This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

'Full Fledged Unit' Ready to Rock Into Independence Day

Meet Morgan Donahue, who's band plays at Dunedin Smokehouse tonight.

Name: Morgan Donahue

Hometown: Ebeneezer, Ky.

Time in Dunedin: one year

Find out what's happening in Dunedinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Band: Full Fledged Unit

Keys to Awesomeness: Donahue is skilled in a variety of string instruments, but mainly plays bass in the local Dunedin band, Full Fledged Unit. He's a familiar face around Dunedin, including the , where he tends bar. Donahue, who grew up in a small Kentucky town with a population of 95, has lived in Florida for six years.He recently started calling Dunedin his home.

Find out what's happening in Dunedinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

How did you get your start with music?

"In the third grade, a program called the Heritage Area String Program came to my school in Mercer County, Ky., giving a presentation featuring the violin, viola, cello and bass. I took a flyer home to my parents, and told them I wanted to play the bass. After a long conversation establishing that I would practice every day for at least one year, they agreed to rent me a contra bass. About three weeks later, I arrived home from school to find this thing in the front room more than twice my size and heavy. Bear in mind I was 8 and only three feet tall, and had to stand on a wooden Coke crate in order to play. I soon realized that when I was saying the word 'bass,' I actually meant the word cello. Well, I had already made a promise, so I had to stand by it. It wasn’t until years later that I shared the story with my parents. I have been playing the bass ever since with no regrets."

Where can people hear your music?

"My band, Full Fledged Unit, plays at places like the Daiquiri Deck, Coasters, , , Strokers and other venues."

What keeps you doing it?

"Whenever I am performing, I become almost a different person. I am entirely captured by the music around me. Any pain or drama that is going on in my life is lifted from my shoulders leaving me to be whomever or whatever I choose. I can be a punk or a blues man, a rocker or a balladeer. Music is freedom. Music is any and everything."

What or who are some of your influences?

"I began studying orchestral music at first, so I have a heavy influence from the greats, including Beethoven. He broke the rules of the time and music theory has since incorporated his ideas into doctrine. I also grew up listening to what you might call “baby boomer” music. The Beatles, Doors, Santana, Moody Blues, Rolling Stones, Gordon Lightfoot, John Prine, Crosby Stills and Nash — and Young, too, — Jimmy Hendrix, and so on. Most recently, I have been heavily influenced by artists such as Tom Waits, The Skatalites, Toots and the Maytals, Les Claypool, Social Distortion, and many others that Full Fledged Unit has melded into our set list."

How has social networking played a part?

"I have met a few musicians online, and I suppose that Facebook has really helped bring people out to shows and also allowed them to post pictures and videos of the band for others to enjoy."

What advice would you give to someone just getting their start with music?

"The best advice that I can offer is pay your dues. Like anything, music takes practice. Don't be discouraged when things don't immediately fall into place, whether it be a song you're trying to learn, or a gig you're trying to book. With time it will come. Just build your chops and keep your ears open.Make sure to expose yourself to all kinds of music. It will aid you in the end."

Catch Donahue and Full Fledged Unit today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Dunedin Smokehouse. The Smokehouse will be offering drink and barbecue specials.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?