Playing the long game

Lewiston musician looks forward to his 50th year of performances

By Mary Stone

Lewiston singer and guitar player Daniel Mark Faller spent much of his nearly 50-year career performing with bands, but don’t assume he’s lonely on stage now when it’s just him and recorded tracks.

He looks almost meditative, strumming his guitar, eyes closed.

“Which is what I do a lot anymore,” he said, “because I don’t have to worry about my backup band, so I can just close my eyes and go to my happy place when I’m playing.”

For years, the only option for good sound was to play with a band, and he said he’s grateful to have played with what he believes are some of the best bands to come out of Lewiston.

“I appreciate and I love everybody I ever played with, but when you’re in a band there’s drama,” he said. “I play with tracks now instead of a backup band, because I’m a singer and what a singer looks for is a platform to support your vocal.

“Now, with my tracks, when I hit play and I close my eyes, I’m thinking about nothing but the song.”

Faller, who turned 70 last week, is getting ready to book gigs for his 50th year as a professional musician next year. The father of four and grandfather of 10 experienced multiple transformations in the industry during his career, but he’s not wistful for the way it was. He’s too busy shaping the next chapter.

Click here to read the entire article.