For music fans in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Frankenreiter’s annual August performance at The Stone Pony has become a tradition. The mustachioed singer’s appearance in the famed city-by-the-sea is a signal to locals and tourists alike that the end of summer is approaching, and to soak in every last ray of joy and fun the season has to offer. Frankenreiter graciously, and gracefully provides the soulful, and sun-soaked soundtrack.
This year will be a little different. Frankenreiter will join the Chris Robinson Brotherhood for a special show dubbed “Under the Asbury Moon.” This show will feature both artists on the Stone Pony Summer Stage, the venue’s mega-popular outdoor stage.
We caught up with Donavon to talk about jamming with CRB, the potential for new music, his new project JamTown, and his mustache.
When you perform in Asbury Park, you’ll be performing a special show with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood. Have you performed with the band before, or is this the first time you’re jamming with them on the same show?
Yes, this will be the first time, and we are really excited to be apart of that night. I have been a fan of Chris’ work since the beginning.
You’re currently on your East Coast tour, performing at a lot of great outdoor venues like Stone Pony Summer Stage, but you’ll also be performing at clubs like The Bowery. Do you prefer performing outdoors during the summertime or in a club setting?
I don’t care — inside or outside, it’s summer time and everyone is happy and having a great time. We love just playing.
Speaking of the East Coast, what is your favorite spot on the East Coast to surf?
Where and whenever there are waves. You just never know when you’ll get them, but when they do come in, there are some amazing spots on the east coast.
The last time we spoke you had dropped the Live at the Belly Up album, and you talked to me at length about performing with the guitorgan. It created an amazing sound — do you still use this in your live performances?
Still got it! And it’s been amazing. I love playing the guitorgan, it’s a really fun instrument
2015 was the last time you released a studio record, will we see any new original music from you coming soon?
Yes, very soon! [Recently,] I have been working with G. Love and Cisco Adler on a new group called Jamtown.
Speaking of Jamtown, can you talk about how and why the band came together, and how you felt the band was received when you dropped your record earlier this year?
It’s been amazing. We all got together at Cisco’s house and 10 days later we had these songs. We decided to put a band together around it and see what we could do with it.
It’s been so much fun and we are making a full length record in November. There will be a lot of touring next year with Jamtown
Outside of JamTown, what are you looking forward to the most in 2017?
Being home with my family as much as possible.
And to end on a light note — you have legendary facial hair. Do you have any tips to the dudes out there who would want to maintain their mustache and beard as well as you do?
Yes, just let it grow!
