College Publisher Test Paper

Issue date: 2/10/06 Section: Entertainment

Daniel Watters

In order to escape the reality of actually having to study, many students lounge in the Living Room on Monday nights to relax. Open Mic Night is one of several events on campus that students look forward to -- especially when Daniel Watters plays. First-year business major Daniel Watters has attended and performed at every Open Mic Night since school began in late August. His passion for singing and playing the guitar drives him to perform at every opportunity.

An Arizona native, Watters explained, "A passion for music runs in my family, but no one has refined it. My uncles Doug and Don were probably the most inspirational though." He was the first to really branch off in the direction of performing, and he has never looked back. Watters began playing the guitar at age 10, but it wasn't until high school that he felt his talent emerge. He started his first of many bands in eighth grade, but by his junior year of high school he became more interested in "doing his own thing." Individuality is important to Watters, which he expresses in his lyrics. "If you are the black keys, I am the white," he sings in "Keyboard."

Watters' high school years greatly influenced his musical style, as he developed a deeper interest in jazz music. Not only did he receive a scholarship to the Berkeley College of Music summer camp, but he also made Arizona's All State Jazz Band during his junior and senior years of high school and was a guitarist in the Sedona Jazz Rocks Youth Band for two years. From there, he began performing at local parties and playing covers for different people while deepening his knowledge of music.

As Watters has expanded his musical taste, he has come to admire an eclectic mix of musicians. The Beatles, Tenacious D, and Stevie Wonder are some of his musical influences thus far, and he considers his music to be "a mix between Elliott Smith, The Shins and Miles Davis." His live performances mix covers with original songs. Watters is adamant about playing something different at each Open Mic Night, keeping things interesting for both himself and his audience.

He enjoys singing covers "because people know them, and they get into them, but people also like originals. I like to do both."  Watters is open to trying new styles and makes an effort to draw the crowd into his performance. Along with mixing originals and covers, he also brings an element of comedy to his show. One of his most memorable performances was earlier in the year when he played at Open Mic night with two of his close friends. "We played 'Black Water' by the Doobie Brothers. We even had mustaches, and it was really fun." Watters also has fond memories of the recent show he and Veronica Torres, another LMU student and musician, played together on Jan. 25 at the Living Room.

Watters cannot picture his life without music. "[I] was an engineer major last semester, but I want to play music so I figured business would be better." Watters is eager to continue his solo performances. "[I] definitely want to do my own thing, but I'm a good enough player to where I can play around town."

He is currently recording a solo album that will be released soon, titled "All Day Dreamers LP." He has written, produced, and arranged it himself. Watters also hopes to land more gigs at local venues like The Roxy, and he will continue to entertain fellow students every Open Mic Night.

When asked about his future plans, Watters confidently replied, "It is definitely going to be music."

      

 

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