The Dann Huff Page

Guitar Player Magazine 1999

Completely un-official, of course, but I was glad to hear that Dann has visited... and liked it!.

December 2002 -- A coworker said he spotted Dann on stage for a Faith Hill special recently on TV. I missed it. Guess I'll have to watch for re-runs.

---------------

On February 4th of 2001, my family and I had the opportunity to see Michael W. Smith in concert at nearby Orlando, FL. The concert was fantastic featuring just MW on guitar and keys... but the real treat came afterward when I visited the Baptist Bible Bookstore for a question and answer session. It was my daughter Rachel, and not mine, who's raised hand was picked first.

"Do you have a question?" Michael asked, looking her straight in the eye in the front row.
"No," says Rachel, "But my Daddy does."
"Where's your Daddy?"
"He's right back there," she says, pointing me out a couple of rows back.
Michael looks at me and says, "You have a sweet daughter."
"Oh, I know it," I replied to the laughter of the crowd around me.
I briefly told him about my web page and asked for any input / and or memorable incidents regarding the guitar players he's worked with, particularly Dann Huff and Jerry McPherson (I should have mentioned Phil Keaggy too, but in the moment, I forgot. Sorry Phil.)

"In my opinion," Michael replies, "They're some of the most talented guitar players I've ever worked with. Why, in 60 seconds, Dann can give me 10 different parts... all the while he keeps saying, 'I can do it better, I can do it better'. He's a genius... And you can put that on your page."

So I did.  :)   Thanks, Michael.

Dann Huff. Ever heard the name? Well, if you haven't heard of Dann, then you just haven't been reading your album liner notes lately. No doubt, you've probably heard his work and just never known who was playing. Dann's name has appeared on so many favorite albums of mine, that now, when I hear an excellent guitar riff - nailed to perfection - I just figure "Its gotta be Dann" And usually a little digging into those liner notes, and Viola! There's his name.

I've been enjoying Dann's work since I first encountered his awesome playing ability on White Heart's first album.

From CCM Magazine 1988


Exhibt A. White Heart's first album. (Dann's the 2nd one from the right. Yeah, I know he's kinda small, but remember, he was younger.) You could find Dann at home in all the music departments: Songwriting, Lead Vocals, Lead and Rhythm Guitars... and when it was time for the solos, that trusty Fender Strat of his just punched on in and never stopped. Some of the notes that he hits on "You're The One" are just incredible! Just how many frets did he have on that thing? Then again, Dann never lets something as simple as frets hold him back!  Cover of White Heart's First Album Cover of Vital Signs


And of course, he kept right on going with White Heart's second album, Vital Signs. That's Dann, holding the red Strat. I discovered that if you view the back of the Vital Signs album (from 1984), you'll see Dann playing a sunburst colored Strat... Now jump ahead to 1995... The Dove Awards. Dann was part of the "Players". And what should I see him playing? A very used-looking sunburst-colored Strat. Has he held on to the same one for all these years? Hmmm...

Dann Huff picture with Cindy Morgan From a Cindy Morgan session... there's Dann holding what appears to be that same Stratocaster (but with a few modifications here and there).

 

 Dann was also among the "Players" on the 1996 Dove Awards broadcasted on April 25, 1996. Although Dann could be spotted at several times during the show, there was a nice close-up of him performing a guitar solo during the Southern Gospel section of the program.


Travel with me now... back to 1987...


While Dann Huff enjoys the notoriety and excess of playing three sessions per day, five days a week, he only jumped into the studio circuit three years ago. At that time, he was cutting demos in Nashville when he came to the attention of producer Robbie Buchanan. Claiming he "lucked out," Huff moved to Los Angeles and within two months he had the scene wired, The work came easy-finding the right guitar sounds did not.

