Donavon Frankenreiter, born December 10, 1972, in Downey, California, began surfing professionally at age 16 and started playing guitar around the same time. He formed the band Sunchild in 1996, serving as lead guitarist with a 1970s rock sound akin to The Black Crowes; the group released Barefoot & Live (1997) and California Honey (2000) before disbanding in 2001. Frankenreiter launched his solo career with the self-titled debut album in 2004 on Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records, which charted in Australia's ARIA Top 40; subsequent releases include Move by Yourself (2006, Lost Highway), featuring the track 'Lovely Day' used in Snakes on a Plane, and Pass It Around (2008). His music draws from rock, surf, folk, blues, and funk influences, often reflecting a laid-back vibe shaped by his surfing background. In live performances, he plays as the Donavon Frankenreiter Band, delivering soulful sets in concert halls worldwide.