What's New Archives 2008

chrlyndbx@mindspring.com

I've been asked again to appear on WBT's John Hancock show tomorrow night, Dec. 18th at 8pm, to talk about the forthcoming Double Door Inn book. For those of you tuning in, that's 1110AM, 99.3FM (around Charlotte), and online at www.wbt.com. Listen in while you're finishing that holiday shopping. Happy holidays, and take care,
-Daniel
Dec. 17th, 2008

How are you? Happy holidays, wherever you are. In this time of frantic searching for gifts, I know that some of you have said to yourself, "Darn, I'd like to give something that has some Daniel Coston photography included with it, but I just don't know where to find them." Well, fear not, as there is a recent abundance of CDs and books that include my photos.

Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown has a great new acoustic CD out called "Out Of The Blue," photographed by yours truly. Sammy Walker's "Misfit Scarecrow" (out now on Ramseur Records) is one of the best records I've been involved with in a long time, one you should definitely hear. I also highly recommend Gael Warning's "License To Kilt" CD (one of the best titles for a record I've shot), and the Virginia Reel's debut EP. And if Chatham County Line is in your town or country soon, pick up their "Live In Caroline" CD, photographed by me, which is only available at their merch table. While you're there, ask if they have a copy of "Live On Film," another tour-only CD that features my photos.

As some of you may have heard, my first book project, "Home Of The Blues: 35 Years Of The Double Door Inn" will be out in a few weeks. Check out the December issue of Charlotte Magazine for excerpts from the book, and my photos. Go to www.myspace.com/ddithebook to order your copy. "Grateful Dead 365," a great photo book that was put together by Holly George-Warren, is out now, and features five of my photos. And the new issue of the Big Takeover is out now, and features my photos and interviews with Fleet Foxes, and Chris White and Hugh Grundy of the Zombies.

And of course, if you'd like to buy any photos directly from me, email me here, or go to www.walnutst.com for nice, limited-edition prints of my work. It's been a busy fall, with shoots ranging from the Charlotte Observer, the New Familiars, Durham musician Luego, and a host of live shows, include M83, Neil Halstead, and many others. Hope you all have a good holiday season, stay warm and take care.
-Daniel
November 29, 2008

Wow, what a blur the best few weeks have been. Where do we begin?

My show at Dish Restaurant is entering its final week, so get out there before it all goes back into my den. Also, I have five photos at the Evening Muse (www.eveningmuse.com), along with three other fine photographers. Check out their work at the Muse, as well as mine. I also have photos up at Zada Jane's Restaurant, just across the street from Dish. Food, photos, what else do you need?

Lots of gigs to report, including work with Disney and Make-A-Wish, New World Van Lines at Concord Motor Speedway (thanks to Sara of Ron Chapple for the recommendation), ASC awards with Arthur Smith and many more, Neiman Marcus, and continued work with the Charlotte Observer, among others. Not to say that the music stuff has slacked off. Tonight, I got to photograph Jackson Browne, who was joined by Maurice Williams to perform "Stay." Truly a cool gig. This follows recent photos of Jack's Mannequin, Hanson, Luego with Peter Holsapple, Chuck Wagon Gang, writers and artists Harvey Pekar and Allison Bechdel, and the Australian Pink Floyd Experience. I also did some new photos for John Dee Holeman, Ian Thomas, Shelley Short, and others.

I had a blast with Chatham County Line and Jonas Fjeld in Asheville. Their record sounds so sweet. "Blue In The Morning" is the song of the year in 2009, mark my words. The record will be out next year on Sony Norway.

In the middle of all this revelry, Sandra and I celebrated our first wedding anniversery, and our cat Milo turned four. Oh crud, now I've got to get him ready for pre-school.

Lots more to come. Hope everyone is doing well. Congrats to Scott Avett on the birth of his first kid. Love to all, and best wishes,
-Daniel
Oct. 23, 2008

Well, I guess it really is a time for change. There are new people in place at Dish Restaurant (Thomas Avenue, in Charlotte's Plaza-Midwood heighborhood), and they have asked me to exhibit there throughout the month of October. The photos will be in place on September 30th, and an opening night reception on Thursday, October 1st. More details on all of this will soon follow. So come out, buy some photos, and maybe get some food, too, ha ha.

Godspeed to Richard Wright, and here's hoping that the Great Gig In The Sky is even better than his old gig down here. Set the controls for the heart of the sun,
-Daniel
September 16, 2008

Jack Bruce
Chastain Park, Atlanta, GA
August 8, 2008
photo 2008 Daniel Coston

Good Lord, where did the summer go? I hope that everyone out there has had a good summer. Here's some of the news from my end of the world.

"Sounds From Scattered Pictures," a new photo show by yours truly, will be up at Charlotte's own Dish Restaurant (Thomas Avenue, in the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood) starting on September 15th. There'll be some new photos, and a few old ones that I haven't exhibited before. There will be an opening night reception at Dish sometime that week, more info on that soon. Apart from showing a few photos at the Evening Muse in October (more on that soon, as well), this will be my last Charlotte show for a while, so come out and check out the pics. And yes, these photos will be for sale.

I have three photos in the new solo record by Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown, which will be out soon. The new Sammy Walker record, out now on Ramseur Records, also features photos from me. Check out Chatham County Line's site for a bunch of new live pics of mine from May. I've also recently done photos with the likes of Chris Stamey & Peter Holsapple (again!), Delta Moon, Bob Pollard (again!), the Sammies, Bruce Hazel, and a host of others, and continued work with the Charlotte Observer.

The Double Door Inn book is nearing completion, and will hopefully go to press in September. If you would like to order a limited-edition version of the book, please email me before the end of August. The book on North Carolina musicians is also moving along, and I'll be able to tell you more about that soon, as well.

Other cool events I've shot recently include the Swannanoa Gathering with Jean Ritchie, John Cohen and others, Tom Petty with Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce, Eric Burdon with Hilton Valentine, Turtles, Melanie, Joey Molland, Jonathan Edwards, Zappa Plays Zappa, Whigs, legendary Irish singer Andy Irvine, Gil Scott-Heron, Fleet Foxes, Islands, Thriving Ivory, and legendary Mad Magazine editor Al Feldstein.

Hope you're all doing well. Best wishes and take care,
-Daniel
August 20, 2008

I couldn't let one milestone go unmentioned. Today is the five-year anniversery of the last time that I photographed Johnny Cash, in what became his final performance. He didn't intend it to be his final performance, nor did I know it would be the last time I saw him, but to paraphrase the great man, sometimes things just happen that way.

While I consider myself very lucky to have photographed those shows, I'm struck by how long ago those days seem now. So many friends from those days have gone since then, and the world still doesn't seem right to me without them. I often have to remind myself that those people are still with me, in my memories, in my photos, and the experiences that are part of my life. And that's what I continue to take with me.

So as you raise a glass or a guitar to Mr. Cash's memory today, take a moment to think about your friends and loved ones, wherever they may be. The world does not give you enough chances to stop, look around and smile.

Happy Independence Day, wherever you are.
-Daniel
July 5, 2008

How are you? Well, it's time for an update, and this one has got some big news.

I have signed with the prestigious Walnut St. Gallery in Colorado (www.walnutst.com), home to several of my favorite music photographers, including Jay Blakesburg, Ebet Roberts, Baron Wolman, and Paul Natkin. Always wanted to buy limited-edition prints of my photos? Well, we've finally set it up. I look forward to working with Laura and Walnut St. for a very long time, and to diving into the collector market. I've been working on this deal for quite a while. I'll still be handling all of my own business, and any questions you may have about photos, but go over to www.walnutst.com and check out my photos, if you get the chance.

On the North Carolina front, I'll be exhibiting at Femmefest at the Visulite Theater in Charlotte on May 31st. I'll be exhibiting several photos of female musicians, some never before seen, and all of my photos will be for sale. (Yes, this will include that 16x20 of Emmylou Harris that some of you have asked about.)

On the book front, I am still working on two books. The book on the Double Door Inn will have its closing night at (where else) the Double Door in Charlotte on June 8th from 4 to 8pm. This is your last chance to get your stories in the book, and have your picture taken by yours truly. Admission is free, so come out, have fun and smile for my camera. I'm also continuing work on the NC musicians book, and will be doing photos with the original members of the Red Clay Ramblers this Thursday in Union Grove, NC.

Magazines! Yes, that's my 2002 photo of My Morning Jacket in the current cover feature in Spin Magazine. My thanks to Mark, and Don & Laurie for pointing that out to me. We've also got a photo in the current issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine. I also have a photo of the Carolina Chocolate Drops in the current issue of American Heritage Magazine, a magazine I'm actually a longtime fan of. We've also been continuing work with the Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Magazine, the Intermix clothing store (based in NYC, soon coming to Charlotte), DJ legend Chatty Hattie Leeper, and several others.

