Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Surf's Up

What is it with surfer dudes turned musicians? Much like acoustic-pop heartthrob Jack Johnson before him, Donavon Frankenreiter traded his board for a six-string and sought his fortunes as a traveling troubadour. But unlike Johnson, Frankenreiter prefers substance to schmaltz, as evidenced by his latest effort, Pass It Around, released on legendary Lost Highway Records. With help from luminaries such as songwriter Thad Cockrell, Ben Harper and Whiskeytown’s Mike Daly, the album has been hailed as a tour de force and the realization of the tunesmith’s limitless potential. Catch him at the Higher Ground Ballroom Wednesday, October 22, with former Nickel Creek chanteuse Sara Watkins.