"When I came here, what I needed was totally different from what I thought I'd need. I didn't even know how to use a vibrato bar"
Huff learned quickly. His main calls were to record electric rock guitar solos, but to find consistent work he realized there was a need to be a proficient rhythm guitarist as well. Taking his cues from the likes of Paul Jackson, Jr. and Dave Williams, Dann soon developed strong rhythm chops to match his staggering soloing abilities. Huffs gear was still, shall we say, second class. It wasn't until he traded his custom Stratocaster, built by a Nashville luthier, for a 1963 Fender Strat (which he had wizard Jim Tyler rework), that he truly entered the age of modern guitar

"I hated Strats in the beginning, but that's all I play now"
In addition to customizing his main studio Stratocaster, Jim Tyler has also built two custom Strat-style guitars for Dann. The guitarist feels that the Stratocaster is the only style of instrument capable of cutting through the barrage of MIDI-ed synthesizers present on virtually every record. Dann, like virtually every working sessioneer, works with the Bob Bradshaw rig, a signal chain organizer which gives the guitar access to ultra high-end and heavy bottom-end, two essentials in the battle against synths. While Huff had no choice but to modernize his sound, his true tonal love lies somewhere else.

"I still think the best sounds are those that you get when you plug straight into the amp. If I sat and played you the sound that I liked, and that sound were totally preserved on record, it would sound great. But I'm sure you've heard records where the guitar sounds like a little bzzzz with a lot of bottom-end. And that's the problem."

Guitar World Magazine - July 1987

"Producers want to hear the
sound they hear on radio every day"

1987 Photo of Dann
"For the most part, producers want to hear the sounds you hear every day on the radio, I like my rack and I like my sounds, but I tend to get bored because everything sounds the same. Part of being an LA session player is giving up rights to individuality at any given time. They pay you a lot of money to be able to pick their brain and insert more of what they hear than what you're hearing.

"People like Mike [Landau] and Paul Jackson are great players and we're pretty much all interchangeable. But, at the same time. we're all different personalities and we hear music a little differently"

 

 


The Player's Project:

Dann w/Gig Bag... I wonder what's in that thing?

Dann, and others, are  featured on an album called THE PLAYERS which features some of Nashville's best. It was released during the month of April '96 on Warner Alliance and features Michael Omartian, Tom Hemby, Mark Douthit, Dann Huff, Terry McMillan, Shane Keister, Eric Darken, Chris Rodriguez and Tommy Sims. 

Dann writes and plays on his own song TO BE FORGOTTEN which is number 5. The album is mostly instrumental, but Hemby and Sims do have have some vocals. The album was originally sent out to all CCM UPdate subscribers as an intro and promo in complete form. A portion of the proceeds benefit the FEED THE CHILDREN charity. The album is intended to give notice to the public of some of the hidden talents behind many CCM tracks we all know and love.

It is interesting to note, that some of these questions are missing from some liner notes I've seen. The following is a compilation of the information gleaned from two separate disks:

TO BE FORGOTTEN:

MUSICAL INFLUENCES: Bill Withers, Jeff Beck, David Sanborn, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, Paul Rodgers

ENDORSEMENT: Peavy Amps

WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION BEHIND THIS SONG? To play a song the way I wanted to without some producer breathing down my neck.

RECENT HONORS: Voted Top Session Guitarist of 1995 by Guitar Player magazine.

WHO PLAYED WHAT: Dann Huff: Guitar, Synth, Bass » David Huff: Drum programming » John Hobbs: Fender Rhodes

TOP 5 SESSIONS: Mariah Carey, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, Reba McIntre, Wynonna, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, DC Talk, Clint Black (apparently there must be a tie in there somewhere)

IF YOU WERE DESERTED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT WOULD YOUR TOP 5 DISCS BE:

WHAT IS YOUR MUSICAL PHILOSOPHY: Do it until it sounds right.

Country Guitar 1995

A Partial List of Dann's Work

In the order I hear about them...
If anyone happens to know the album titles (for the ones missing), drop me a line.

