BanjerDan: Musician/Entertainer/Storyteller/Teacher
About BanjerDan
About BanjerDan
BanjerDan (Dan Mazer) is a banjo player/multi-instrumentalist based in Santa Cruz, CA. His music is an Americana mix, rooted in straight-ahead Bluegrass and branching out to include folk, country, blues, oldies, and children's music. Available for Performances, Workshops, Lessons and Children's Music and Private Parties.
BIO
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
(All shows are BanjerDan solo unless otherwise noted.)
Thursday, 5/22/25, 7:00 PM
The Penngrove Pub, 10005 Main St., Penngrove, CA 94951; 707-992-0121 • http://thepenngrovepub.com/
“The Penngrove Pub is the friendliest and most welcoming place to have a drink and hear some great music in Sonoma County. Pull up a stool, listen to some quality local musicians and enjoy yourself.”
Saturday, 5/24/2025, 7:00 PM
Eric Burman’s Brookdale Bluegrass Band at The Pick and Gather, Riverdance Farms, Livingston, CA
Thursday, 5/29/25, 7:00 PM
I'll be playing banjo for the "Java Jam" at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company!
The Java Jam is an invitational jam session that takes place at Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company every Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Both amateur and professional Bluegrass musicians submit their names and respective instruments, and an algorithm puts together a different “band” each week!
The lineup for May 29th is:
Guitar: Yvonne Walbroehl
Banjo: Dan Mazer (BanjerDan)
Mandolin: TBA
Fiddle: Gail Reese
Bass: Deirdre Donovan
To learn more about the “Java Jam” and other invitational Bluegrass events in the Bay Area, check out: http://jambot.org/
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, 101 W. Main St., Los Gatos, CA 95030; (408) 354-3263 • lgcrc.com/
"LOS GATOS COFFEE ROASTING COMPANY has been specializing in sourcing and roasting the finest coffees of the world since its inception in 1982. Additionally, the coffeehouse is known as the central gathering place for locals to enjoy coffee, conversation and camaraderie.
"As an independent craft roaster pioneering in the specialty coffee industry, Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company is known for setting high-quality standards with its award-winning coffees. In addition, the coffeehouse features award winning local mountain wines, craft beers and live music and entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 7pm to 9pm."
Saturday, 5/31/25, 5:00 PM
Private event, Santa Cruz, CA.
Sunday, 6/1/25, 9:00 AM
Oakridge Farmers’ Market, San Jose, CA
"Formerly known as the Blossom Hill Farmers' Market, Farmers' Market at Westfield Oakridge has served the Blossom Hill neighborhood for 17 years, from 9am –1pm, Year-round. With over 40 growers and food producers at peak season, this community market hosts many local Santa Clara growers’ bountiful harvest. This year several local organic growers joined the farmers' market. The market has public transportation access."
Westfield Oakridge Mall, 925 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose, CA 95123-1294; 408.578.2912 • cafarmersmkts.com/farmers-market-westfield-oakridge/
Wednesday, 6/4/25, 6:00 PM
Legends Bourbon & Cigar Garden, 7900 Downing Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93308; (661) 218-9789 • instagram.com/legends_event_center/
“Welcome to Legends!
Bar & Grill / Bourbon & Cigar Lounge / Event Center / Wedding Venue”
Thursday, 6/5/25, 6:00 PM
The WOODS Dispensary, 8271 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hollywood, CA 90046; (844) 484-3966 • thewoodsweho.com/ • https://instagram.com/thewoodsweho/
“Woody Harrelson’s new cannabis dispensary, theWOODSweho, is now open in the heart of West Hollywood.”
Friday, 6/6/25, 8:00 PM
The Fret House, 309 N. Citrus Ave. Covina, CA 91723; 626-339-7020 • frethouse.com/
Tickets: $20.00 / https://frethouse.com/collections/concert-tickets/
“From the outset, The Fret House has maintained the resolve to be the best brick-and-mortar, hometown music store it can possible be. Offering much more than fretted instruments, The Fret House is also home to an intimate concert venue which has seen great performances by legendary artists such as Merle Travis, Dick Dale, Muriel Anderson, Andrew York, The L.A. Guitar Quartet, Elizabeth Cotten, John Jorgenson, Ed Gerhard, Laurence Juber and many others, not to mention having one of the longest running Open Mic nights in Los Angeles County on the first Saturday of each month since the fall of 1969.”
