive. The whole day was quite magical, and the coolness and professionalism of the people at - Sonicbids

Ben and Dorothy DeBarry are difficult not to like. The two Tennessee natives are quickly making a name for themselves by combining skillfully crafted songs that invoke both old-school country and bluegrass and modern pop/jazz. But their talent alone is not what makes them so likeable. The former high-school sweethearts turned real-life romance couple, embody a tenacity and positivity that is not only catapulting their success, but also serving as an example to others who are interested in following their passions and realizing their dreams. The two delve deeper into the lessons that have served them well, what inspires their music and some of the challenges they have faced along the way.





What age did you start playing music? What was your first instrument?



Ben: Dorothy started singing in church around the age of 12 and I gave her a guitar and taught her how to play it when she was 18. I was always exposed to music through church and through my parents at home. I especially remember hearing ragtime piano tunes being played by my father at an early age. They always got my energy up and going for sure. I began playing the guitar when I was 10 and I just never stopped.



You two teamed up in 2006 as The Danberry's but how did that come about? Did you play together previously?



Dorothy: We are from the same hometown (Dickson, TN) and dated for about four years in high school and college. After five years apart, we ran back into each other on June 14, 2006, and were married exactly four months later. After we got married, we started playing various cover projects, writer’s nights, and bar gigs. We formed The Danberrys in 2010 when we started writing and recording original material.



At what point in your life do you say, "Ok, I'm going to take this leap. I'm going to give it my all and throw caution to the wind to pursue what I love"?



Dorothy: Ben has always been on the musician track. He’s always known that music is his purpose in life and all of his decisions have been based on this knowledge. Before we got married, he taught private music lessons for many years and also made a decent living playing cover gigs in Cookeville, TN. I made “the leap” about a month ago. I’ve been a CPA for about seven years, and I’ve known for a long time now that accounting work is not what I’m supposed to be doing. My worries about bills and retirement funds and all that jazz were holding me back from seeing my true purpose. I just had an epiphany one day. My corporate job was taking up all of my energy and, while I loved the people I was working with, I didn’t enjoy the work and didn’t have much energy left for music. So the next day I quit my job.



What has been your greatest obstacle thus far?



Ben: The greatest challenges are usually mental. However, in Dorothy’s case, it was a physical challenge for many years due to her diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. TOS is a problem very similar to carpal tunnel and other hand/arm/repetitive stress injuries. Some “top doctors” told Dorothy that she probably wouldn’t be able to continue her work or play her guitar again, basically leaving her disabled at the age of 26. Luckily she didn’t accept that answer and through massage therapy, acupuncture, meditation, and super good vibes she healed herself and is now ready to rock.



What or who has been the greatest source of inspiration to your sound?



Dorothy: There really isn’t a way to pin down THE most influential source. The music we’ve listened to, the act of living, sounds from our childhood (for me it was sounds from the country: tractors, katydids, etc.), and other musicians we have come into contact with have all equally contributed to our sound. Our sound is really just a big mesh of everything we have ever listened to and admired.



Who has been your greatest teacher?



Ben: Once again it is hard to just name one but we would have to say: Doc Stone (Ben’s guitar teacher from the age of 10-18), Cindy Freeman (Our high school choir teacher), and all of the wonderful musicians we’ve observed and learned from (too many to call out here). Not to mention life….life experience is the best teacher.



If you were not a musician, what would you be doing?



Ben: Going slowly insane…….Seriously!



If you could only pass on one piece of advice to future generations, what would it be and why?



Dorothy: Getting advice from a trusted source is usually good, but always listen to your intuition. That loving, guiding voice within you will always point you in the right direction. I ignored my inner voice for a long time and by the time I decided to listen, it was screaming at me.



You know that Faces lyric, “I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger”? What is that thing you wish you could have known?



Ben: That your dream is only a dream if you look at it that way. Dreams can be realized. It just takes a stron - Music Fashion Magazine - MF magazine

Ben and Dorothy DeBarry are difficult not to like. The two Tennessee natives are quickly making a name for themselves by combining skillfully crafted songs that invoke both old-school country and bluegrass and modern pop/jazz. But their talent alone is not what makes them so likeable. The former high-school sweethearts turned real-life romance couple, embody a tenacity and positivity that is not only catapulting their success, but also serving as an example to others who are interested in following their passions and realizing their dreams. The two delve deeper into the lessons that have served them well, what inspires their music and some of the challenges they have faced along the way.





What age did you start playing music? What was your first instrument?



Ben: Dorothy started singing in church around the age of 12 and I gave her a guitar and taught her how to play it when she was 18. I was always exposed to music through church and through my parents at home. I especially remember hearing ragtime piano tunes being played by my father at an early age. They always got my energy up and going for sure. I began playing the guitar when I was 10 and I just never stopped.



You two teamed up in 2006 as The Danberry's but how did that come about? Did you play together previously?



Dorothy: We are from the same hometown (Dickson, TN) and dated for about four years in high school and college. After five years apart, we ran back into each other on June 14, 2006, and were married exactly four months later. After we got married, we started playing various cover projects, writer’s nights, and bar gigs. We formed The Danberrys in 2010 when we started writing and recording original material.