  1. Bob Boykin and Firepower (HAZARDOUS MATERIAL)
  2. Illustrator (Self Titled) Lead guitar and "monster" noises
  3. Teen Dream - Lets get busy, 1987
  4. Appolonia - Appolonia, 1988
  5. Sergio Mendez - Brasil '86
  6. Breakfast Club - Breadfast Club, 1987
  7. Jeff Lorber - Private Session, 1986
  8. The Jets - Magic, 1987
  9. Natalie Cole - Everlasting, 1987
  10. Brenda Russel - Get here, 1988
  11. El Debarge - ElDebarge, 1986
  12. Glady Knight and the Pips, Allow Love, 1987
  13. June Pointer - June Pointer, 1989
  14. Lorrie Morgan "My Heart" 1999 BNA (BMG)
  15. Faith Hill "Love Will Always Win" 1999 Warner Bros, "Take Me As I Am", "Breathe" Producer
  16. Barbra Streisand "Higher ground" "Till I Loved You"
  17. Michael Bolton "All That Matters" Columbia
  18. Martina McBride "Evolution" RCA
  19. Clint Black "Nothin´ But The Taillights", "The greatest hits" RCA (1988 - 1996)
  20. Puff Johnson "Miracle" Work
  21. Michael Bolton "This Is The Time", "Greatest hits 1985-1995", "The One Thing" 
  22. Grover Washington "Soulful Strut" Columbia
  23. Neville Brothers "Mitakuye Oyasin Oyasin" A&M
  24. Deniece Williams "So Glad I Know" Sparrow
  25. Reba McEntire "Starting over", "Read My Mind" 
  26. Mariah Cary "Daydream" Columbia
  27. Dusty Springfield "A Very Fine Love" Columbia
  28. Carlene Carter "Little Acts Of Treason" Giant
  29. Tammy Wynette "Without Walls" Epic
  30. Mariah Carey "Merry Christmas" Columbia
  31. Luther Vandross "Songs" Epic
  32. Kathy Mattea "Walking Away A Winner" Mercury
  33. Tim McGraw "Not A Moment To Soon" Curb
  34. Merle Haggard "1994" Curb
  35. Smokey Robinson "One Heartbeat" Motown (gramophone record)
  36. Kenney Loggins "Back to Avalon" CBS (gramophone record)
  37. Vanessa Williams "The Comfort Zone" Polydor
  38. Bob Seger "The Fire Inside" Capitol
  39. Doro "True At Heart" Vertigo (Gramophone record)
  40. Feargal Sharkey "Sons From The Mardi Gras" Virgin
  41. Martina Mcbride  (Emotion)
  42. Liaison  (Cool Water)
  43. Shane Minor (Produced)
  44. She Daisies (Produced)
  45. Chris Christian (Self Titled)
  46. Robert Jones (Love and War)
  47. Jimmy Lawrence (The World is Round)
  48. George Benson (20/20)
  49. Bruce Willis (Return of Bruno)
  50. Shane Minor (Self Titled - Produced by Dann)
  51. Shedaisy (Produced by Dann)
  52. Lari White (Produced by Dann)
  53. Russ Taff (Medals)
  54. Rod Stewart  (Vagabond Heart - 1990)
  55. Martina McBride (Wild Angels)
  56. Mark Spiro (Now Is Then Then Is Now; Devotion; The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of)
  57. Olivia Newton-John : The Rumour
  58. Chris Ward : One Step Beyond
  59. Alan Gorrie : Sleepless Nights
  60. Toby Keith : Dream Walkin'
  61. Lonestar <--Produced by Dann
  62. Roby Duke : Come Let Us Reason
  63. Billy Joel : Greatest Hits
  64. John and Audrey Wiggins : The Dream <--Produced by Dann.
  65. Joe Cocker (Cocker)
  66. Eddie Money (Greatest Hits - "Send Me a Wise Man")
  67. Crystal Lewis (Beauty For Ashes 1996)
  68. Rick Ocasek-fireball zone(2 songs)
  69. Donna Summer-bad reputation (1987)
  70. Lou Rawls-when the night comes(1983)-dann's first Major session.
  71. Van Stephenson-suspicious heart(1986)
  72. White Heart-live at six flags(1983)
  73. Kenny Loggins-back to avalon(1988)
  74. Smokey Robinson-one heartbeat(1987)
  75. Bill Baumgart (The Kindling, 1988)
  76. Celine Dion: Let's talk about love (1997), "My Heart Will Go On" - Soundtrack for Titanic
  77. Colline Raye (I Think About You)
  78. Clay Walker (Clay Walker)
  79. Judson Spence (Judson Spence)
  80. PUR (Abenteurland)
  81. Bryan Ferry (Bete Noire)
  82. John Anderson (Seminole Wind, Paradise)
  83. Bit By Bit (Theme from "Fletch")Performed by Stephanie Mills-Produced by Harold Faltermeyer-Guitars by Dann Huff
  84. Susan Ashton (A Distant Call)
  85. 4Him (The Message - also seen in their Video by the same name)
  86. Megadeth - (Produced by Dann)
  87. Anointed (The Call)
  88. Tim McGraw (Everywhere; All I Want; Not a Moment Too Soon)
  89. Barry Manilow (Summer of '78)
  90. Emanuel - A Musical Celebration of Christ's Life (Dann plays guitars and arranges)
  91. Stanley Clarke (Hideaway, 1986)
  92. Age of Faith (Heart Of The Young)
  93. Al Denson (Do You Know This Man)
  94. Bob Carlisle (The Hope Of A Man)
