#the donny nova band

[the-cryptid-finch]

Me trying to explain Bandstand to anyone: A family isn't always your blood. It isn't just a mother and a father. Sometimes a family is a depressed bisexual war veteran, the widow of his best friend, an alcoholic double bass player who likes Shakespeare, a drummer with memory problems, a gay lawyer who likes checkered trousers, a divorced dad of two who has OCD and a trumpet player with anger issues.

Literally anyone else:...what?

#bandstand #bandstand the musical #bandstand broadway #bandstand musical #donny nova band #donny novitski #the donny nova band #johnny simpson #jimmy campbell #davy zlatic #nick radel #wayne wright

[joyfulsoda]

THE EPILOGUE FOR BANDSTAND GOES OVER A SPAN OF AT LEAST FOUR YEARS? HELLO?

The beginning scene takes place a year after the events of the radio contest. We know Act One and the majority of Act Two (everything but the Epilogue) take place in 1945, so that means the Epilogue starts in '46 (see image below).

But we suddenly jump forward FOUR YEARS to not only when The Rainbow Room has opened again, but they've ALREADY PERFORMED THERE?

That's it. That's the post. The band is still together after, like, five+ years. This is fine. This didn't make me almost start crying out of happiness. (<- complete and utter sarcasm.)

The band is so happy together... Oh, they're such a found family...

#bandstand #bandstand musical #the donny nova band #broadway #musical #musicals #donny novitski #julia trojan #jimmy campbell #davy zlatic #nick radel #wayne wright #johnny simpson #they make my heart happy

[the-river-rix]

Johnny Simpson edit

#bandstand #bandstand broadway #donny novitski #wayne wright #donny nova band #julia trojan #bandstand musical #johnny simpson #nick radel #jimmy campbell #davy zlatic #bandstand hcs #the donny nova band #bandstand deserved better #bandstand bway #lemon demon #amnesia was her name #Johnny Simpson is so silly I adore him

[followingthefanfiction]

I love how Donny Nova is just constantly looking a step away from sobbing he really is a pathetic wet cat of a man isn’t he but he’s being so brave about it

#bandstand broadway #band family #bandstand musical #bandstand #donny novitski #the donny nova band #donny nova

[baura-bear]

I love the idea of The Donny Nova band getting black listed in the 50s during the red scare for being supposed communists

Jimmy and Davy are both like “I mean, we are communists”

Julia and Donny are shitting their pants thinking it’s the end of the world

Nick and Wayne are pissed off because they “didn’t sign up for this”

And Johnny has no clue what the fuck is going on

#bandstand musical #bandstand #bandstand broadway #the donny nova band

[claireverlasting]

Rip the Donny Nova Band, you would’ve love epiphany by Taylor Swift

#seriously #the donny nova band #bandstand

[kingofbr00klyn]

GUESS WHATS BACK BESTIES

AA AAHHHHHHHHHHH

#AWHDBWNKANDLWKS ROWO BANDSTAND #I HAVE BEEN COUNTING DOWN YHE DAYS UNTIL IT CAME BACL AND ITS HEREEEEEEEEEE #also I haven’t paid for it yet but I can still watch it??? i dunno how BroadwayonDemand works but is that supposed to happen #i had to pay again the other times it was shown #oh well I mean I’m not going to question it I mean I’m broke I have no money so #:D #bandstand #bandstand broadway #bandstand musical #bandstand my beloved #the donny nova band #nick radel #donny nova #donny novitski #julia trojan #wayne wright #jimmy campbell #Davy Zlatic #Johnny Simpson #shut up connor

[lonelylittledot]

great things about Bandstand (feel free to add your own)

"it's radio, what does it matter?

Laura's high notes

"consider that an order, you screwy nutcase"

Davy's jokes

"sing because you just need to sing"

literally every second Beth Leavel is on stage

"don't. teach."

Jimmy's little glasses

"No, that’s shitty. Irksome is your use of the word irksome"

Corey's awkward little laugh

"wait... I gotta transpose"

Julia clutching Donny's jacket in This Is Life

"...what day of the week is Sunday?"

Donny's continuous disdain for Frank Sinatra

"it's a good thing you're one of the best, because putting up with you is an endurance test"

Johnny dancing with Julia

"and I'm never allowed to admit there is nothing remotely heroic about it"

all of Julia's waredrobe

"And stop picking up my clothes! If I wanted them in the drawer, I'd put them in the drawer!" (bonus: Wayne trying to hide his smile)

"dO i NoT kNoW TeLL mE tHE niGhT"

Wayne being a Donny x Julia shipper

"it's a solo, it's selfish by definiton!"

