Donny, a songwriter and ichthyologist from Florence, Alabama has had more than 100 songs recorded by country artists including Alabama, Restless Heart, Reba McEntire, Dirt Band, Nanci Griffith, Randy Travis, Steel Drivers, Mac McAnally and Hank Williams, Jr.  “Old Flame” by Alabama has sold over 10 million copies and has also been covered by Rascal Flatts and Jason Isbell and John Paul White.  Three other Donny songs have reached the top of the country charts including two songs by Restless Heart – “Why Does It Have To Be Wrong Or Right” and “Say What’s In Your Heart” and “Stand A Little Rain” by The Dirt Band.  Donny’s latest release is on the Steel Driver’s Grammy award-winning album, “Too Much” co-written with Gary Nichols. 

In addition to the above artists Donny has also collaborated with artists including Vince Gill, Steve Wariner, John Waite, New Grass Revival, Robert Earl Keen, Walt Wilkins and Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Not everyone can say that their hobbies are synonymous with their vocation.  “Music and fishin’ have been my passions since my early teens and I’ve been blessed to be able to do both my whole life.  It’s like I really never had a job – doing the two things I loved (and getting paid for it!).”  Influenced by the Muscle Shoals music scene and the Tennessee River Donny molded his passions into successful dual careers.  Now retired from the fisheries ecology profession Donny and his wife, Karen reside in two places, Florence, Alabama, on beautiful Cypress Creek and Carrabelle, FL.  Retiring from songwriting is not in the offing.

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