  95. Chris Eaton (Wonderful World)
  96. Lou Gramm (Long Hard Look, 1989)
  97. Geoff Moore and The Distance (Home Run, Evolution)
  98. Boz Scaggs (Other Roads)
  99. Mindy McCready (If I Don't Stay The Night, Ten Thousand Angels, April 1996)
  100. Jaci Velasquez (Heavenly Place, Dann plays guitar + he co-wrote one song, "Shelter")
  101. Idle Cure (Eclipse)
  102. John Schlitt (Shake, Unfit For Swine)
  103. Chaka Khan (Destiny -1986) Dann plays on one track on this album, called "Watching The World." I understand that it has an incredible solo.
  104. What If (What If - 1987) Dann plays on one track on this album, called "Turn And Walk Away.
  105. Chicago (19)
  106. DC Talk
  107. Madonna (Like A Prayer, True Blue)
  108. Reba McIntire (Read My Mine, Starting over, The Last One To Know)
  109. Geoff Moore
  110. Wyonna
  111. Kenny Loggins (Back to Avalon)
  112. Serene & Pearl (Crazy Stories)
  113. Kansas (In The Spirit Of Things - Dann is credited with co-writing one of the songs)
  114. White Heart (White Heart, Vital Signs)
  115. Steve Camp (Taking Heaven By Storm)
  116. Kathi Trocolli (Stubborn Love, Sounds of Heaven)
  117. Leslie Philips (Dancing with Danger, Black and White in a Gray World)
  118. Glen Campbell (Wings Of Victory, Show Me Your Way)
  119. Michael Card (The Word, Come To The Cradle, Joy In The Journey, Poiema)
  120. Gary Chapman (The Light Inside) **
  121. Steven Curtis Chapman (For The Sake Of the Call, The Great Adventure, Heaven In The Real World, The Music Of Christmas)
  122. Clay Crosse (Time To Believe)
  123. Devonsquare (Bye Bye Route 66 - 1991)
  124. Bryan Duncan (Slow Revival)
  125. Michael English (Debut album, Hope, Freedom)
  126. Gaither Vocal Band
  127. Giant (Last Of The Runaways, 1989 A&M Records; Time To Burn, 1992 Epic Records; It Takes Two + Giant Live!, 1990 All Fired Up Records, Giant III )
  128. Amy Grant (Straight Ahead, Unguarded, Lead Me On, Heart In Motion, Home For Christmas, House Of Love)
  129. Steve Green (The First Noel, Where Mercy Begins, Find Us Faithful)
  130. Kim Hill (So Far So Good)
  131. Imperials (Feel The Fire, Let The Wind Blow)
  132. Michael Jackson
  133. Paula Abdul (Straight Up, Forever Your Girl)
  134. Jag (The Only World in Town)
  135. Rachel, Rachel (Way To My Heart, You Oughta Know By Now)
  136. Rebecca St. James (Rebecca St. James)
  137. Wes King (The Robe, Common Creed)
  138. Twila Paris (A Heart That Knows You)
  139. Angelo Ballestero (The Wind Will Carry Me - 1992)
  140. Sandi Patty (Le Voyage, Find It On The Wings)
  141. Point Of Grace (The Whole Truth)
  142. Michael W Smith (i2eye, Go West Young Man, Change Your World, I'll Lead You Home, Live The Life
  143. Matthew Ward (Armed & Dangerous)
  144. Van Stephenson (Righteous Anger)
  145. Wayne Watson (A Beautiful Place, One Christmas Eve, Field of Souls)
  146. Russ Taff (Russ Taff)
  147. Take 6 (Join The Band)
  148. Tiffany (Tiffany - 1987)
  149. Whitesnake (1987 - Dann was involved with sessions for this album, and he can be heard on the "radio mix" of "Here I Go Again," which now is on the "Greatest Hits" CD)
  150. Peter Wolf (Vienna - 1987)
  151. Shania Twain (The Woman In Me, Come on Over)
  152. Robert Tepper (No Easy Way Out)
  153. Over The Top - motion picture soundtrack (1986)
  154. Jack Wagner (Lighting Up The Night - 1985, Don't Give Up Your Day Job - 1987)
  155. Rick Springfield (Rock of Life - 1988)
  156. Peter Cetera One More Story, Solitude/Solitaire - featuring 'The Glory of Love' from Karate Kid II, One Clear Voice; You're The Inspiration)
  157. Light Jazz Christmas - Instrumental Album (Dann's solos are incredible on this one. Found this one at Sears of all places, but I've seen it at Eckerd Drugs and Best Buys too. Only three songs feature Dann's playing, but those three make the album! IMHO, of course.)
    Here's a sound bite of just one of Dann's solos from this album. I think it's a great representation of his playing ability... slow and tasteful with great sustain one moment, lightning fast and cruisin' the next! This one is the middle electric guitar solo of "We Three Kings". To download it, click here: The 25 Second Christmas Jazz Dann Huff Solo Sample (269k .au ).
  158. My Utmost For His Highest (Various Artists)
  159. Christmas Disco Party (1979, Joe Scaife - producer)

