Danny Kenny blew up on social media for a song he wrote and performed at his high school graduation from Lone Peak in May 2023. The video of his “tribute to parents” song is currently sitting at 17.9 million views and 2.5 million likes. What a jumpstart into adulthood! This viral video spurred Danny’s growth as an artist. Danny regularly puts out new songs, while also using his musical gifts to help others around him. In 2022, he organized a benefit concert with other local artists (Paige Fish and Reese Olivera – a past Fab 40 in 2018) for suicide prevention. Danny’s musical exploits know no limits. Catch him as Lucas in The Addams Family at Hale Centre Theatre Sandy this fall, where his real life mother, Claire Kenny, will play his mother on stage.
Plot Twist One of the best surprises in my life was when I was contacted by American Idol to audition for the show. It was a super fun experience getting to know the other people that were there, and I’ve definitely made some bonds that will stay with me my whole life.
Hero’s Journey On Oct. 24, 2021, my friend, Caleb Banta, took his own life. I still struggle with trying to come to terms with the fact that he’s gone, even after almost two and a half years. This motivated me to do a benefit concert for suicide prevention, and we raised over $1,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. I was able to make a personal connection with the audience that night, and talked about my experience with the loss, and played a couple songs that I wrote about him. After the concert, I talked with his family and realized the impact that music can have on people. This was the moment I knew I needed to do music for a living. (Before this, I really thought I was going to go into orthodontics.)
Tired Trope I really dislike it when people talk bad about other people.
Daily Underscore Ben Folds and Clinton Kane.
Vital Title I’m a bit of a nerd so when I read, I usually read manga which is basically just Japanese comics. My favorite manga though is “Berserk” by Kentaro Miura.
The Sequel Realistically, I see myself graduating college with a degree in commercial music and then going on to produce other peoples’ music as well as doing my own music and performing on the side. Ideally, I’d be doing my own music full-time and performing while producing other peoples’ music on the side.