Album Notes

DAN BERGGREN writes and sings with a traditional voice and a sense of place. His renewable energy anthem “Power from Above” on FRESH TERRITORY has received national attention, internet and radio airplay. Best-selling author and journalist Bill McKibben writes: "Dan is a throwback to the old role of the folk singer from the days of the civil rights movement. With his wind power song, he’s articulating things that need to be said right now."

Other Quotes from Radio Folks about FRESH TERRITORY:
“What an album---you really feel like you have found your way home--musically and meaningfully.” - Bill Hahn, Host of Traditions on WFDU-FM Teaneck, NJ
“His gentle wit, and his ability to write songs with great choruses, make him an excellent performer.” - Phil Shapiro, Host of Bound for Glory on WVBR-FM Ithaca, NY


Dan has been collecting, writing and singing folk music of the Adirondack region of northern New York for over 30 years. He grew up in the mountains on the land farmed by his mother’s family and worked in the woods on a forest ranger’s crew and a survey crew. Hearing stories and songs from local friends and neighbors, Dan has developed a style that captures the spirit of the mountains.

A familiar voice at coffeehouses, museums, schools and libraries throughout New York State, Dan has also sung at festivals in Vermont, Connecticut, Michigan and Kentucky, at concerts in Zimbabwe and Bulgaria, and on a three-week tour of Romania with the group Common Thread. Some of his songs have been arranged for orchestra, giving Dan the opportunity to perform with the Fredonia Chamber Players, Ithaca College Symphony, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and tour with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.

His music has been featured nationally on public radio and television, earning praise from near and far. Vermont Public Radio calls Dan’s music: “A genuine treasure. Fresh and timeless, full of courage and down to earth richness.” And from overseas, Radio Logatec in Slovenia reports: “A wonderful and careful songwriter who makes every word count.”

Sleeping Giant Records has released twelve albums featuring Dan’s music including Ten Miles to Saturday Night with Dan Duggan and Peggy Lynn, Cloudsplitter with Lynn, a collaboration with Duggan called Rooted in the Mountains and two albums with The Newton Street Irregulars. In 2002 the anthology One with the Water was released featuring recordings previously unavailable on CD. MINERVA - Songs of Irishtown, Olmstedville, Leonardsville and Minerva is Dan’s 2005 tribute to his hometown. The latest release Fresh Territory, builds on Adirondack roots and explores the many dimensions of home, hard-working folks, taking care of our planet and each other.

Dan is professor emeritus of audio and radio studies at the State University of New York College at Fredonia, where he received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1992. In that same year the New York State Outdoor Education Association presented him with its Art and Literary Award. Dan was recognized in 2001 by St. Lawrence University as a Distinguished Alumnus, by the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks with its Heritage Award and most recently, he was the recipient of the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Education Award.