Saturday, 6/7/25, 8:00 PM
De Oro Mine Company, 9924 Campo Rd., Casa De Oro, CA 91977; 619-741-8198, deoromineco.com/
“Neighborhood tavern offering live entertainment, karaoke, and pool tables, plus beer, wine, and cocktails.”'
Sunday, 6/8/25, 2:30 PM
Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 S. 7th St., Santa Paula CA 93060; (805) 525-4645 • santapaulatheatercenter. org/
Tuesday, 6/17/25, 7:00 PM ($20.00 suggested donation)
Healthy Hippie Trading Co., 20418 Brian Way #2, Golden Hills, CA 93561-8764; (661) 822-9797 • facebook.com/healthyhippetrading/
“Clothing, Crystals, Candles, Books, Teas and Community Events! We offer a space for fun Hippie Happenings like Soundbaths, Paint Nights, Drum Circles, Singles Mixers, Workshops, Meditations and Celebrations!”
Wednesday, 6/18/25, 5:00 PM
Frontier Family Fun, 730 Historic Route 66, Williams, AZ 86046; (928) 212-1352 • frontierfamilyfun.com/ • facebook.com/frontierfamilyfun/ • instagram.com/frontierfamilyfun/
“Saddle up, y'all! Frontier Family Fun ain't just BBQ—it's a rootin' tootin' good time! Chow down on our full menu, sip on local brews from Historic Brewing Company, and sample Arizona wine from Grand Canyon Wine Company. Whether you're inside or out in the beer garden, there's plenty to enjoy. And for extra fun, try gem mining, our shooting gallery, or a round of cornhole! So come on down and let's have a grand ole time!”
Thursday, 6/19/25, 7:00 PM
The County Line, 9600 Tramway Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122; (505) 856-7477 • countyline.com/albuquerque_nm/
“Located just two minutes from the Sandia Peak Tram this beautiful southwestern roadhouse will make you feel like you're back on the old Route 66. Tucked right up against the incredible Sandia Mountains, you'll really enjoy the city lights view from the main dining room.”
Friday, 6/20/25, 7:00 PM
Old Tascosa Brewing Company, 3100 SW 6th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79106; 806-681-4050 • otbrewco.com/
"We are a family-friendly brewery and taproom in the heart of the Route 66 Historic District of Amarillo, Texas. Our name draws on the legacy of one of the first settlements in the region, and our vibe embraces the Old West as well as the adventure of the Open Road.”
Saturday, 6/21/25, 6:00 PM
The Big Country Beer Garden, 806 S. 2nd St., Abilene, TX 79602; 325-704-3181 • bigcountrybeergarden.com/ • facebook.com/bigcountrybeergarden/
“Welcome to The Big Country Beer Garden, a locally owned and operated gem right here in Abilene, Texas! We've created a unique indoor/outdoor space where you can enjoy the best of all worlds: a scratch kitchen serving up mouthwatering dishes, an extensive and ever-evolving selection of craft, domestic, and import beers, and a full bar crafting delicious cocktails alongside a carefully curated wine list. And to top it all off, our stage is always buzzing with a fantastic lineup of live music and special events, brought to you through Big Country Live.”
Sunday, 6/22/25, 7:00 PM
Craft & Growler Brewing Company, Exposition Park, 3601 Parry Ave., Dallas, TX 75226; 214-821-1122 • craftandgrowler.com/
prekindle.com/event/48453-banjerdan-live-at-craft-and-growler-dallas/
“The first growler shop in Dallas is now home of C&G Brewing! Drop in for a pint and a good time!”
Wednesday, 6/25/25, 10:00 PM (with Tanner Scott)
I’m happy to return to the Soundpony, eleven years after my debut! Also on the bill is my old buddy and great singer-songwriter, Tanner Scott!
https://soundcloud.com/tanner-scott-13/
The Soundpony Bar, 409 N. Main St., Tulsa, OK 74103; 918-582-PONY • thesoundpony.com/
“Sweet little Dive bar in the heart of the Tulsa Arts District.”
