By Jenni Carlquist
When Provo resident Danny Cranney was in seventh grade, he found an old guitar in his basement, and he''s been writing songs ever since.
Cranney, who graduated in April with a degree in American studies isn''t a professional musician. He doesn''t even know how to read music and he has never taken a music lesson. However, he loves to sing his original songs accompanied by his guitar.
With the claim that he cannot sing a hymn because they don''t fit his voice style, Cranney started to get requests for a CD. So he decided to comply.
Tonight, Cranney will start selling his CD 'World Can''t Catch Me,' when he opens for the Peter Breinholt concert at Sundance.
'Most of my songs are personal stories. It''s lyrically driven music,' Cranney said.
The CD consists of 11 original songs, with titles like 'Addiction' and 'Beautiful.'
'Addiction' is his most requested song. It''s a fairy tale story about a former girlfriend, Cranney said. 'Beautiful' is about his mom.
The 11 songs represent ''the best of,'' because he has written so many songs. Most of the songs aren''t written down on paper because Cranney said it''s all in his head.
'You get the feeling, and then you put that feeling with the sound and with the words,' Cranney said.
'His lyrics are the most powerful part of his music,' said Shannon Rasband, a senior from Scarsdale, N.Y., majoring in photography.
While the songs on the CD include occasional string and piano accompaniment, Cranney said he prefers to perform solo.
'I never wanted to have a big band. I just feel like it''s kind of personal. It has deep meanings, but it''s simple music,' he said.
While Cranney has performed for large crowds, like last years senior party at BYU where he was the master of ceremonies, he also enjoys performing for small groups at the request of friends.
'I''d always try to get him to play. I''d have to invite girls over because he wouldn''t play just for me,' said Clinton Felsted, a senior from Maryland majoring in computer science.
Cranney is also a bit of a wedding singer. Performing at weddings and receptions gives him some extra income, and he said it''s really fun. He even performed at a bar mitzvah once.
He said he just likes to entertain and be in front of people. Upon request, he will even do human tricks. He said he is famous for the ostrich.
'It''s this thing where I bow my legs back and look pretty funny,' he said.
Although Cranney has several fans, he doesn''t plan to become a full time musician. He works part time for the Intellectual Properties Office at BYU, and is planning to start a job in the biotech industry in October. He said his music is 'just for fun.'
A sample of Cranney''s music can be downloaded from www.dannycranney.com.