Dane Donohue

Dane Donohue is an American singer and songwriter who made a 1978 self-titled album on Columbia, since touted in West Coast AOR circles for the tracks “Tracy,” “Freedom,” and “Casablanca.”

Background

Dane Donohue was born Daryl Dane Donohue on August 30, 1948, in Mansfield, Ohio. His father, Sylvan Donohue, performed as a Nashville country singer before he established a construction business in Mansfield. Dane took up guitar at fifteen during a bout of rheumatic fever and learned songs by The Beatles. In 1966, he formed The Britains with high-school friends.

Donohue attended Ohio State University and partnered with singer Jeff Fenholt in the duo Jeff & Dane. They performed at the Gallery Restaurant and Lounge in Columbus and received an invitation to join a touring production of Hair. Donohue remained at college to complete his studies. After graduation, he auditioned for the National Rock Opera production of Jesus Christ Superstar and secured the lead role. His Ohio associates Andrew Smith and David Getreau joined the touring ensemble, which performed across the United States and Europe.

After the tour, Donohue returned to Ohio for club engagements and worked on original songs with Getreau and songwriter Mark Fisher. In 1975, he auditioned in New York for the Broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar and attracted the attention of Leber-Krebs, the management company behind Aerosmith. The firm secured a Columbia contract and linked Donohue with producer Elliot Mazer.

Mazer produced the April 1976 Columbia single “I’m Easy” (b/w “Restless Feeling”), a cover of the Keith Carradine song from the film Nashville. Donohue continued with Mazer at His Master’s Wheels in San Francisco, where the sessions involved bassist Rick Danko, drummer Denny Seiwell, and pianist Nicky Hopkins. The two disagreed over the arrangements, and Donohue abandoned the proposed album. He retained only “What Am I Supposed to Do” from the Mazer sessions.

Leber-Krebs representative Kevin McShane recruited producer Terence Boylan for a new album project. Boylan enlisted keyboardist-arranger Jai Winding and assembled a Los Angeles session group. Donohue retained Getreau and Fisher as songwriting partners and brought Columbus musicians Jeff D’Angelo and Andy Smith into the sessions. The project also attracted singers John David Souther, Don Henley, and Stevie Nicks. Boylan began work at Westlake Audio in Los Angeles, with further sessions in New York and contributions from producers John Boylan, Jai Winding, and engineer Steve Hodge. The musicians completed the 1978 Columbia debut Dane Donohue.

Discography:

• Dane Donohue (1978)

References and notes

• Keith Barry — Narratively, March 25, 2021. Extensive Donohue interviews establish his upbringing, the Britains, Ohio State, theater work, and Columbia contract. (Biographical feature)
• Michael Kontras — 2019 recollections. Firsthand account confirms the 1970 Jeff & Dane partnership and Gallery engagements in Columbus. (Personal history)
• Goldmine — Daniel Coston, 2024. Donohue details the Mazer sessions, Getreau–Fisher partnership, Kevin McShane contact, and Boylan production. (Interview)
• Record World — April 17, 1976. Contemporary single coverage confirms “I’m Easy” as the Columbia debut under producer Elliot Mazer. (Single Picks, p. 16)
• 45cat — Dane Donohue singles. Confirms the April 1976 Columbia release and its B-side, “Restless Feeling.” (Singles discography)
• Sessiondays — Dane Donohue (1978). Original LP credits establish the songwriting partnerships, session personnel, recording studios, and production assignments. (Album credits)
• Dane Donohue — Official website. Confirms the August 22, 1978, Columbia release and principal guest musicians. (Artist discography)