Friday, 6/27/25, 5:30 PM
The Standard, 315 E. Gray St., Norman, OK 73069; (405) 999-0430 • thestandardnorman.com/
“Located just minutes from the University of Oklahoma main campus in the historic Coca-Cola bottling distribution plant in Downtown Norman, Oklahoma, The Standard is where history meets hospitality. Our restaurant and beer garden offer a unique blend of Oklahoma-style flavors and a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for every occasion.”
Saturday, 6/28/25, 6:00 PM
The Treehouse Lounge, 2142 N. Sports Complex Ln. Suite A, Nixa, MO 65714; (417) 708-2836 • treehousemo.com/ • facebook.com/thetreehousemo/ • instagram.com/thetreehousemo/
“It is The Treehouse Lounge’s mission to offer our members safe, educational, and enjoyable experiences to try cannabis industry equipment, devices, and products. This means wellness, duration and entertainment based events where patients can safely consume cannabis in a social setting.”
Thursday, 7/3/25, 7:00 PM
Lucky Penny Living Room Concert, 313 Shepherd Street NW, Washington, DC 20011; 202 321-6160 • luckypennylivingroom.com/ • facebook.com/groups/149210405768343/
Friday, 7/4/25, 5:30 PM
Hank Dietle’s Tavern, 11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852; 240-512-3077 • hankdietles.net/
“Hank Dietle’s Tavern opened In 1950, in the Offutt’s General Store building dating to 1916. Being the first bar to reopen after prohibition, it had the honor of receiving Montgomery County’s beer and wine license #001. Customers still come in and reminisce about the good old days at Dietle’s. A classic dive bar in every sense of the word, Hank Dietle’s Tavern became a community mainstay on Rockville Pike, where generations of people had their first beer or stopped in for a six-pack to go on the way home.”
Sunday, 7/6/25, 2:00 PM
Ploughman Cider Tasting Room, 14 Lincoln Square Gettysburg, PA 17325; (717) 420-2524 • ploughmancider.com/
“Telling the story of Adams County agriculture one glass at a time. Also hosting live, original music!”
Wednesday, 7/9/25, 8:30 PM
“BanjerDan’s DangerBand” at Nick-A-Nees, Providence, RI (with Jeffrey Horton, bass/Zeke Griffin, mandolin/Bill Henry, guitar)
I’ve assembled some of the best Bluegrass pickers in Rhode Island for this show at the legendary “Bluegrass Throedown” at Nic-A-Nees in downtown Providence!
Bill Henry
Bill Henry is an extremely accomplished guitarist, playing with New England’s Northern Lights for 28 years. He recorded 10 “albums” along the way, including a live album titled Three August Nights with Vassar Clements. He also recorded his own solo CD Red Sky in 2002. Vassar was a guest on that CD, as well as Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Jonathan Edwards and some of the members of Northern Lights.
Jeff Horton
Jeff Horton has played with top New England bluegrass bands, starting with The Neon Valley Boys and Northern Lights. Jeffrey was inducted into the RI Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2018 and in 2023, The Neon Valley Boys were the first band to be inducted, making Jeff a two-timer. Jeff currently plays with Wide Open Spaces, The Jamblers, and The Jeff Horton Band. Widely known for his vocal range and ability, he has been teaching harmony, vocals, and bass for 20+ years at the Greyfox, Podunk, and Joe Val festivals.
Zeke Griffin
A recent transplant from Nevada, Zeke Griffin has played with many touring and regional bands out west, in many styles and genres. He also has been a guest player on over a dozen other artist’s albums & projects. A wall known luthier, he built over a 100 instruments and restored countless others. He plays mandolin in the BanjerDan band, but plays also mandola, Mando-cello & octave, along with guitar (both 6 string & resophonic) and teaches locally in Bristol.
Nick-A-Nees, 75 South St, Providence, RI 02903-4742; (401) 861-7290 • facebook.com/nickanees/
“Free live music, a jukebox & pool table draw fans to this classic, dog-friendly bar with a patio. 'Bluegrass Throedown' every Wednesday night!”
Friday, 7/11/25, 6:00 PM
Big Day Brewing, 20 Glen Rd., Gorham, NH 03581; (603) 915-9006 • bigdaybrewing.com/
“Big Day Brewing -- Beer + Food + Trails + Music + Art in downtown Gorham, New Hampshire”
Sunday, 7/13/25, 4:00 PM
Finn’s Craft Beer Tap House, 16 Barnstable Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601; (508) 534-9756 • finnscraftbeertaphouse.com/
“Welcome to Finn’s Craft Beer Tap House! Family owned and operated, the ultimate destination for craft beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. Located in the heart of Hyannis on Cape Cod, Finn’s offers a unique and unparalleled taproom experience with 32 Rotating Taps. Sit and relax with family and friends and take in some of our weekly events and live music from some of the best local artists the Cape has to offer. Come make 'POUR' decisions with us.”