"you know, there’s a fine line between jazz and bad"

"this is life with the craziness of, the reality of, the necessity of being madly in love with you"

#bandstand #bandstand musical #corey cott #laura osnes #beth leavel #broadway #musical theatre #donny nova band #watch bandstand pls #it's so underrated

[bealrightfortherestofyourlife]

rip the donny nova band you would have loved too late by the happy fits

#it just makes me think of them idk #bandstand #donny novitski #julia adams #donny nova band

[ctrsbookshelf]

i miss bandstand:(((

#bandstand the musical #donny nova band #donny novitski #davy zlatic #johhny simpson #nick radel #wayne #julia trojan #jimmy

[thisphantomlife]

Songs Hozier has covered

Bowie - Changes, Young Americans (see also Trinity Orchestra section)

Prince - I Wanna Be Your Lover, Raspberry Beret, Jungle Love

James Carr - The Dark End Of The Street

The Beatles - Blackbird

John Lennon (Donny Hathaway version) - Jealous Guy (at the goldenplec block party with Zaska)

Ariana Grande - Problem

Warren G - Regulate (mashup with Problem)

James Blake - Retrograde

Tom Waits - Strange Weather

Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love

Stevie Wonder - Living for the City, As

Sting - 7 Days

The BeeGees - To Love Somebody

Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (that thing)

Amerie - One Thing

Skip James - Illinois Blues

Muddy Waters - Catfish Blues

Van Morrison - Caravan, Sweet Thing, Domino, Brown Eyed Girl, Saint Dominic’s Preview

Bill Withers - Ain’t No Sunshine

Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know

Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry

Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love

Fun - We Are Young

Paul Simon - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Sam Smith - Lay Me Down

Destiny’s Child - Say My Name

Britney Spears - Toxic (snippet)

The Band - The Weight

Otis Rush version of Willie Dixon and the Big Three Trio - My Love Will Never Die

The Talking Heads - Burning Down the House (Instagram live messing around with friends)

The Staple Singers - Let’s Do it Again

The Weather Forecast 🤪

Ed Lewis - I Be So Glad When the Sun Goes Down (Instagram snippet)

Mavis Staples - Eyes on the Prize

Jackie Wilson - (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher

The Meters - Just Kissed My Baby

Christmas Songs - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Winter Wonderland, Santa Claus is Coming to Town (with others at the Xmas Eve Ball 2015)

Traditional Irish songs - My Lagan Love, The Humours of Whiskey, I Am Stretched On Your Grave, The Rolling Wave (on the low whistle), The Parting Glass, The Lonely Jig (on the low whistle)

(Live) Collabs - that are not Andrew’s own songs

Alvin Youngblood Hart - Illinois Blues

Maren Morris - The Bones, My Church, Girl, The Tree

Annie Lennox - I Put a Spell on You (Screamin Jay Hawkins cover)

Tom Odell - Another Love

Noah Kahan - Northern Attitude

Allison Russell - Requiem, Stop Dragging My Heart Around (Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty cover)

Brandi Carlile - The Joke, Walk On (U2 cover), The Weight (The Band cover)

Jamala - Walk On (U2 cover)

Mavis Staples - The Weight (The Band cover), Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (with Our Native Daughters, Jason Isbell and Phil Cook)

Boygenius - Salt in the Wound

Alana Henderson - Ae Fond Kiss (poem by Robert Burns)

U2 - When Love Comes to Town

Tori Kelly - Blackbird (the Beatles cover)

Mumford and Sons - Guiding Light, Awake My Soul, With a Little Help From My Friends (Beatles cover, with other artists)

Lake Street Dive - Everyday People (Sly and the Family Stone cover)

Rachael Price - Rental Love

Victoria Canal - Swan Song

Elwood (his dog) - Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (Elton John and Kiki Dee cover, Insta snippet)

All the artists at Love Rocks NYC 2022 - Like A Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan cover), Feeling Alright (Traffic cover)

Brian Kennedy (and others) - I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free (Nina Simone cover)

His Dad - The Weight (The Band cover at MSG)

Zaska, Wyvern Lingo, Loah - Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder cover)

Eabha McMahon - Bright Blue Rose (Jimmy McCarthy cover)

Christmas Eve Busk 2015

Bono, Glen Hansard - When Love Comes to Town, Every Breaking Wave

Glen Hansard, Imelda May - The Dark End of the Street (James Carr cover)

