Letter of Reference from Scott Graves

November 19, 2011

Scott Graves
School Director
On Track Music Guitar School
6233 S. Highland Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121
801.272.7917

About Donovan Colton:

My name is Scott Graves and for the past 20 years I have been the School Director of the On Track Music Guitar School in Salt Lake City, Utah, which I founded in 1992. In the course of that time I have literally taught thousands of students and been associated with many fine musicians who have grown to find satisfying careers in the music industry. There is one however, who has made such an impression on me, that I feel an extreme obligation to share his story with the world. I am speaking of Donovan Colton.

As I write this letter, Donovan is 15 years of age. He began studying guitar with me when he was 6 years old. I was immediately taken by Donovan’s incredible enthusiasm for the instrument. Donny was “on fire” for the guitar like no one I had ever seen. Each week he would show up for his lessons having mastered everything he was assigned with perfect precision and a hunger to forge ahead with new material. Over the years, I have seen students who exhibit a great deal of enthusiasm for their instrument, but I have never encountered anyone with a personal work ethic and drive for success as this exceptional young man.

Donovan has always gone the extra mile to improve his musical skills. He joined our AMPD rock band program, which is only offered to upper level students, when he was 10 years old. He remained in the program for the next four years where he became a founding member of the band Ever Since Tomorrow. He also signed up for every single extra curricular course that was offered at our school. As a young teen, Donovan sat side by side with college students who were pursuing music degrees, in courses that I only offer to the most advanced guitar players. His mastery of the material has become evident in the form of his exceptional original compositions.

I recently had the privilege of reviewing the musical tracks on Donovan’s upcoming album which was almost entirely written, produced, and performed by him (including piano and drum tracks in addition to guitar!). It occurred to me that the world needs to know who this exceptional musician is. The type of talent that Donovan possesses simply does not occur in 15 year olds! I can only imagine where the next five years will take him.

If this letter finds its way into the hands of anyone who has the facility to help this young man to further his career, I urge you to please recognize the rare talent that is embodied in this incredible musician. I assure you that you will be blessed by your association with Donovan Colton.

Sincerely:

Scott Graves

School Director
On Track Music Instruction

4th of July, Park City Style

We had an amazing concert on the 4th of July. The crowd was awesome and even called for an encore. After the concert, we had people of every age approach the stage to say how much they enjoyed us. There was a 9 yr old who wanted to talk guitars, teenage boys and girls, men and women in their 20's thru their 80's stopped by to say how much they enjoyed our show. That was the most fun I have had playing a concert.

Interlude by Donovan Colton

I wrote this guitar instrumental when I was 14 years old. My mom set it to pictures because we didn't know how to post it without video.

KPCW Interview

Roger Crawford from KPCW was kind enough to send us this copy of the radio interview.

The Park Record and KPCW

Part of this exciting week included an article in the Park Record and an amazing interview on Randy Barton's show on KPCW. Jenna and I did acoustic versions of Becoming Undefined and The War Inside. The show was aired live from the Town Lift Plaza and the audience there really liked my originals. It was wonderful to see people enjoying my music. Hopefully, I will get a copy of the interview and you all can hear it here.

The War Inside

Here is the first song I wrote, when I was 13 years old. I woke up at 2:00 am and wrote down the lyrics in 20 minutes. I had been working on the music prior to the lyrics but finalized it all over the next 6 months. Here is the first time the band performed it and you can tell we didn't have it perfect.....but you get the idea. Hope you like it.

The War Inside
Ever Since Tomorrow

Music by : Donovan Colton

Lyrics by: Donovan Colton with Jenna Colton

Verse 1:

             You see the darkness in a tunnel of illuminating light

             I’m sitting by your side thinking how I’m going to make it through the night

             I see the conflict in your eyes

             How long have we been living in this lie

             As I look at you, you look at me, and now I can finally see

             The war inside your head

Verse 2:

             Tomorrow is today and today is yesterday

             Like a vulture flying near just waiting for it’s prey

             I’m going like a racecar going out of control

             I’m looking at you, asking for your help

             But all I can see

             Is the war inside your head

Chorus:

             I see the guns in battle, the explosions and the darkness falls around

             I look at you, you look at me, and now I can finally see

             I close my eyes and hold on tight and wish for a happy landing

             But I open my eyes and stop the dream and now I can finally see

             The war inside your head

Verse 3:

              Drowning hopelessly in this endless sea

             Getting closer to the air that we can’t reach

             Falling under the waves hoping to be saved

             Really wish I could make this better

Chorus:

Solo:

Pre-Chorus:

            You see the darkness in a tunnel of illuminating light

            I’m sitting by your side, just waiting for the fight

Chorus:

Burn The Seas and Interview with Ori Hoffer

I had my sister's help with this song. I wrote the music and the basic idea of the lyrics and Jenna wrote the lyrics and the melody line. It was fun to collaborate with my sister. Hope you like it.

