I am deeply honored to have contributed my composition Vajra Hero to the compilation album Epic Women- The Shero's Journey. The Epic Women project created an alliance with Warner Chappell Production Music Germany to release a group of epic music compositions correlating to the 12 steps of The Hero's Journey.
Donna's Musical Journey
Early Music Life
Donna was born into a musically gifted family, being the eldest of eight siblings. Her father, who earned a Ph.D. in Music Education and passed away in 2008, played a significant role in her musical upbringing. Her mother continues to grace church meetings and events with her beautiful voice and piano accompaniment.
Donna began piano lessons at the tender age of six and took formal lessons until she was fifteen. She also played the clarinet in school. Singing with her family at church and in the children's choir her father directed, Sunshine Inc., were early musical experiences that shaped her. At 13, she received a Fender Rhodes piano, marking a milestone in her musical journey. Her father formed a family band appropriately named "Family Affair" with Donna and her brothers, Lee and Barry.
Donna's first studio sessions occurred when she was twelve, and her collection of keyboards expanded to include a Mini Moog and Farfisa organ. A few years later, as a sophomore in high school, Donna's family band evolved to "Dakota" with the addition of singer-guitarist Randy Graves and saxophonist Arlen Card. The band kept busy performing at church and school dances. Donna also participated in acapella choir and musicals, played in bands with friends, and began writing her own music.
Out On Her Own
After graduating high school, Donna embarked on an adventurous new chapter by moving to Salt Lake City. With her keyboards left behind, she worked on signing and playing guitar. Donna found work with two concert promoters and at a popular pizza place where she auditioned to sing and play. Her time with the promoters allowed her to mingle with iconic bands like Heart, Boston, Jethro Tull, Rick Derringer, and other renowned acts passing through Salt Lake City.
One memorable night at the Terrace Ballroom, while working for JC McNeil and United Concerts, Donna spotted a guy with an Irish afro lying on an Anvil road case, covered with an organ quilt. She playfully shook his Converse high-tops and asked if he was alive. This was her serendipitous introduction to her future husband, Richard Williams, guitarist with the band KANSAS.
With her classical music background, Donna had always admired their music, especially after discovering the album "Masque" and then mastering "Song for America" on the piano. Following a long-distance romance with Rich while he was on tour, he flew her to NYC to attend the Platinum Party for "Leftoverture," hosted by Don Kirshner and CBS Records. Their love culminated in marriage in Utah on June 8th, coincidentally the anniversary of an infamous tornado that had struck his hometown of Topeka, Kansas, in 1966.
Leftoverture Platinum Party at Harkness Ballet Foundation, NYC.
KANSAS songs that Donna provided backing vocals for.
The Atlanta Years
During her marriage to Rich, Donna provided backing vocals on the albums Audio Visions, Vinyl Confessions, and Kerry Livgren's solo album Seeds of Change. During this period, she also performed with an exceptional group of Atlanta musicians in the progressive rock band Team Turbo. It was in this band that Donna met her songwriting partner of eight years, Brian Jobson. Together, they formed a prolific duo, writing and recording numerous songs. Donna's talent was recognized when she won a best song award from the Atlanta Songwriters Association for her composition "Captivated," which led to a friendship with one of the judges, Eddie Offord (producer for Yes, ELP, David Sancious, Dixie Dregs, 311).
Donna began licensing her music to other artists, and her late brother Rich Gibbons recorded four of her songs. One of these songs, co-written with him, titled "Always," made it onto Billboard's most added list in 1996. Donna performed with rock band WW III and collaborated both live and in the studio with Brian and producer/arranger/keyboardist Trammell Starks. She also enjoyed performing solo gigs, singing and playing at various venues, and had a side gig assisting other musicians with MIDI sequencing and production.
Donna singing with David Letterman Band at the Bottom Line in NYC.
Song written by Sammy Khan for Bette Midler that Donna provided the guide track for.
The Kansas City Years
In 1993, Donna moved to Kansas City to be with a boyfriend who was the editor of REP (Recording, Engineering, Production) magazine. This relationship exposed her to a lot of great music and helped her to build more knowledge about audio engineering. During that time, she met a group of extraordinary young musicians—Scott Hammer (guitar), Brian Berger (drums), and Brett Bettis (bass)—who had started the progressive rock band Synergy. Donna added her talents on keys and lead vocals, and she thrived musically, writing and performing original songs and progressive rock covers with these exceptional players.
While stage managing a live concert event for KCUR, the Kansas City NPR station, Donna met one of the owners of Kansas City Drumworks. They exchanged contact information, and a few months later, he invited her to sing and play keys with Joey Skidmore, an artist who had just recorded an album for Dixie Frog Records in France. During this project, Donna fell in love with and eventually married the drummer, (also a theatrical technician and artist).