Christmas Eve Busk 2017

Glen Hansard, Coronas, Imelda May, Liam O Maonlaoi - So This is Christmas (John Lennon cover), The Aul Triangle

Music Groups

Nova Collective - (original songs) Tuile, Closer, Quick Bossa

Zaska - (original songs) In Your Own Sweet Time, Different Light, She Gunk Gunk Dunk A Funk, Oh Yeah

Anuna - with Andrew on lead vocals: The Raid, La Chanson de Mardi Gras. With Andrew in the choir: Jingle Bells, An Uaithne

The Wiggles - Cherry Tree Carol with Anuna

Trinity Orchestra - songs covered with Andrew on lead vocals

~ Queen - Somebody To Love, Don’t Stop Me Now

~ Arcade Fire - My Body is a Cage

~ Pink Floyd - Time, Breathe, Comfortably Numb, Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Money

~ Michael Jackson - Earth Song, Black or White, Smooth Criminal

~ David Bowie - Heroes

*This list may not be complete. It only contains songs that can be found online.

Please let me know if any songs are missing so I can add them 🫶

I’ve not included the songs he sang snippets of on that Song Association interview

#hozier #hozier covers #hozier collabs #list of songs Hozier has covered

[the-cryptid-finch]

Have I mentioned how much I love Jimmy Campbell recently

#bandstand #bandstand broadway #bandstand musical #the donny nova band #jimmy campbell #donny novitski #julia trojan #wayne wright #nick radel

[joyfulsoda]

what are your thoughts on Johnny Simpson. Any thoughts. All of your thoughts.

I have. Many thoughts on him. He's probably one of the more complex members of the band, in my mind. There are obviously the more apparent parts of his character, the stuff we see and hear on the surface, but I personally think that he's got a lot more going on under the surface.

I'm still working on my character study for him, as medical issues and brain injuries tend to have a lot of variation. To me, his back symptoms largely reflect high-grade spondylolisthesis, something that can be caused by car accidents and of which the surgical procedures (spinal fusion in this case) had high post-operation complaints according to an article I read based on a survey done in 1944. (Granted, the article was about a different physical disability, not spondylolisthesis, but the procedure itself is still spinal fusion). This, of course, gives him back pain, as well as making him more cautious when sitting and squatting down. He also tends to stand with a straight back and, interestingly enough, opts for bending at the knees rather than leaning over (something you can see when he's fixing Donny up during A Band in New York City). The only times we see him slouch a significant amount are when he's sitting (during Breathe, after First Steps First, etc.) Additionally, even when Donny is slouched over when turning the piano during Breathe, Johnny remains upright. I think that's neat. Furthermore, even when Johnny gets to his feet after the first section of Breathe, he gets up with a straight back, has to support himself with his hands, and does it much slower than Davy, who gets up in the same way (he's holding a flask, so it makes sense for him to get up this way). The pattern is the same after First Steps First when Julia leaves- straight back, both hands helping him up, and slowly.

As for his brain, I personally think that a coup-contrecoup injury fits best. It's caused from one's brain hitting the inside of the skull at various places, and this causes symptoms that reflect Johnny's behavior if his frontal and temporal lobes were the ones impacted by the Jeep crash. Coup-contrecoup injuries to those two places have symptoms such as memory loss (anterograde amnesia), difficulty concentrating, and dysarthria, or slowness of speech. I think Johnny is a BRILLIANT man when it comes to numbers, though, which would make sense considering that the parietal lobe is where calculations take place; it's just that he may have difficulty remembering numbers just as a lot of other things due to damage to the frontal lobe. Additionally, although the frontal lobe does have jurisdiction on music-related processes, it is entirely possible that the trauma only impacted the dominant part of his frontal lobe, as the non-dominant part of the brain is the one responsible for musical and creative endeavors.

As for his personality, I really, really do think it's interesting. Johnny goes through chronic pain day after day, and despite all of that, he is still an incredibly kind person. And not only that, but he's pretty quiet, relatively speaking. He tends to watch things happen, but pipes up when he has something important to say or a joke to tell. This could just be due to the show's writing, but I really do think it's a semi-intended part of his character. It's a little difficult for me to articulate, but there are moments in the show when other things will be going on and as opposed to talking with the other guys, Johnny will just be watching something else happening. One moment I noticed this happening was during Donny's phone call to Ms. Adams just before Everything Happens- while we can see the other guys in the background, talking, Johnny is simply standing and watching Donny. Waiting for an update on Julia, presumably, and this would make sense considering how good of friends Johnny and Julia seem to be. Davy and Nick join him, but only after Wayne and Jimmy break off to go and talk to the Lakewood Supper Club lady. There's the moment in Breathe, too, where he's watching Julia and Donny whilst leaning on the piano, but I figured I would bring up another point in the show for the sake of supporting my theory that he demonstrates quietness throughout the show. Again, of course he talks, and of course he makes jokes, but he does tend to just... watch things sometimes. And I think that's neat, because usually when I think of drumset players, they are loud as HELL, and it's kind of a common trope I see throughout media where the percussionist in a band will be the loud, rowdy one- something I think I've only seen broken with Kim from SPVTW.

