Fans explain that his songs keep them company. From the heartfelt ballads of "Goodnight Kiss" and "Heart of a Tennessee Town" to the fresh-cut country of his newest release, Backyard Holiday, Don has been delivering the kind of music that sits right next to you on a long drive or joins you out on the porch for a tall lemonade. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Don's fresh but familiar voice has taken him from his hometown of Scarborough, Maine to his second home in Nashville, Tennessee - and just about everywhere in between. Not to mention the South, Southwest, West Coast, and everywhere folks like to dance, tap their toes, or sing along with good music that enters the room like an old friend.

Averaging over 100 performances each year, Don has built a fan base and mailing list of over 7000 homes, and has opened for country music legends like Randy Travis, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, Toby Keith, and many others. It's no wonder Don and his Band were invited to kick off the New England Country Music Festival last summer, held at Gillette Stadium with over 40,000 country music fans. This came on the heels of other recognition in the New England area. Don was named Maine's Best Singer Songwriter (Maine Sunday Telegram, Annual Readers Poll, March 2004 & 2005) and Country Artist of the Year (Jam Music Magazine, April 2004). The Band is a three-time Boston Music Award nominee for Country Act of the Year (2003-2005).

And Don's no stranger to accolades. In 1999, he and his Band batted a thousand, winning eight of eight Battles of the Bands. They were proud to compete on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in the world's largest country music talent search - the True Value Country Showdown - where they won the top prize of $50,000 and bragging rights as "Best New Act in Country Music." Don and his Band also took the title "Best Country Act" and a limited-edition Jim Beam Les Paul guitar when they won the national Jim Beam Country Music Search at Nashville's famous Wildhorse Saloon that same year.

Don was named "Male Artist of the Year" in 2001 by the 25,000+ member grassroots music organization, Just Plain Folks, in recognition of his achievements in songwriting and live performance, and his commitment to the independent music business. As an independent artist and entrepreneur, Don has built his music business with a roll up your sleeves, do-it-yourself attitude that's rooted in hard work and hard play. "I enjoy approaching each day as an opportunity to create, whether it's a song, a new performance idea, or a business initiative. I like and am inspired by working with others who share that kind of spirit; people who aren't afraid to blaze a trail."

In 2002, Don was inspired to write a song about the unique relationship between home health care client and caregivers. "A Friend Right Here" was debuted at the Visiting Nurse Association of America's annual conference along with an accompanying video that Don directed and produced. Don's pleased to announce that the VNAA has since adopted "A Friend Right Here" as its National Theme Song.

When speaking of songwriting influences, Don cites Dan Fogelberg, Vince Gill, the Beatles, the Celtic and Canadian Maritimes roots music of his family, and another fellow Maine native, writer Stephen King. "I strongly believe that Stephen King's On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, should be required reading for any songwriter. As a songwriter, continuing to grow as a storyteller is so important. I learn every day, and On Writing is one of the most influential and inspirational books I've read on the subject."

Don travels across the country - and especially between his homes in Portland, Maine and Nashville, Tennessee - performing as a soloist and with his full band. The Don Campbell Band has been blessed with extremely talented musicians, including current members Andy Happel, Tonya Shevenell, Sumner McKane, and Todd Richard, and former members Robby Coffin, Jackson Gay, Ron Bouffard, and Tom Yoder.

While an exciting live show and a boy-next-door smile are his trademarks, Don knows it's care and attention to his fans that are behind his musical and business growth. The fans "are our lifeblood and we are thankful for the opportunities we have to share music and good times together, whether it's through traditional shows, through our albums and by staying in touch through the mail and/or Internet."

2004 saw a new collection of music for the fans, as Don released his seventh album, Backyard Holiday. A concoction of Campbell-crafted songs, soaring lead vocals, a tight rhythm section, and dueling electric guitar and fiddle parts, Backyard Holiday rolls like the countryside and kicks like a cool glass of cider.

There's no doubt about it: the future is about growth. Don is growing his communities of fans, expanding Don Campbell Music into a diverse multimedia company, and working on his craft as a storyteller, all the while taking time to enjoy the simple pleasures. Let the simple pleasures of one of Don's performances or the great new tunes on Backyard Holiday keep you company this season, and look forward to two new CD projects and a DVD in 2006!

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