Coane, Rowell & Schabner

Coane, Rowell & Schabner (also occasionally referred to as “CR&S” or “The Country Law Firm of...”) is a trio consisting of  Danny Coane on acoustic rhythm guitar/vocals, Dave Rowell on electric bass/vocals and Don Schabner on electric lead guitar/vocals.  Their musical repertoire features vintage, classic country and some other material (originals, novelty tunes).  They use the “song swap” method of performance, moving from one member to the other with solo, duet and trio vocals.

These boys are friends and musical colleagues possessing many years of professional experience from performing in various musical groups. They first got together as a casual, informal trio in 2021 and quickly discovered their ability to deliver the goods off-the-cuff.  Their occasional personal appearances, without having any social media presence or recordings, resulted in audience interest and appreciation, making them in-demand for small venue and private party performances.

Montpelier native DANNY COANE first started playing professionally with his gig-paying high school rock band, The Jesters (1963-65), followed by being a member of such groups as Crossroads, The Slant Six Revue, the famous Throbulators, the Chrome Cowboys, the WDEV Radio Rangers and his longest-running and highly recognized band, The Starline Rhythm Boys.  Danny also played banjo in former bluegrass bands (Pine Island and Breakaway) and currently works with The VT Bluegrass Pioneers.  And although partially retired, he also keeps busy with a bunch of other non-musical work.

East Craftsbury native DAVE ROWELL is from a well-known and recognized generations-old farm family who were early settlers of Craftsbury/Albany and, also, a family with a lot of musical talent.  Besides co-owning a major real estate agency, being an ad salesman for WDEV/WLVB and an auctioneer, he has been involved as a bass player and singer for years in several well known bands which include The WDEV Radio Rangers, The Craftsbury Vibrations and Rick and the Ramblers.  Like a one-arm paper hanger, Dave’s one of the hardest workin’ guys around!

DON SCHABNER grew up on Long Island and started playing guitar around age 10. Although not having much formal training, he received good basic instruction from the studios of Mario Renda, as well as some advanced instruction later on from  top guitarists Sal Salvador, Sal LaPorta, and Allen Hanlon. He started general-business gigging at a young age and spent most of the next 20 years as a full-time working guitarist. When Don moved to Vermont in 2000, he had no intention of working as a musician; however, the vibrant creativity of the state’s music scene soon drew him in, and he’s now happier playing music than at any previous time. Working with a number of groups, Don reckons himself to be very fortunate to have accompanied the very best Vermont musicians in jazz, country, and various types of traditional music. He lives in Morristown and is retired from full-time work in the schools, the better to devote more time to his family, home, friends, and musical pursuits.  Don’s an incredibly gifted guitarist with tremendous ears and skills, plus he’s one of the nicest guys around.  It doesn’t get much better than Don Schabner on guitar!