Wednesday, 7/16/25, 9:15 PM
Nietzsche’s, Buffalo, NY (with Average Joey)
“Average Joey is a traveling troubadour from Pennsylvania. With a banjo in one hand and a pen in the other, this artist combines poetry and philosophical thought with a sampling of genres. From quotes from French kings to name-drops of ancient Greek philosophers and reminders of death, there’s certainly a lot to unpack here.”
Average Joey: facebook.com/AverageBanjoey
Nietzsche’s, 248 Allen St., Buffalo, NY 14202; (716) 768-8927 • nietzsches.com/
“Since 1982, Nietzsches has been a staple of the Western NY music scene. With live music every single night, the heartbeat of Buffalo can always be heard at 248 Allen Street.
“Nietzsche’s is one of Buffalo’s truly legendary venues—not only because it is a home for many local musicians, but also because of its welcoming reputation among international, national, and regional touring acts. We also pride ourselves on our storied history as a jumping-off point for many musicians.”
7/17-20/25
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival!
Friday, 7/18/25, 6:00 PM
Roe Jan Brewing Co., 32 Anthony St, Hillsdale, NY 12529; 518-303-8080 • roejanbrewing.com/
"Our brewery and brewpub are located in an award-winning, lovingly restored mercantile building that dates to 1850. Our beautiful dining room features an open kitchen and an octagonal bar surrounding an antique grain hopper. Our brewery produces a rotating lineup of well-balanced beers, including traditional ales and lagers as well as trending styles such as IPAs and sours. Our restaurant menu features a variety of tasty sandwiches, flatbreads, salads and shares, with plenty of options for those with vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets."
Monday, 7/21/25, 7:00 PM
AMP Concerts LLC presents: BanjerDan at The Golden Road, Toledo, OH!
The Golden Road, 3560 Dorr St., Toledo, OH 43607; (419) 720-3323 • facebook.com/goldenroadtoledo/
“AMP Concerts is producing cutting edge/mind bending events & shows right here in the 419 for you beautiful people we share this home with.”
Tuesday, 7/22/25, 6:00 PM
“Musician Spotlight” at Sidecar Supper Club
Sidecar Supper Club and Beer Garden, 12 N. River St., Batavia, IL 60510; 630-406-9200 • sidecarsupperclub.com
“The Sidecar takes you on culinary adventures for the taste buds and musical adventures for the soul. Our cozy neighborhood eatery and music venue located in the heart of Historic Downtown Batavia is a peaceful respite in between all the ventures great and day to day.”
Wednesday, 7/23/25, 8:00 PM
Byron’s, 111 S Ontario St, Pomeroy, IA 50575; 712-468-2372 • byrons-bar.com/
“Byron's is a typical small town bar. NOT. A tribute to the Grateful Dead, Byron's is unlike any bar you have ever been. Tie Dye and Grateful Dead memorabilia everywhere. LIVE music from all over the World entertains you. Stop in anytime.”
Friday, 7/25/25, 7:00 PM (with special guest: King Orchard!
The Ruffed Up Duck Saloon, 310 S. 5th St., Laramie, WY 82070; (307) 745-5501 • https://facebook.com/Ruffed-Up-Duck-Saloon-167533679978111/
King Orchard
facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573184274967/ • instagram.com/kingorchardmusic/
“Lover of Waffle House, maker of music, and collector of ole timey shit.”
Friday, 8/22/25, 2:30 PM
Mountain Market on Summit Road, 23845 Summit Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95033
“Join us for fresh & local food, art, & more every Friday from May to October, 2:30pm-6:30pm!”
https://facebook.com/.../Mountain-Market-on-Summit-Rd.../
https://instagram.com/mountain_market_/
Friday, 9/5/25, 8:00 PM (with A Banjo Makes 3)
The Wave Lounge presents an evening of “hot pickin’, heartfelt songs, and humorous commentary” by BanjerDan, with special guests: A Banjo Makes 3!
