Danger in the Air

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Danger in the Air was a well-known regional bluegrass band based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Ironically, it is best known not on its own merits, but as the band founding Dixie Chicks member Robin Lynn Macy was in while simultaneously performing with the up-start, all-female group which was founded in 1989. [1][2]

The band was founded by Drew Garrett (bass) and Andy Owens (mandolin) (although James McKinney also lays claim to being its founder). Both musicians were established bluegrass musicians. The original group also included Robin Macy on guitar and James McKinney on banjo. Stephan Dudash (5-string viola) was a late addition. As a five-piece, the band won first place at several regional competitions and placed fourth in the national SPBGMA band contest in Nashville. [3]

Danger in the Air released two cassettes -- a self-titled recording and Airtight.

After the band dissolved, due in part to Macy's commitments to the fledgling The Dixie Chicks, McKinney moved to Nashville in 1990 where he continued to perform using the band's name. He and his wife now perform as the James & Angela McKinney Band. [4]

Garrett eventually moved to Colorado where he worked as a sound engineer and producer. [5]

Owens remains well-known in bluegrass circles, although some may have forgotten that he introduced Macy to the Erwin sisters and recorded their three-track demo. <>[6][7] His Andy Owens Project released several CDs and he recorded and toured with Druha Trava in 2007. [8]

Dudash continues to record and perform. He released Mango Django in 2004. [9]

Macy eventually left the Chicks over a dispute in musical direction. She eventually moved to Kansas and continues to perform and teach mathematics.

'Danger in the Air Drew Garrett, Bass; Robin Lynn Macy, Guitar, Vocals; Andy Owens, Mandolin, Vocals; James McKinney, Banjo; and Stephan Dudash, Viola, Vocals.

[edit] Discography

  • Danger in the Air (1988)
Self-released Cassette
Produced and arranged by Danger in the Air
Recorded at TMPS Studios, Austin, Texas, by Larry Seyer
Drew Garrett, Bass; James McKinney, Banjo; Andy Owens, Mandolin; Robin Lynn Macy, Guitar; Stephan Dudash, Fiddle.

Tracks
1. Bluegrass Show (Jim Messina)
2. The Letter (W. Thompson (The Box Tops))
3. Sweetheart of the Pines (Emmylou Harris)
4. Salt Creek (Traditional)
5. Big Train (from Memphis) (John Fogerty)
6. Minor Swing (Reinhardt/Grappelli)
7. Danger in the Air (Steve Hartz)
8. Train 45 (Traditional)

  • Airtight (1990)
Self-released Cassette
Produced and arranged by Danger in the Air
Recorded at Omega Audio, Dallas, Texas, by Bil VornDick, assisted by Philip Barrett
Drew Garrett, Bass; James McKinney, Banjo; Andy Owens, Mandolin; Robin Lynn Macy, Guitar; Stephan Dudash, Fiddle.

Tracks
1. In The Pines (Jimmy Davis/Bill Monroe)
2. Love Light (Stephan Dudash)
3. It Don't Matter (Robin Macy)
4. Revel in the Glory (Andy Owens)
5. Storm Out on the Sea (Robin Macy/Mary Neal Northcut)
6. In Despair (Joe Ahr)
7. I'm a Believer (Neil Diamond)
8. Kiss Me Once (Robin Macy)
9. Bounce (James McKinney)
10. My Baby Thinks He's a Train (Leroy Preston)
11. Prisoner Without Love (Stephan Dudash)

[edit] References


[edit] External Links