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Da Vinci's Notebook

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Da Vinci's Notebook
Also known asDVN
OriginAlexandria, Virginia
GenresA cappella, comedy
Years active1993 (1993)–2004 (2004)
LabelsDa Vinci's Notebook, Uncle Buford Records
Past members

Da Vinci's Notebook (or simply DVN) was a comedic a cappella singing group. Former Artists-in-Residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, they performed specials on Comedy Central and PBS, and spent time as the "house band" on Washington radio's WBIG-FM. They were also regular guests on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom radio show.[1]

History

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Formation and first years (1993–1997)

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In Alexandria, Virginia, during the summer of 1993, Bernie Muller-Thym, Greg "Storm" DiCostanzo, Paul Sabourin and Richard Hsu banded together to join a six-man a cappella group that was advertised in the Washington City Paper. Muller-Thym, DiCostanzo, and Sabourin met through the newspaper ad, while Hsu was a friend of DiConstanzo from the University of Maryland. The six-man group did not last and would disband soon after. Muller-Thym, DiCostanzo, Sabourin, and Hsu would then form Da Vinci's Notebook. Bass singer Jay Jones would join later in the year, singing with the group until 1994.[1][2][3]

Da Vinci's Notebook made their debut at the 1994 Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes, where they came in third place.[4] In 1997, they came back and won the competition.[5]

In 1995, the group self-released their debut cassette EP Somebody Else's Greatest Hits,[6] featuring covers of popular songs.

Bendy's Law (1997)

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Da Vinci's Notebook released their first full-length studio album, Bendy's Law, in 1997, featuring guest appearances by Richard Greene and Joe Finetti of The Bobs, as well as by the band Moxy Früvous.[7]

The Life and Times of Mike Fanning (1999-2001)

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The group's second full-length album, The Life and Times of Mike Fanning, was released on December 1, 1999.[8] The album was produced by Richard Greene, who additionally provided vocals and previously made a guest appearance on "Bendy's Law".[8][9] Other guest performances include Ball in the House and Michael Clem, Eddie Hartness, and Julie Murphy Wells from Eddie from Ohio. The Life and Times of Mike Fanning occasionally utilizes musical instruments as part of the backing tracks, which was new to the group's albums.[10]

Around this time, the group would also quit their day jobs to perform full time. Prior to performing full time, Hsu was a system engineer, Sabourin was a graphic specialist at a law firm, Muller-Thym was an accountant, and DiCostanzo was a financial analyst.[1][9] The Washington Post made several articles about them during and after the release of The Life and Times of Mike Fanning.

"Enormous Penis", rise in popularity and Brontosaurus (2001-2002)

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In 2001, the song "Enormous Penis" was released as the group's first and only single.[11] Around this time, interest in the band spiked as they began to get played on the syndicated Bob and Tom radio show. The appearance on the show led to high demand for the single.[11] Their signature songs played on the show included "Another Irish Drinking Song", "Ally McBeal", "Enormous Penis", "Liposuction", "Face Like Billy Joel" and "Title of the Song".[3] "Enormous Penis" remains Da Vinci's Notebook's most popular song.

The group would release their final album, Brontosaurus, in the following year, which included "Enormous Penis". It was produced by Richard Greene, who had previously produced The Life and Times of Mike Fanning. Guest appearances include Eddie Hartness and Robbie Schaefer of Eddie from Ohio, Valerie Vigoda from GrooveLily, and a cappella singer-songwriter Sean Altman.[11]

The newfound popularity brought by the Bob and Tom Show would bring more critics and fans to the album, with the album releasing to positive reviews.[12][13][14][15] The album was the band's final full release before disbanding in 2004.

Final years, disbandment, and legacy (2002-present)

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The group toured, locally and nationally, for ten years.[16] Highlights included some of the most prestigious folk venues and festivals on the East Coast, such as the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.

In 2004, the band stopped touring and regular performances.[17] Two of the members, Sabourin and DiCostanzo, then hit the road as a musical duo dubbed Paul and Storm. Da Vinci's Notebook will still perform together on occasion for corporate shows.[as of?]

In addition to their albums, Da Vinci's Notebook also recorded a track called "The Ballad of The Sneak" for the Homestar Runner cartoon website.[18] This song was credited to the entire group, though it was only written and performed by Paul and Storm.

In 2013, the group's song "Another Irish Drinking Song" was featured in the film Despicable Me 2, with new lyrics in the language of the Minions.[19]

Members

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  • Paul Sabourin - tenor
  • Richard Hsu - tenor, keyboard
  • Greg "Storm" DiCostanzo - baritone
  • Bernie Muller-Thym - bass (vocal), guitar
  • Jay Jones - bass (1993–1994)

Discography

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  • Somebody Else's Greatest Hits (1995)
  • Bendy's Law (1997)
  • The Life and Times of Mike Fanning (1999)
  • Brontosaurus (2002)
  • Ballad of The Sneak (2003)

Awards and nominations

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Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1994 Da Vinci's Notebook Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes 3rd[4]
1997 Da Vinci's Notebook Mid-Atlantic Harmony Sweepstakes Won[5]

Washington DC Area Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2000 Da Vinci's Notebook Best Rock/Pop Group Nominated[20]
2002 Da Vinci's Notebook Best A Cappella Group Won[21]
2002 Brontosaurus Best A Cappella Recording Won[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "A Brief History". Archived from the original on 8 February 2006.
  2. ^ "Nightwatch". Archived from the original on 23 June 2003.
  3. ^ a b "Da Vinci's Notebook - The Bob & Tom Show". Archived from the original on 1 August 2001.
  4. ^ a b "1994 Mid-Atlantic Champions". Harmony Sweepstakes. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b "1997 Mid-Atlantic Champions". Harmony Sweepstakes. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  6. ^ "A Brief History". Archived from the original on 29 January 1998.
  7. ^ "Merchandise Mart". Archived from the original on 20 February 1999.
  8. ^ a b Da Vinci's Notebook. "Da Vinci's Notebook Creates Wondrous New Musical "Disc"" (PDF). The Smirking Gherkin. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2003.
  9. ^ a b "Guided by Voices". Archived from the original on 23 June 2003.
  10. ^ Da Vinci's Notebook. "Ask Bendy" (PDF). The Smirking Gherkin. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2003.
  11. ^ a b c "Merchandise Mart". Archived from the original on 10 August 2002.
  12. ^ Brontosaurus, p. 50, at Google Books
  13. ^ Guaitamacchi, Ezio (September 2002). "JAM Magazine #85". JAM Magazine. Italy. Archived from the original on 23 June 2003.
  14. ^ "Brontosaurus". Archived from the original on 24 June 2003.
  15. ^ ""Brontosaurus," Da Vinci's Notebook". Archived from the original on 17 September 2002.
  16. ^ Rogovoy, Seth (18 February 2003). "Da Vinci's Notebook fills doctor's prescription". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  17. ^ "Looking for Da Vinci's Notebook?". Paul and Storm. 20 February 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  18. ^ "Ballad of The Sneak". Homestar Runner Wiki. 23 June 2003. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  19. ^ "Despicable We, Too". Paul and Storm. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  20. ^ "2000 Wammies Nominations". Archived from the original on 24 June 2003.
  21. ^ a b "2002 Wammies Nominations". Archived from the original on 5 June 2003.
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