about Darryl Purpose:"A physically imposing man, hat firmly on head and dressed in black, he bordered on the menacing, until he opened his mouth. Then his natural warmth and charm blazed through."- Michael Mee, Southern Reporter"America's most original narrative songwriter since Harry Chapin"- Q Magazine, February 2001Darryl Purpose has led a diverse and interesting life. Lured as a teenager to the world of casino gambling, Purpose went from betting dollars on the graveyard shifts in downtown Las Vegas, to being one of the best blackjack players in the world by his mid twenties. In his late twenties, Purpose left Blackjack to walk across the country (L.A. to DC) with the 'Great Peace March.' Writing and playing music as a member of the 'house band' of the GPM-his first performing experience- was a watershed event for Purpose, leaving him with a permanent thirst for the connection possible through music. This led to another march in the (then) Soviet Union and the first-ever, outdoor stadium rock concert there, featuring Bonnie Raitt, Santana, James Taylor, and Darryl's band, Collective Vision.Purpose moved into music fulltime in 1996. A thousand shows, and 20,000 CD's later, Purpose has"finally realized his calling as a dramatist for the dispossessed, a chronicler of those Americans who, by choice or by chance, live on the heart's back streets, rising up through the crooked lines like leaves of grass" writes Michael Tisserand in the liner notes from his album A Crooked Line .From unrequited love in a bicycle repair shop in Mr. Schwinn to spurned to ramblings of a disaffected Angelino in"A Crooked Line," we recognize that the often dark characters presented in those story songs live all around us. With his distinctive baritone voice, a smoothly proficient finger-style guitar technique which has earned him an endorsement with Taylor Guitars and a sense of drama and storytelling in his lyrics and music, Purpose delivers a charismatic performance that captures coffeehouse and theater audiences alike, including a huge supply of interesting stories from his activities as a peace activist, professional gambler and modern troubadour. "Darryl Purpose's music hits all the vital areas: the heart, the mind and the gut... Purpose delivers these tales in language that is precise and unflinching, with a voice that rings true from experience. These songs never let go."- New Orleans Gambit WeeklyVENUE LISTSelected Venues -The Birchmere, Alexandria, VABluebird Cafe - Nashville TNCircle of Friends Coffeehouse - Franklin MAClub Passim, Cambridge MAFreight and Salvage Coffeehouse - Berkeley CAHarris Creek Acoustic - Hampton,VAHill Country House Concerts - Bulverde,TXThe Kennedy Center -Washington,DCKerrville Folk Festival - Kerrville TXLive Oak Music Festival - Santa Barbara CAMcCabes - Santa Monica CARose Garden Coffeehouse - Mansfield MASouth Florida Folk Festival - Ft Lauderdale FLSeattle Folklore Society - Seattle WAThe Turning Point - Piermont, NYUncle Calvin's - Dallas TXSelected Festivals:Cambria Hoot Indian Summer Acoustic Music Festival - Cambria CADogwood Festival - Atlanta GAFalcon Ridge Folk Festival - Hillsdale, NYFlat Rock Music Festival - flat Rock NCKerrville Folk Festival - Kerrville TXLive Oak Music Festival * Santa Barbara CANapa Valley Music Festival - Napa CARocky Mountain Folks Festival - Lyons,COSisters Folk Festival - Sisters ORSouth Florida Folk Festival - Ft Lauderdale FLDiscography* A CROOKED LINE - Tangible Music, 2001Purpose's latest includes stunning musical contributions from friends Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer, two songs co-written with Ellis Paul, and a vocal/strings arrangement performed by members of the Turtle Island String Quartet. His cast of largely nameless wanderers and fate-tempters now expands to include a mostly-forgotten president (California), a haunted veteran ( Late for Dinner) and a disaffected Angelino (A Crooked Line)."Darryl Purpose once made his living as a professional gambler, and, like all gamblers, he knows how to tell a good tale. That, plus his sharp eye for detail, his instinctive feel for hard-living, unsentimentalized characters, and his battle-hardened, but ultimately optimistic view of the world makes"A Crooked Line" one of the best recent collections of contemporary story songs."-Dirty Linen* TRAVELERS' CODE - Tangible Music, 1999Includes the sweet wedding song,"Ring On My Hand" (a duet with Lucy Kaplansky), the soul-baring"Child of Hearts" (with Ellis Paul), and a sweetly updated"Last Great Kiss of the 20th Century""Harry Chapin would be proud."~ Folk and Music Exchange'"Purpose takes the almost indescribably intense moments of life and brings them a step closer to comprehension..."~Mike Devlin - Music Matters Review * SAME RIVER TWICE (originally titled"darryl PURPOSE,") - Dec 1997Includes - Singer/Songwriter Heaven and Dangerous Game. Recorded in one take in the studio, this album highlights Darryl's dramatic guitar work, his expressive voice and his offbeat world view. With Daryl S. adding sweet and soulful touches on violin, this is an all-acoustic album that compels attention."...beautifully crafted literature set to wonderful melodies and presented with an uncommon mix of delicacy and grit. There isn't a filler song on this album"~Dale Barcellos, Bluegrass by the Bay" One of the best CD's of the year"~Cape Cod Times* RIGHT SIDE OF ZERO - Tangible Music, Dec 1995Purpose' first release includes The Island Song, I Will Run, Right Side of Zero , Don't Tear Down."a breath of fresh air in an overcrowded market"~Dirty Linen"Darryl's fine guitar work is evident throughout, especially on the instrumental, 'Rootwing,' which opens and closes the album. Combine that with his hypnotic voice and heartfelt words and 'Right Side of Zero' comes close to a perfect ten."~The Performing Songwriter