He was a singer-songwriter and producer born Donald W. Gant in the United States. Beginning his career in music in the late 1950s/early 1960s he released several singles including his 1962 "Daydream (Of You)", his 1963 "Barbara" and his 1965 "High Hoss Baby". In the latter half of the 1960s he became a co-founder of The Neon Philharmonic with Tupper Saussy and together they recorded two albums and released five singles, including their chart entry "Morning Girl" in 1969. Basing himself in Nashville, Tennesee he took up writing for the Acuff-Rose Music company where he would sometimes collaborate with Joe Melson. Also branching out into production he worked for singers that included Merle Haggard, J.D. Loudermilk, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Bobby Braddock, Roy Orbison , The Newbeats, Lefty Frizzell and Carl Mann, in time deciding to take up a position with ABC Records. Albums he appeared on during his career include The Moth Confesses by The Neon Philharmonic, A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean, Living and Dying in 3/4 Time, A1A and Havana Daydreamin' by Jimmy Buffett , Kenny by Kenny Rogers , Nashville was the Roughest by Willie Nelson, Jesus was a Capricorn by Kris Kristofferson, Sonny Rocks by Sonny James, Heart Never Lies by Michael Martin Murphey, Victim of Life's Circumstances by Delbert McClinton, Summer (The First Time) by Bobby Goldsboro. In the movies his songs have been heard on the soundtracks of the 2001 Last Orders and the 1985 Running Mates. Sadly and unexpectedly he died in Nashville in 1987 when he was just 44 years old.

Jimmy Buffett recordings

Havana Daydreamin' (Jimmy Buffett )

Sources: