Donavon Frankenreiter To Play Kelly’s, Nags Head [Concert Preview]

Posted By Matt Artz on August 9, 2016

Hawaii-based surfer/singer/songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter returns to the Outer Banks this month live in concert at Kelly’s in Nags Head.

Frankenreiter’s current East Coast summer tour includes 30 shows in 28 days.

From Donavon’s official website: Frankenreiter’s new album, “The Heart,” officially marks the start of the singer-songwriter’s second decade as a solo recording artist. It’s been over ten years since the release of his self-titled debut, and in that time he has grown, not only as a musician, but also as a man. He’s raising a family and nurturing two creative careers-one onstage, one in the waves-but on top of all that, he’s still learning what makes him tick. And so, naturally, he named his album after his ticker.

“All these songs are as close to me singing from the heart as I can,” says Frankenreiter. “It’s a complete record; the songs are intertwined. I had to call it ‘The Heart,’ that was the theme of the record.”

Donavon Frankenreiter

The song “Little Shack” was culled from someone who shares Frankenreiter’s heartbeat: his 12-year-old son, Hendrix. “One night, at home in Hawaii, I was trying to write songs and my son was jamming on his electric,” he says. “I was like, ‘What is that song?’ and he said, ‘It’s just something I’ve been working on.’ He taught it to me, and I recorded it that night and sent it to Grant. Twenty-four hours later, Grant sent back the words. It kinda has that vibe of two people getting together: it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, I got everything I need right in front of me. It sounded like I wrote it, and Hendrix wrote the music. That was the first time that’s ever happened.”

A decade into his career, Donavon Frankenreiter has learned to listen to his ticker above all else. Doing so has allowed the light to come in from all the corners of his world, even those where there is darkness. Sharing the load with those he trusts, and especially with those he loves, he has seized the opportunity to take control of his craft, on his own terms, and to follow his own beat.

“I went into this album saying I wanted to make songs I love,” he says. “Whatever feels right, go ahead and record it, and worry about what happens after, afterwards. I’m proud of it. I go back to the title of the album, and in the song ‘You and Me,’ that chorus: ‘It’s gotta be from the heart/for it to start’… There’s so many things going on out there, everybody’s moving to the beat of a different drum, but I feel like all good things start from the heart.”

Donavon Frankenreiter will drop in at Kelly’s Restaurant and Tavern in Nags Head on Monday, August 22.

Showtime is 9pm, with an opening act to be announced, followed by Frankenreiter scheduled to take the stage around 10:30pm.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online in advance here.