Biography
Lenny McDaniel navigated an atypical adolescence in New Orleans, where command of both bass and guitar conferred immediate access to stages amid a nightlife steeped in jazz and R&B. While still in high school he supplied instrumental support for local R&B singers Ernie K-Doe and Aaron Neville. Throughout the 1970s he fronted several regional ensembles, often supplying lead vocals alongside songwriting and instrumental duties. The first of those groups to reach vinyl, the Last Nikel, issued a Mainstream single whose commercial returns proved disappointing, prompting McDaniel to abandon band leadership and pursue a solo path.
He placed his career under the guidance of manager Bill Johnson, whose roster already included Gino Vannelli. Johnson escorted the singer-songwriter—also a pianist—to Los Angeles near the decade’s close, yet soon returned to Louisiana, leaving McDaniel to build connections independently. Session work followed with Dwight Yoakam, John Mayall, and Jackson Browne; additional income arrived through voice-over contributions to commercials and film scores, and McDaniel joined Stephen Stills on tour in the late 1980s. Eager to record his own material, he financed a set of demos on which he performed every instrument except drums.
Back in New Orleans he collaborated with producer Steve Valentino, who shaped McDaniel’s debut album, Bad for Me. Steady club dates and further recording ensued. For his second album, Worth the Price, McDaniel teamed with another Crescent City producer, Carlo Ditta, who also enlisted him for sessions by fellow New Orleanian blues singer Marva Wright. That appearance drew the notice of French industry executive Phillip LeBras, resulting in a Skybranch/Virgin release. The video for “Rosa” gained heavy rotation in France, leading to national tours and festival appearances. McDaniel next assumed full production duties for Tired Angels; its title track was later named Song of the Year by Offbeat readers. He subsequently toured with fellow Louisianan Tab Benoit and self-produced The Blues Side.
He placed his career under the guidance of manager Bill Johnson, whose roster already included Gino Vannelli. Johnson escorted the singer-songwriter—also a pianist—to Los Angeles near the decade’s close, yet soon returned to Louisiana, leaving McDaniel to build connections independently. Session work followed with Dwight Yoakam, John Mayall, and Jackson Browne; additional income arrived through voice-over contributions to commercials and film scores, and McDaniel joined Stephen Stills on tour in the late 1980s. Eager to record his own material, he financed a set of demos on which he performed every instrument except drums.
Back in New Orleans he collaborated with producer Steve Valentino, who shaped McDaniel’s debut album, Bad for Me. Steady club dates and further recording ensued. For his second album, Worth the Price, McDaniel teamed with another Crescent City producer, Carlo Ditta, who also enlisted him for sessions by fellow New Orleanian blues singer Marva Wright. That appearance drew the notice of French industry executive Phillip LeBras, resulting in a Skybranch/Virgin release. The video for “Rosa” gained heavy rotation in France, leading to national tours and festival appearances. McDaniel next assumed full production duties for Tired Angels; its title track was later named Song of the Year by Offbeat readers. He subsequently toured with fellow Louisianan Tab Benoit and self-produced The Blues Side.
Albums