A Banjo Makes 3
“Group of rag-tag misfits, plucking and picking their way with Bluegrass as their weapon of choice.”
https://facebook.com/ABanjoMakes3/
Wave Lounge, Blue Lake Casino, 777 Casino Way, Blue Lake, CA 95525; (877) 252-2946 • bluelakecasino.com/
“Located just five miles east of Arcata, California, and just seconds off Highway 299, Blue Lake Casino Hotel is easy to find and centrally located in Humboldt County on California's world renowned Redwood Coast! Located in the center of the casino, Wave Lounge is a unique venue that blends the sophistication and class of a night club with the relaxed atmosphere of a local bar.”
Friday, 10/3/25, 2:30 PM
Mountain Market on Summit Road, 23845 Summit Rd., Los Gatos, CA 95033
“Join us for fresh & local food, art, & more every Friday from May to October, 2:30pm-6:30pm!”
https://facebook.com/.../Mountain-Market-on-Summit-Rd.../
https://instagram.com/mountain_market_/
Saturday, 10/25/25, 9:00 AM
Saratoga Farmers’ Market (BanjerDan solo)
Saratoga Farmers’ Market, West Valley College, Parking Lot 3, Fruitvale Ave & Career Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
“Held at West Valley Community College, the Saratoga Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County year-round in the parking lot.”
http://cafarmersmkts.com/saratoga-farmers-market/
Saturday, 11/1/2025, 9:00 AM
The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers at The Saratoga Farmers’ Market, Saratoga, CA (BanjerDan on mandolin)!
The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers are Robert and Suzanne Cornelius on banjo and bass, with guitarist Alex Mayers and a rotating cast of hot pickers on mandolin and fiddle. Throughout it all they feature fun and spontaneous performances of high-energy Bluegrass and beyond. Requests, audience participation, dancing, joy, laughter, and even tears. Y'all come!”
https://facebook.com/wildcatmountainramblers/
https://facebook.com/wildcatmountainramblers/
Saratoga Farmers’ Market, West Valley College, Parking Lot 3, Fruitvale Ave & Career Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
“Held at West Valley Community College, the Saratoga Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County year-round in the parking lot.”
http://cafarmersmkts.com/saratoga-farmers-market/
Sunday 11/23/25, 9:00 AM
Los Gatos Certified Farmers' Market (BanjerDan solo)
Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market, Town Park Plaza, Main Street & N. Los Gatos Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95033
“Held in Downtown Los Gatos at the Town Park Plaza on Main Street & N. Santa Cruz Avenue, the Los Gatos Certified Farmers’ Market offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from Santa Clara County year-round.”
http://cafarmersmkts.com/losgatos-farmers-market/
12/20/25, 9:00 AM
Morgan Hill Farmers’ Market, Morgan Hill, CA (BanjerDan solo)
BanjerDan (Dan Mazer) brings his banjo to the Morgan Hill Farmers' Market on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, at 9:00 PM. for a fun-filled day of"Music for Children and Other Young People!"
http://cafarmersmkts.com/morgan-hill-farmers-market/
Sunday, 12/21/25, 9:00 AM
Mountain View Farmers’ Market, Mountain View, CA (BanjerDan solo)
Mountain View Caltrain Station, 600 West Evelyn Ave., Mountain View, CA 94041
https://cafarmersmkts.com/mountain-view-farmers-market/
BANJERDAN'S BIO
BanjerDan (Dan Mazer) is a banjo player/multi-instrumentalist based in Santa Cruz County, CA. His music is an Americana mix, rooted in straight-ahead bluegrass and branching out to include folk, country, blues, oldies, and other styles.
Dan was born in Summit, NJ, in 1959, and grew up in the Washington, DC area. He began playing the banjo after his brother received one as a birthday present when “Dueling Banjos” was a radio hit. They took some lessons for at a local music store, and used “Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo” as their textbook. Dan’s passion for the banjo soon outstripped his brother’s, and he continued learning his craft during the DC area’s heyday as the “Bluegrass Capital of the World.” and earned a B.A. in Music Theory from George Washington University. His main banjo influences were Earl Scruggs, Ben Eldridge, Eddie Adcock, Alan Munde, and Bela Fleck.
