Dan Doran has been a major presence in Kansas City music for more than 30 years. His diverse career began at age 21 in honky tonks like Ron’s Chouteau Inn, Club Royal and Club 95 – emulating Floyd Cramer and Jerry Lee Lewis, honing his skills six nights a week with seasoned musicians. Kansas City Star music critic Jess Ritter aptly described Doran’s unique performing style in this period, referring to him as a “shaggy bionic metronome”. Music lovers appreciate the depth of Doran’s talent even more when they learn that he is a completely self-taught musician who has never had a piano lesson! In the next ten years Dan Doran backed up many touring Country artists in Kansas City including Dave Dudley, Freddy Fender and Eddy Raven. He opened shows for The Oak Ridge Boys, Earnest Tubb, Little Jimmy Dickens and many others. In 1977, following the death of his father, he toured the US and Canada with Spectrum, a show band, further expanding his musical repertoire. Returning to Kansas City in 1978, Doran began his “day job” with the Post Office as a letter carrier, a career that has lasted more than 27 years. Music – always his first love – has continued to be the driving force in his life. Much to the pleasure of his loyal following, Doran has continued playing clubs, private events and benefit concerts while maintaining his day job all these years. As the Country & Western club era began to wane in the 1980’s Doran began a gradual shift to Rock and then to Blues. During this time Doran celebrated his 30th birthday by opening for Joe Cocker who was performing in Kansas City. Around 1985 he hooked up with the legendary Little Hatch – an extraordinary harp player and singer – thus beginning his education in the Blues. Doran, on piano and organ, playing with Little Hatch and the Houserockers, opened up shows for many Blues greats, including Buddy Guy, Johnny Copeland and James Harman. During these years he also worked extensively as a studio musician, notably recording a gospel album with Country artist Freddie Hart. In 1988 Doran founded The Dan Doran Band, a six-piece horn-loaded R&B group that soon gained a large local following at such venues as the Grand Emporium and Night Moves. In 1991 they recorded a CD, Alive In Kansas City, that received critical acclaim and heavy airplay on Blues radio throughout the world. Over time the band has distilled into a trio, occasionally adding a sax or guitar player. The sound has evolved, too, becoming more Jazz- and New Orleans-influenced while retaining a high energy approach. Doran’s surprisingly evocative covers of Van Morrison songs are a highlight of the show. Mixing original tunes with favorite covers, the band’s current CD Kansas City captures the trio’s sound in a variety of styles. It is this mixture of various styles that keeps crowds entertained. Dan also does a very strong solo act and has been referred to as “the human jukebox” for his ability to play an extraordinarily long and diverse list of popular tunes.