The War Inside Ever Since Tomorrow Park City 4th of July

This was the first song I wrote. I wrote it in early 2010 although the band just learned it a week and a half before this concert on July 4, 2011. We were the final band to play at the Park City, UT big 4th of July Celebration. We had an awesome audience who demanded an encore after this performance even though the last 3 songs we played were my originals. It was a great show.

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.