Becoming Undefined by Ever Since Tomorrow

Ori Hoffer asked us to do three originals on PCTV's Mountain Views. This is the first time the band has performed them and we are on TV......Yeah. Hope you like it.

Quarry Village Article in the Park Record

This picture is from last year's concert on the Quarry Stage.

Quarry Village concerts start Sunday - The Park Record

We have gotten a lot of press from the Salt Lake Tribune, David Burger's Blog, The Park Record, PCTV and the best was from KPCW's Randy Barton show.

What a fun Summer we're having.

Winger's Unplugged Montage

We added a few country tunes to our regular rock line-up to round out our 2 hours of acoustic music. Winger's is a fun venue and the food is awesome. I hope you enjoy Ever Since Tomorrow Unplugged.

Urban Challenge Success!!

What a wonderful thing for Geoff Linville to send to Ever Since Tomorrow's Facebook page. This is what he had to say:

"AMAZING job yesterday, guys!! I LOVED your music and plan on making you guys a "Must See" to all my friends!!! Thank you for everything you did for Make-A-Wish. Here is a photo form the Urban Challenge Utah event. I have a few more and if you'd like them just contact me and I'll arrange a way to get them to you."

Facebook

Ever Since Tomorrow Photo Shoot--Summer 2011

Jamie Bass Thorpe is the amazing photographer who has been taking my bands' photos for years. She always gets really great and interesting shots. My mom now has pictures of Jenna and I all over the house and finally hired Jamie to do the whole family's pictures so the rest of the family can be represented.

Notable Is Good

Live music in Utah this weekend Burger with Relish: Music The Salt Lake Tribune

Urban Challenge

Make-A-Wish Foundation Benefit at the Gallivan Center

Come on out to the Gallivan Center and support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and enjoy some music and fun on Saturday, June 25th. The music starts at 1:00 (Ever Since Tomorrow goes on around 2:30) after the Urban Challenge Fundraiser. Check it out at www.urbanchallengeutah.com/race-events.

Wingers After Dark and Unplugged

Be sure to come out to Wingers at Valley Fair Mall and see Jenna, Robert, and I playing some acoustic versions of covers and originals. We will be playing at 8:00 PM (not 8:30) on:

Saturday, May 28th

Friday, June 24th and

Friday, July 22nd

Becoming Undefined-by Donovan Colton with vocals by Janessa Colton

Jenna came home for a week......only...... Silly Spring break. But in that week we played video games, watched Pokemon, and recorded her vocals to one of my originals, Becoming Undefined. Jenna is my best friend and her voice is just amazing. The song, to me, completely changed from not what I was hearing in my head, to exactly what I was hearing in my head. Thanks Jenna!!

Becoming Undefined

by Donovan Colton

Verse 1

You’re gone to me, you’re not breathing

I’ve lost you and it’s not my fault

I watched you leave this ghost town

Nothing but pain to bring you down

Verse 2

You’ve been through war and fire

That doesn’t mean you run away

I’ve seen your pain and sorrow

It’s a shame that you can’t see tomorrow

no tomorrow, oh oh oh, no tomorrow

Chorus

I see you, becoming undefined, becoming undefined

Back in the day, you were the warrior
Cuz of this you’re burnt to the core

Deep inside you’re no longer on fire
How can you do this, lose your desire

Becoming undefined

Repeat Chorus

Excerpts of Donny's Favorite Piano Music

Although I consider myself a guitarist........I enjoy playing the piano, too.  Every May since I was 8 years old,  I have auditioned for the National Piano Guild.  I played programs of 10 memorized songs from the four main periods of music.  The exceptions were, when I was ten, I played 15 Bach songs earning the Early Bach Medal, and when I was twelve, I played 7 complete Sonatinas earning the Sonatina Medal.  I have always received a Superior or Superior Plus rating.  The theory I have learned playing piano has helped me with guitar and song writing.

Donovan Ford Colton

Donny                                               February 2010

                            Ever Since Tomorrow

                            Janessa Colton                               Donovan Colton

June 2010

Student Fest                  May 2010

Quarry Stage             August 2010

Ever Since Tomorrow 2010 Gigs

February 6th--Pat's Barbeque
April 26th--Channel 14 Early Show

May 21st and 22nd--Student Fest Concert
May 28th--Channel 2 Morning News

May 28th—Channel 14 Early Show

June 4th--Yellow Snow Ice Cream
July 18th--Park Silly Market
August 6th--Janessa's Graduation Party
August 8th--The Quarry Stage
August 14th--Summer Jam Concert
November 20th--Mario Reeve's 50th Birthday Party
November 21st--KPCW Park City Radio
November 26th--Yellow Snow Ice Cream
December 22nd--Handi Quilter Barbeque
December 31st--Yellow Snow Ice Cream