During those years, Donna performed at many local events and venues with popular band Rare Form. She also performed and recorded jazz music with esteemed pianist Greg Richter and his trio, Serendipity. Donna, Greg, and the band became regulars at renowned jazz venues in Kansas City, such as Jardines and Plaza III.
When her dear brother Rich was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Donna decided to leave Kansas City and return to Utah to be with her family. Around that time, she and Serendipity were invited to perform at the opening of the new Gem Theater on 18th and Vine. Donna briefly returned to Kansas City for the event, where she, Greg, and the band were an opening act for jazz legends like Diane Reeves, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, and other greats. It was an incredible experience for her.
Donna rehearsing with the Joey Skidmore band.
Back to Salt Lake City
Shortly after moving back to Utah, Donna had a serendipitous encounter with a corporate technology customer who happened to be a bass player. He mentioned that he was part of a Frank Zappa tribute band and that they were searching for a keyboard player and vocalist. Having been a fan of Zappa's music for years, Donna recalled a hilarious conversation she once had with Frank at a party after the Mothers of Invention performed at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. Excited by the opportunity, she eagerly jumped at the chance to play his music, knowing the challenges it posed.
The Zappa tribute band, Chunga's Revenge, had been founded by Steve Auerbach, a talented musician and entrepreneur. Steve became a dear friend who extended numerous incredible musical opportunities to Donna over the years. The tribute band eventually toured with Ike Willis, Frank's singer and guitarist on over 25 Zappa albums from 1980 to 1993. It was a wild, fun, and unforgettable experience that Donna cherished.
Steve later invited Donna to join R&B/Funk band H Street, which featured incredible musicians including John Flanders, who had toured with Frank Zappa, and Tony Mason, formerly with Motown Records and bassist Fabian Martinez who she would end up playing with for 20+ years.
During this time Donna was given the opportunity to provide backup vocals for the song "Simplify This House" on her sister's album Without Disguise. Her sister is the internationally recognized vocalist Felicia Farerre, who at that time was performing under her married name, Felicia Sorenson. Donna's contributions extended beyond the studio, as she also played keys and provided vocals for various live performances, and vocal sessions.
In 2005, Donna received an exciting call from Steve. He shared that he was starting an after-school music program in Salt Lake City for the Paul Green School of Rock Music. Steve had attended the Zappanale festival in Germany, where he was blown away by talented kids performing with former members of The Mothers of Invention. Curious about their origins, he learned about Paul’s school in Philadelphia and was inspired to bring that same magic to Salt Lake City.
Steve had obtained permission to open a school and asked Donna if she would be interested in directing shows and providing music instruction. Donna eagerly seized the opportunity and became an integral part of this incredible program for 13 years. Teaching kids how to rock on stage and in life became one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life.
One of my favorite Yes songs was brought to life by talented School of Rock students during a prog rock show I had the privilege to direct. It has been so rewarding to see many of these young musicians pursue remarkable careers of their own in the music industry. Guitarist Maddie Rice who pinch hit as the singer for this performance went on to play with Stay Human, the house band for Stephen Colbert, and is now the guitarist for the SNL band. Other exceptional students that I worked with have also achieved success in their musical journeys.
While playing with H Street, Donna met skilled bass player Fabian Martinez and joined he and the great singer/guitar player James Turner in the local dance/hip hop/R&B/funk/party band TwentyFourVII. After being together for over 20 years the band rebranded themselves as Interstellar and in the midst of rehearsing Covid-19 hit the world. Donn is hoping they can regroup at some point when it can work for everyone.
Epic Voyage
Throughout many years of writing, much of the music Donna has created has been instrumental. She has always felt a deep connection to instrumental music, influenced by great artists such as Thomas Newman, Acoustic Alchemy, David Arkenstone, Phil Rey-Gibbons, Pat Metheny, Michael Hedges, Govind Vasantha, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Trammell Starks, and the late Brian Jobson.
Donna collaborated with Felicia Farerre and Phil Rey-Gibbons on an Epic Music project released through her company Emanate Music. she was deeply honored to contribute her song Vajra Hero to this collaborative work. The project showcased incredible women who create Epic Music and also donated 20% of royalties to the Children's of Ethiopia Education Fund, a nonprofit that supports the education of girls.
Donna has worked on a few more collaborations since the Epic Women Project. Petrichor (Feat Phil Rey-Gibbons) and Fate (Feat Axis and Phil Rey-Gibbons).