At what point in your life do you say, "Ok, I'm going to take this leap. I'm going to give it my all and throw caution to the wind to pursue what I love"?



Dorothy: Ben has always been on the musician track. He’s always known that music is his purpose in life and all of his decisions have been based on this knowledge. Before we got married, he taught private music lessons for many years and also made a decent living playing cover gigs in Cookeville, TN. I made “the leap” about a month ago. I’ve been a CPA for about seven years, and I’ve known for a long time now that accounting work is not what I’m supposed to be doing. My worries about bills and retirement funds and all that jazz were holding me back from seeing my true purpose. I just had an epiphany one day. My corporate job was taking up all of my energy and, while I loved the people I was working with, I didn’t enjoy the work and didn’t have much energy left for music. So the next day I quit my job.



What has been your greatest obstacle thus far?



Ben: The greatest challenges are usually mental. However, in Dorothy’s case, it was a physical challenge for many years due to her diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. TOS is a problem very similar to carpal tunnel and other hand/arm/repetitive stress injuries. Some “top doctors” told Dorothy that she probably wouldn’t be able to continue her work or play her guitar again, basically leaving her disabled at the age of 26. Luckily she didn’t accept that answer and through massage therapy, acupuncture, meditation, and super good vibes she healed herself and is now ready to rock.



What or who has been the greatest source of inspiration to your sound?



Dorothy: There really isn’t a way to pin down THE most influential source. The music we’ve listened to, the act of living, sounds from our childhood (for me it was sounds from the country: tractors, katydids, etc.), and other musicians we have come into contact with have all equally contributed to our sound. Our sound is really just a big mesh of everything we have ever listened to and admired.



Who has been your greatest teacher?



Ben: Once again it is hard to just name one but we would have to say: Doc Stone (Ben’s guitar teacher from the age of 10-18), Cindy Freeman (Our high school choir teacher), and all of the wonderful musicians we’ve observed and learned from (too many to call out here). Not to mention life….life experience is the best teacher.



If you were not a musician, what would you be doing?



Ben: Going slowly insane…….Seriously!



If you could only pass on one piece of advice to future generations, what would it be and why?



Dorothy: Getting advice from a trusted source is usually good, but always listen to your intuition. That loving, guiding voice within you will always point you in the right direction. I ignored my inner voice for a long time and by the time I decided to listen, it was screaming at me.



You know that Faces lyric, “I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger”? What is that thing you wish you could have known?



Ben: That your dream is only a dream if you look at it that way. Dreams can be realized. It just takes a stron - Music Fashion Magazine - MF magazine

Company Store is a four song EP released by the local, up and coming, Nashville group The Danberrys. Their music is a superb blend of bluegrass, old-time country, folk, and a little jazz for flavor. Listeners will know there is something special about The Danberrys from the first notes of the title track, “Company Store.” The tight harmonies, sang by Benn Deberry and Dorothy Daniel, are seamless and reminiscent of the great family harmonies of groups like The Whites, The Carter Family, and Cherryholmes. Their soulful harmonies ooze bluegrass and are drenched in the tradition of Appalachian mountain music. Furthermore, the instrumentation, on the album, is spectacular and supports the lyrics and harmonies well.

The first song on the EP, “Company Store,” has a traditional bluegrass feel and a classic topic, without coming off as cliché or trite. The lyrics tell the story of a man going to work in a coal mine to support his family and afford the necessities of life, from the company store. The song is an up-tempo foot tapper beautifully supported, by an excellent arrangement of fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and dobro. “Hard Times Come and Go,” the second track on the album, changes gears and is a slower song with a quiet beauty found in the mix of the harmonies, mandolin, and lyrics. The sad sounds of the dobro frame the lost and wanton feeling expressed in the lyrics leaving listeners feeling the empty hearted lonesome mood the song seems to effortlessly convey. “Tennesse Central 509,” the final track on the album, is an up-tempo, jazz infused, song that would have Django Reinhardt jumping up and swinging along. It has a little Dave Matthews meets Hank Williams and Bill Monroe flavor that makes this song really stand out.

The Danberrys may be new to the Nashville scene but their music has plenty traditional feel blended with just enough contemporary vibe to make their music seem like a really cool but long lost friend coming back home. The tight harmonies, excellent musicianship, well crafted lyrics, and flawless production, on their first EP Company Store, virtually guarantees that we will hear much more from The Danberrys over the next few years. The one thing missing, from their sound, however, that may add depth and take pressure off the dobro player to provide fills, at various points in the songs, would be the lack of a banjo in the mix. Furthermore, while the harmonies are extremely tight and well done, some vocal solos, in the verses, would set up powerful moments, in a song, when the voices came back together for the chorus. The Danberrys, nevertheless, have debuted with a splendid collection of songs that showcase the exceptional talents of all those involved in the making of this album. For more information on The Danberrys, or to listen to a sample of their music, visit www.reverbnation.com/thedanberrys. Remember, if you liked this review and want to read more click the subscribe tab, on this page, and as always White Bluff, Nashville, and the rest of Middle Tennessee keep reading, keep it real, and keep it country.


- Larry Vanderpool