 

The Interview:

Here's an interview that took place between Brian Jarrett and Dann.
I was able to supply some of the questions... but all the hard work (like transcribing the whole thing) goes to Brian. Interview with Dann.

Giant Fans...
This will take you to my Giant page

 

Other Dann Links

Well, you can always try DannHuff.com

Tyler Guitars lists Dann

Don't miss this link to my unofficial Gordon Kennedy Page. Under "Miscellaneous Mentions" you'll discover a tidbit about Dann's Ping-Pong expertise. According to Billy Smiley of White Heart, Dann could use some practice!

Guitar Tabulature

A songbook entitled "Rock Hard & Heavy Hits" (F3067 GTX-Warner Bros. GTR TAB $13.95) features the Guitar Tab for "I'll See You In My Dreams" from Giant's first album. If anyone's interested it can be ordered from Southern Music, 1100 Broadway,San Antonio,TX 78206, 1-800-284-5443

Also check out Southern Music's Web Site

 


Some of My Favorite Songs
featuring Dann's Playing:

The photo shown here came from an ad for Brian Moore Custom Guitars that I found in the January 1996 issue of Guitar magazine. The caption next to the picture reads:

Dann with sunglasses

 "As soon as I picked up the Brian Moore MC/1, I could tell it was a thoroughbred", --Dann Huff, Giant, 1995 Guitar Player Magazine Best Studio Guitarist


Miscellaneous Mentions and Notes

The following appears in the liner notes of PFR's "Goldies Last Day" album:

Jimmie, Traci and Steve would like to thank the following for their gear: Dann Huff, Gordon Kennedy...


And, from JAG's "Fire in the Temple" album:

(Thanks to) Dann Huff of Giant for the use of your Peavey 5150...


Ron's Note: It's nice to see that these guys can share their toys!

 


Since October 17, 1997

 

Last updated 12/30/02

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