Dan’s first performance was at a Junior High School talent show. His first working band, with a high school friend, was called “No Strings Attached,” from about 1977 to 1981. His first theatrical appearance was in the onstage band for a production of “The Robber Bridegroom” at Silver Spring Stage, Silver Spring, MD, in 1979, His first professional gig was at King’s Dominion, a theme park near Richmond, VA, where he was in the band for a country revue.
During the mid-1980s, Dan was a member of “D.J. & the C.B. Pickers,” a traditional bluegrass band based in Fairfield, PA. During that time, he had the honor of performing with Baltimore bluegrass legend, Buzz Busby, on a Maryland Public Television program. He left the C.B. Pickers in 1988 to join “Rockcreek,” a progressive group fronted by vocalist Moondi Klein. Rockcreek won the Band Contest at the prestigious Winterhawk Bluegrass Fesrival (now called Grey Fox) in 1990.
After Rockcreek broke up in 1991, Dan and his wife moved to Nashville, where she had a graphic design business while he pursued his music career. During his time in Nashville, Dan was hired by Opryland, USA, first as a strolling solo performer in one of their restaurants, and then playing banjo and guitar in their signature “Country Music, USA” show. He was in the band for productions of “Pump Boys & Dinettes” and “The Robber Bridegroom,” and spent two winters as a band member for the country revue at The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, WI. At the same time, Dan hung out at the famous Station Inn on 12th Avenue, and eventually got booked there as leader of “The Guys in the Suits and Ties,” an improvisatory bluegrass band which included Randy Howard on fiddle, Ronnie McCoury on mandolin, Roy Huskey, Jr., Missy Raines, or Ernie Sykes on bass, and Greg Garing on guitar, among many others, depending on who was in town.
In 1994, Dan answered an ad on an AOL bulletin board, titled “Wanted: Banjo Player, Singer, Actor.” The reply led to an audition, and Dan was hired by “The Jackstraws,” a costumed, themed folk music act based in San Diego. The Jackstraws performed constantly, all over Southern California, in many configurations, but they were most consistently booked as “The Pirate Landing Party” at SeaWorld and Seaport Village, and as “The Safari Bush Band” at the world-famous San Diego Zoo.
After his divorce in 1999, Dan moved back to the D.C. area. He played everywhere he could, from busking in Metro stations to performances at the Fringe Festival and the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. He was also a member of “J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters,” an outlaw honky-tonk trio that opened for Hank Williams III, toured coast-to-coast and in Europe, and recorded two CDs.
In January 2012, fed up with the cold winters and big-city lifestyle in Washington, DC, Dan moved back to California, this time to the Central Coast of California. He quickly established himself as a regular performer all over San Luis Obispo County and beyond, and he was the “House Musician” and music booker at The Last Stage West (on Highway 41 between Atascadero and Morro Bay) from 2013 until 2018. In 2017, Dan played banjo in the Palo Alto Players' well-received production of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's musical drama, "Bright Star."
In October 2020, Dan moved from Atascadero to the Santa Cruz mountains, near Los Gatos, California, and again became immediately involved in the Bay Area's thriving Bluegrass music scene. In addition to solo shows ranging from Marin County in the north to Carmel Valley in the South, he became an adjunct member of one of the busiest and well-respected bands in the area, "The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers," playing mandolin, and as the banjo and dobro player in Eric Burman's "Brookdale Bluegrass Band." He also played banjo in a production of "The Robber Bridegroom" at The Mountain Community Theater in Ben Lomond, California.
In 2021, on the advice of friends, Dan began hitting the road on a more regular basis. He has traveled coast-to-coast almost every Summer since then. Those tours have taken him from California to New England and back, and he makes several other trips ever year, on shorter stints ranging from Southern California through Texas, and up to the Pacific Northwest. As part of his cross-country tours, Dan re-established himself as a regular performer on the Family Stage at the prestigious Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, near Albany, New York.
In the Autumn of 2024, Dan was honored by an invitation to perform at "Nightfall at Filoli", held at the beautiful historic Filoli Mansion and Gardens, near Woodside, California. As of December 2024, Dan is also a regular performer for "Holidays at Filoli", and plans to return for the Nightfall event in 2025. Also planned for 2025, Dan has been invited to showcase at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show in Anaheim, and he's currently booking shows for his Pacific Northwest tour in late February/early March tour, and another coast-to-coast trip in Summer 2025.