Donavon Frankenreiter
Biography
Born on December 10, 1972, in Downey, CA, Donavon Frankenreiter took to surfing at a young age. By the age of 13 he had a sponsor -- Billabong -- and the pursuit of a professional career in surfing led to a move to Hawaii a year later. He had rented a home from the parents of Jack Johnson, a fellow surfer who would become a successful recording artist years later. The two became fast friends, learning guitar together, surfing, and just plain hanging out. Music was always fun to play for Frankenreiter, but it wasn't until 2002 that he was confident enough to try it professionally. Meanwhile, Johnson's musical career had broken through into the mainstream, and he was starting his Brushfire Records label. With guest spots from Johnson, G. Love, and Koool G Murder of the Eels, Frankenreiter's self-titled debut appeared on Brushfire in May of 2004. For his next record, Frankenreiter broke from his mentor's label and moved to Lost Highway for the release of 2006's Move by Yourself. An EP full of cover versions called Recycled Recipes landed in 2007 with the polished full-length Pass It Around following a year later. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
The first time I heard him was on Pandora. I thought it was Johnson too. I'm starting to like him better than Johnson but they are both great. Hey, he is a Sagittarius and that's always a good thing.
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I have only listened to a few songs from this guy. I have read so many posts about how he sounds like Jack Johnson and I though the same thing on the first song but as it turned out Jack Johnson was singing on the song so no wonder it sounds like him. I just like it.
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It's a shame this guy owes his career to Jack Johnson. He is supremely more talented than Johnson. I thoroughly enjoy Franks' music! Fresh and vintage all rolled into one.
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I can say that the song "Move by yourself" is way to funky to even be considered to be of the same ilk as Jack Johnson stuff. Jack makes me want to puke. This cats vocals sound like a young Greg Allman. And the groove has the same Allmans feel to it (IMHO). All of which is way to cool for Jack. Jack douche's the sand from his vagina, this guy sound like he just fills choice vag w/ his meat whistle. No likeness what-so-ever between the two....but all I've heard of Donavon is this one cut...
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Yah he does sound like jack, and I wouldn't want to sound like jack. I'm not hating on jack, but jack has not changed since his first song. 4 albums that all sound the same? I like musicians that grow and experiment. Does anybody agree with me? Donoavan albums are the same way.
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Hey Donavon isn't bad by an means... but this is Jack's style. I mean the dude got Donavon started so I think that Jack gets his due credit, and is taking up most of the lime light. The two are basically best friends so don't go saying boo hoo Donavon or the other way around. Both are good singers, one just followed in the footsteps of the other, enough said.
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He sounds good. But he sounds EXACTLY like Jack Johnson, or is it the other way around?? I could not detect any difference between the two.
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I've seen him live three times- a small club or concert makes for a more intimate performance. Last time I saw him, and pulled someone up onstage to sing the chorus to "It Don' Matter" with him. He's an amazing live performer, and does a killer rendition of "Simple Man" by Skynyrd.
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I love them both...who cares that they are compared. Plain and simple, they are pure light. Pura Vida, Aloha,
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I think he has a uniqe style of his own and its good and bad that he's so closely compared to Jack Johnson, he doesn't get as much of his own fame..
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What the F%#$ does Jack Johnson see in this guy. His rhymes are so predictable and childish I always want to go pick up a Dr. Seuss book afterward. I have thrown his album out the window twice:)
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He's full of ALOHA. I think he's a great guy and I'd love to hang with him and hear him in person!
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His music is so living and "Free". He's also amazing in Concert. One a the greatest shows I've seen in years if not ever. Most amazing vibe.
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how about guys stop trying to compare or place the music and just listen
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Guys, the reason the song "Free" sounds like Jack Johnson is because it IS Jack Johnson doing guest vocals, at least on some of it.
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the blurb says him and Jack learned to play guitar together. Thats probably why they sound similar, zzajvuli. who knows, maybe Jack's the one who sounds like this guy.... and donavon just didnt have to confidence to show it to the world. I'm just saying, you never know.
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Well, well,,, Donavan and I were born on exactly the same day only 20 years apart. (me before you.....)Hap p y birthday to you, D, on 12/10. I'll be thinking about you.
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Been listening to this guy for about a year and a half now. I really love his stuff. Great driving, hangout, BBQ, or date music.
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I like him....but does he have to sound almost identical to Jack? Maybe later when he matures he will develop his own style
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never heard of him, but like it. I'm an old rocknroller seduced by island music since moving to the North Shore of Oahu. I love Pandora for introducing me to this kind of music. lolo on the beach & lovin it!!
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Never even heard of this guy, but I love the song Free -which I just heard on Pandora - I'm going to buy his cd's - love the Jack Johnson style - very cool bio - nice - I love this muuuuuuuuuuu u u u s i c ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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first time I saw or heard of D. F. was a opening spot for Gov't Mule on their '07 tour. He got the crowd in the best of moods for Mule and came back out and did 2 numbers with Warren and the boys. Great show.
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thought donavon was stuck in fiji surfing photo shoots i grew up in the same hood as donavan skating halfpipes in the back yards of mission viejo california always new he had great talent but his music blows my mind great success for you dono you done good
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