Standing behind a microphone at the age of seven, Danette McMahon first shared her love for singing, appearing onstage in Cleveland, Texas, where she grew up. In junior high school, she became devoted to the clarinet, adding this to her passion for music. The clarinet won her a position into The University of Texas marching band and her voice garnered her the invitation to sing with the Jazz Band, second semester. Instead, she made a decision to accept a scholarship from Houston Baptist University, majoring in music and drama.
The summer before her freshman year, she was selected to join the chorus line at The Houston Music Theatre, where her career in the music industry became unstoppable. From 1972-1974, she toured throughout the USA, Canada, & St. Thomas, Virgin Islands with the Vegas show group, Sidro’s Armada, and in 2010 was inducted into the Las Vegas Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with this band.
Over the years, Danette has shared the stage with numerous, well respected professionals, such as Oscar winner Rita Moreno, and has alternated sets with Little Anthony & The Imperials and jazz/blues legend, Joe Williams, at the Tropicana & Sahara in Las Vegas. She opened for Freddie Hubbard, Pacquito de Rivera, Hiroshima, and Spyro Gyra at the “Jazz on the Grazz” Festival in Fort Lauderdale. In Houston, Danette was the featured vocalist with The Bob Henschen Band, opening for Marvin Hamlisch, Dionne Warwick, and The SmothersBrothers.
In 1995, Danette was invited to sing with The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra at the Connecticut estate of Oscar winner Meryl Streep in celebration of her mother’s 80th birthday. That same year, she was cast in the very moving role of the sheriff’s wife, Emma Barnum, in the Disney movie “POWDER” performing with the outstanding actors Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen, Jeff Goldblum, & Sean Patrick Flannery as Powder.
In 2003, she began her songwriting career, returning to study at Houston Community College, with Joe LoCascio. In 2009, she was a featured artist in the KTSU “Houston Ladies in Jazz” and her original, “His Smile”, received airplay.
In 2003, Danette ventured into songwriting which led to returning to college, to studying arranging & composition, with Jo LoCascio, at Houston Community College, 2006-2008. In 2009, she was a featured artist in KTSU’s “Houston Ladies in Jazz” where her original song, “His Smile”, received airplay.
In 2010, she performed with The Bob Henschen Band, at the Castello Banfi Castle, in Montalcino, Italy.
Danette’s passion for bringing the power of music to those living with Alzheimer’s, has taken her into Houston’s retirement communities & Alzheimer’s residences. She uses her magnificent voice, humor, costumes, & familiar song to delight her audiences, responding with singing along & dancing.
Danette McMahon will soon be celebrating the release of her 1st CD “No More Excuses”!
