Biography
Born in 1960, guitarist and vocalist Dann Huff grew up in a household steeped in musical ability. His brother David Huff started drumming during third grade, and their father Ronn Huff earned his living as a conductor and arranger. Drawn especially to guitar, Dann took only a handful of lessons that included occasional classical instruction and otherwise relied on playing by ear. At age 13 he received a scale from session guitarist John Darnall, an encounter that pointed him toward a lasting musical vocation.
While still in high school he formed a small group with Gordon Kennedy that appeared at school assemblies and similar occasions. At 16 he already contributed to Nashville demo sessions. By the time he turned 20 he co-founded the Christian rock band Whiteheart, whose lineup included his brother David on drums, singer Steve Green, keyboardists Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl, and bassist Gary Lunn. The ensemble released three albums before Dann departed in 1985.
Afterward he and his brother formed Giant, abandoning Christian music for heavy metal and hard rock releases such as Last of the Runaways and Time to Burn. In the early 1990s he resumed independent work, returning to session recording at which he proved especially adept. Over the years his playing appeared on recordings by Barbra Streisand, Kenney Loggins, Reba McEntire, Celine Dion, DC Talk, Shania Twain, Michael Bolton, Luther Vandross, Donna Summer, Rod Stewart, and numerous other chart-topping artists across country, rock, and Christian styles. He later added production credits, including work with metal superstars such as Megadeth.
While still in high school he formed a small group with Gordon Kennedy that appeared at school assemblies and similar occasions. At 16 he already contributed to Nashville demo sessions. By the time he turned 20 he co-founded the Christian rock band Whiteheart, whose lineup included his brother David on drums, singer Steve Green, keyboardists Billy Smiley and Mark Gersmehl, and bassist Gary Lunn. The ensemble released three albums before Dann departed in 1985.
Afterward he and his brother formed Giant, abandoning Christian music for heavy metal and hard rock releases such as Last of the Runaways and Time to Burn. In the early 1990s he resumed independent work, returning to session recording at which he proved especially adept. Over the years his playing appeared on recordings by Barbra Streisand, Kenney Loggins, Reba McEntire, Celine Dion, DC Talk, Shania Twain, Michael Bolton, Luther Vandross, Donna Summer, Rod Stewart, and numerous other chart-topping artists across country, rock, and Christian styles. He later added production credits, including work with metal superstars such as Megadeth.