I probably have a lot more to say about him, but I can't think of what it might be right now. If you'd like to know a few things I think about him specifically, feel free to ask! :) I'm just bad at thinking of stuff to say on a broad topic, even if it's just about one person/character.

#bandstand #bandstand musical #musicals #broadway #musical #the donny nova band #johnny simpson

[the-river-rix]

Bandstand is haunting me again I fear

#bandstand #the donny nova band #I’ll never be over this show #or how much they were robbed at the 2017 tonys for that matter #everything about the direction and orchestration and performances makes me insane #audhd #bandstand bway

[acefictionwriting]

May I have a crumb of Donny Nova content?? Like a little first date drabble?? I promise I will be Very Normal and can be trusted with Bandstand content in 2024 🥺

My first ask!!!! From someone I definitely do not know since they’re anonymous and have not been thanking all night in discord!! I hope this is alright Anon!! Btw Donny is annoying here but he’s always like that so 👍🏻

Donny Nova knew what fear was. He spent Three Years and Eight months experiencing the worst sort of fear known to man. SURELY that meant he could ask out his crush. That’s what he told himself.

He told himself that it would be easier than he thought. That if half the band (David) could have a new date every night, surely he could go on one. You clearly liked him, despite being way too shy to say so, so he thought he would take the chance.

You worked at the bar they were playing at, so right after the last set, he said goodbye to the guys and walked over to you. He ignored David cheering, and Johnny’s sincere (but too loud) encouragement. He ignored everything to focus on actually walking over to you.

There you were, waiting tables and looking like heaven as you did every night. Which is to say it nearing 11 pm and you were a mess from working all day, and he still saw you as beauty itself.

“Hiya!” Donny said, in his usual greeting. You notice his voice is a shred higher than normal today, and he clears his throat in surprise at his own voice.

“Hi Donny! I’m just finishing my shift, you played great tonight! Really helped me get through the work.”

“Glad to hear it. Say… are you free tomorrow?”

“What? Why are you asking?”

“Well I just. I mean. We have a set tomorrow at The Blue Whisp, at seven. Do you wanna come?”

His thoughts were racing, did he just ask you out? He couldn’t believe he actually did that.

“I see you preform almost every night, Donny…”

shit.

“Well I was also wondering if you wanted to get dinner there after. They have pretty good sliders there, I know you like those… and maybe a drink after?

“Oh… Donny, are you asking me out?”

There was a pause, he was nervous about outright saying it. He was a music celebrity, but he didn’t compare to you. What if you said no?? He had to go for it though, another moment without being going steady with him was too many moments.

“I mean. Yeah.” He said, hoping that didn’t sound too awkward. It did, however, sound terribly awkward.

You also paused, momentarily unsure how to react.

”Alright then, I’ll see you there, Mister Nova.”

He thought he would burst right there.

The next night, you dressed up and went to The Blue Whisp. Donny had stressed all night over what to wear, and how to tell you how beautiful you were, because you were always beautiful. His hands were shaking all day with his nerves, and the band kept teasing him, asking him if he would be able to make it through the set. Thankfully, Wayne had his back, and managed to keep most of Davy’s taunting at bay.

He saw you, of course. It took him halfway through the set, but he saw you there in the crowd. He almost fumbled the verse, luckily it was a song about you, so it was hard to mess up with you in front of him when it was just all the things he wanted to say to you. He hoped you knew it was about you.

