Guelph singer-songwriter Danielle Todd is counting down the days until her farewell show this Sunday at the Stampede Ranch because Monday morning she is loading up her van and moving to Nashville.
“People ask if I am scared and I think 'oh my gosh.' When I sit in front of all those people Sunday, the scariest part will be leaving them because they have been supporting me since I was a kid,” said Todd. “I know they all want me to go and succeed but at the same time I am starting all over again in a new place.”
Todd’s decision to move to Nashville has developed over the last two years during which time she made several trips back and forth.
On each trip to Nashville, she made new contacts, performed for more people and networked with a growing list of people in the music industry.
“I can remember driving home the last time and just crying my eyes out,” said Todd. “I didn’t want to come home. Not because I don’t love it here, but in two weeks in Nashville I get more work done than I do in a year here. There are a lot more opportunities.”
She has dreamed of a career in music since she was a child and drew inspiration from her cousin Mike Todd and her father Jamie Todd who are both professional musicians.
“When I was in grade nine, my dad gave me a piano and told me if I learned how to play piano, I didn’t have to get a summer job,” she said. “When I did finally get a job, I saved up to buy a keyboard so I could go out and perform with it.”
Another big influence was Guelph musician Ambre McLean who convinced Todd to become a songwriter.
“She said to me, 'Kitten, you have to write songs' and I said 'I can’t do that.' She said 'yes you can, just do it'. So, I sat down and wrote a song, and after that, all I did was write.”
Todd has since written and recorded songs for two studio albums and one live album.
McLean has remained a good friend of Todd’s as well as a musical collaborator.
"First, I was her mentor, then bandmate and then dear friend,” said McLean. “In all the time I have known her, one thing has remained the same. She is driven by her passion for music. She is talented, dedicated, but first and foremost, she is kind.”
McLean said she is going to miss Todd and posted a good-bye video on her Facebook page featuring her four-year-old-son young Mickey.
It is one in a series of videos being posted by friends and fans each day in the countdown to Todd’s farewell show.
Another good friend, Guelph musician D’eve Archer also posted a video.
“Even as young teen, she always had a spark of determination in her eyes,” said Archer. “I would watch her get on any stage and shine brighter than any light bulb in that building. If anyone deserves to take this leap of faith towards a successful career, it is Dani.”
The farewell show starts at 5:00 P.M. Sunday at the Stampede Ranch on Woodlawn Road.
Admission is free but they are accepting donations from anyone that wants to help Todd with this next big step in her music career.
