Donavon Frankenreiter (born December 10, 1972 in Downey, California) is an American musician and surfer. His debut self-titled album was released in 2004 on Brushfire Records through Universal Music.
[The Surf Lodge performance] is sort of like an annual thing.
[Jack Johnson] really helped me make the record, put it out, and then let me tour with him for two years. He really helped me out.
Traveling is also a big inspiration for me.
That was like the best start I could've had, the best way I could've started in the music scene. I owe [Jack Johnson] a lot for the beginning of my career and setting me off on the right path, and that's the coolest thing that ever could've happened.
They say things happen for a reason You don't do them, they won't.
Definitely my wife and my kid [are my biggest inspiration].
Nobody in my family ever surfed, but they would always bring me to the beach.
One Christmas, I just begged my parents like "I want to try to surf on a real board instead of these boogie boards and rafts" and they got me one.
I travel a lot, and being in different countries and a part of cultures, that's just such a huge inspiration for music, and one way or another, you get influenced.
Being a husband and a dad is my inspiration.
I just think that's the most amazing thing to be able to go to places like Japan and surf all day and then that night, play music. It's never been one of those things that's disrupted the flow of one and other, they've just enhanced one and other. It's incredible. It's beautiful that I found these two things that help each other out.
I just try to enjoy the moment and enjoy what's happening. I mean, I want to be conscious of what's going on around me, and be aware of if I can make a change and make things better, which I think is very important.
The things I try to do with Surfrider Foundation, SurfAid, Love Hope Strength, which is a cancer foundation, I try to do as many benefits and fundraising things as I possibly can. It's so important, if you have any kind of a voice, or any way to make a difference, to do that. So, I'm trying to do that, and have fun in the moment, and live life, and hope it all comes together.
I grew up knowing [Jack Johnson], surfing with him.
I grew up in Orange County, California, all over the beaches of San Clemente and that area.
[Jack Johnson]gave me my whole start in music, which was the coolest thing ever.
As soon as I stood up on that hard surfboard, I went so fast and it was such an incredible feeling that I was obsessed, and I fell in love with it, so I never stopped. So, that's how it all started, being around people at the beach and other surfers and then finally getting an actual surf board, and falling in love with that feeling.
I fell in love with these two passions that I made into careers, and I've never had to give one up.
That's how it all started, when I met my wife. My music career, even though I started when I was 16, it never really started till I was like 30, when I started singing and writing my own songs, and that's when it really took off. But prior to that, I was just doing a bunch of covers.
I just think it's amazing that I'm able to do both singing and surfing.