After the set, he sat down to eat with you. His hands were still shaking. You both ate your sliders, making semi-awkward conversation, with pauses that were both awkward and comfortable. Donny thought that felt right, to be awkward and just right at the same time. It was a first date after all. You both talk mainly about you, your likes, your dislikes, everything he could think to ask you that seemed ok for a first date. Donny did his best to talk about himself, and you were kind in the questions you asked, keeping them surface level. You knew Donny hated thinking about his life at all, even things as small as his favorite color were difficult to pry from him. You made note of this in slight teasing, and he finally laughed. You could always make him smile. When dinner was over, he had a plan. First, he glanced back at the stage to make sure the boys had left, he had had enough teasing from them tonight. Everyone had left except Johnny and Davy, who were at the bar together trying to get the attention of a waitress. With everyone else out of the way, he grabbed your hand and led you backstage, which was something few people got to see. It was messy and barren, but he led you right to his piano.

“Do you know how to play?”

Teaching the girl how to play piano was one of the oldest romantic tricks in the book right?

“Yeah, I actually do!” You said excitedly.

Well there goes that plan. He stared at you, absolutely astounded.

“You- you know how to play?”

“I just said I did Donny. But it’s been a while since I played.”

You took a seat at the piano as he continued staring at you in shock. He eventually stumbled over to you as you started playing one of your favorite songs. He couldn’t believe he found a girl like you, who could play just like he could. His ego said he was better than anyone but his heart said he could listen to you for hours.

Having a professional piano player watch you made you incredibly nervous. Your finger slipped, you hit one wrong note, and your hands flinched back. You immediately put them in your lap and nervously picked at your fingers.

“Oh. Like I said, it’s been a while since I practiced. Sorry-“

“What? What do you mean? That was great! I mean you could probably replace me with a little practice.”

”What- no, Donny, I-“

”Yeah, you just need practice. You know what scoot over. I’ll practice with you.”

Before you could protest, Donny had slid next you on the bench. He smiled at you and played a few keys.

“Come on, just copy me.”

“Donny I don’t think-“

“No, I could see it in your eyes earlier, you love to do this. And you did really well! Just practice with me. One song! Just one song and I’ll let it go!”

You sighed, knowing that when don’t got excited like this he wouldn’t stop. That’s why Julia joined the band in the first places. Actually it’s why most people in the band did. He was relentless.

“Fine. One song, and that’s it Donny!”

He was so glad you were letting him get a way with this, because he really thought you wouldn’t. He was desperate to hear you play again and with how nervous you were he didn’t know if you would without a little prodding.

For the rest of the night, Donny sat with you, and played at the lower end while you mimicked his playing. As the night went on, you opened up, laughing and getting more excited to play. His energy and enthusiasm were infectious. Sometimes, his hands would hold yours as he showed you proper hand placement. You both blushed at that, but he pretended he wasn’t, despite it being more visible everytime you mentioned it.

“You are… astonishing. I mean- wow! You.. you really have talent.”

He showered you in compliments like those all night. You were worthy of every one of them.

Eventually, the bar did have to close. Donny walked you home, wanting you to be safe. He also wanted to be a gentleman after you endured his more… persistent and difficult side. He wasn’t always like that, and he wanted you to know it. You walked in a very comfortable silence this time, less like dinner and more like a silence you would be ok with having everyday of your life if you could.

“Thank you, for walking me home, Donny.” You said, turning to face him as you approached your front door.

“Oh, well. Thank you for letting me. I know I was a bit, uh, pushy earlier.” He made sure not to swear around a lady. He was really trying his best to be his best self for you.

“Well, you have me a wonderful night, Donny, even if you were pushy.”

Oh thank god, he thought.

“However-”

oh no.

“It means that you still owe me a good date Donny. Care to go on another Saturday?”

This was one of many times that night you had made his jaw drop. He had lost count. You were just too astounding. Too understanding. Too wonderful. Too perfect. How did you exist?

“Donny?”

“YEAH. Um. Yeah! Yeah absolutely we can do that. I mean if you want-”

“I’m asking you, Donny. Of course I want a second date.”

“Right, yeah. I mean obviously you do. B Because you asked I mean.”

“Right. Well Donny, I think it’s time to say goodnight…”

”yeah…”

There it was again. That silence that was awkward and perfect at the same time. Then you did something he really didn’t expect. Just as he went to turn around and leave, you kissed him. He gasped, and froze in place. He turned around to look at you and ask if you really did that, but all he saw was your door closing and a brief flash of a bright red face darting inside,

He smiled. He really couldn’t believe he found a girl as good as you.

#Donny Nova x Reader #Donny Novitski x reader #bandstand x reader

[baura-bear]

Why isn’t the bandstand fandom bigger :( the proshot is literally free on YouTube plz join me in reviving this fandom I want people to talk about my fave fictional veterans with

#bandstand musical #Donny nova band #donny novitski #bandstand broadway