CDs! I have photos in the forthcoming record by Sammy Walker, whose CD will be released by Ramseur Records in July. I've also recently done work with the Sammies, the Adulterers, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and a few others. And we've been shooting lots of live shots shows recently, including Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Josh Ritter, Ralph Stanley, Son Volt, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Ministry, John Jourgenson, Sara Bareilles, and Steve Earle, among many others.

The new issue of the Big Takeover Magazine, with my interviews and photos with Ray Davies, Band Of Horses, and more is now on the shelves. Check it out and let me know how I did. I hope that you're all doing well. Best wishes and take care,
-Daniel
May 21, 2008

I'm back from my sort-of secret gig. I got to see and photograph the Zombies' Odessey & Oracle reunion shows in London, England last weekend. They were simply amazing shows, and I really that you all could have been there. While I was in London, I also got to photograph the Queen of England, Annie Lennox, Abbey Road Studios (and yes, the crosswalk, too), and many other cool spots. You'll see photos from all of this on my website soon.

Sad to say, I didn't make it down to SXSW this year, but I hope to be back next year. Hope you're all doing well. More soon, and take care,
-Daniel
March 16, 2008

Zombies photo: l-r Colin Blunstone, Hugh Grundy, Chris White, Rod Argent, March 7, 2008
(Click photo thumbnail for a larger view)
copyright 2008 Daniel Costo

Wow, its March already. How'd that happen? It's been a busy time the past several weeks. Continued work with the Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Magazine, and publications in different magazines in Charleston, SC, and the Big Takeover in New York. My work with the Takeover last month alone included an interview and photo shoot with Band Of Horses in Birmingham, AL, and a phone interview with the legendary Ray Davies. Yes, I'll be getting Ray's photos later in the year.

Chatham County Line's new album, IV, photographed by myself, is out today, so go and check out one of the best records I've ever had the good fortune to be involved with. I also got to work again with Chatham Co. last month when the legendary Jonas Fjeld came in to visit from Norway. You'll see some of those pics soon.

Other recent shoots include Morgan Kraft and the Enrichment Center Percussion Ensemble (www.myspace.com/ecpe), Ian Thomas, Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown, Spongetones (three photos in their new album!), Raised by Wolves, Randy Fulp, and a fantastic in-the-studio session with the Trutones, produced by Don Dixon, and featuring Charlotte's best musicians playing live in the big room of Reflection Studios, just the way that records used to be done. Some other recent cool shows that I've photographed include Richard Thompson, Richie Havens, Don Dixon & Mitch Easter, Whigs, Justin Townes Earle and several more.

While Zada's Jane restaurant in Charlotte is still in the process of hanging my photos, I've been asked by the Light Factory of Charlotte to donate a photo for their annual fall exhibition and auction this fall. On a different note, I've been asked by Diane Lee (widow of Arthur Lee) to donate a photo of Arthur to a tribute show that they're holding in Los Angeles this June.

I'm going to be busy the next several days on a project that you'll hear about soon, so if you need to reach me, please email me at danielcoston@aol.com, or leave me a message on my home phone, (704) 841-9371. I've give you an update next week. Talk to you soon, and take care,
-Daniel

Happy New Year. Chatham County Line's new album, aptly entitled "IV," with photography from myself, will be out in early March. This is a fantastic album, and my thanks again to the boys for bringing me on board with this great album. This month also sees me working with Delta Moon, my old friends in The Carson McCullers (a great band out of Chicago, and several other cities), and working on some other things that I'll be able to tell you about soon.

The very cool new restaurant Zada Jane's, located on Central Avenue in Charlotte, has given a home to several of my photos from my recent Levine Museum show. These photos are also now for sale, so come by for great food, and buy a pretty photo or two.

On a serious note, Drew Glackin of the Silos (with whom I've worked with in the past) passed away on January 5th. Drew was a genuine joy to be around, and the world is little more empty without him. On a more personal note, my brother-in-law passed away last weekend. Jimmy had been fading away for some time, and while one can never know why things happen the way they do, the good times that you had with someone (be they friends, family, etc.) will never change, and that is what you can always keep. Enjoy life, for the world moves too fast....

Love to all, best wishes and take care,
-Daniel