Danny Davis, 83, Massachusetts native, Grammy-winning band leader

DANNY DAVIS

NASHVILLE - Danny Davis, a Grammy-winning band leader and record producer who blended swing music with a country style, died Thursday, his publicist said. He was 83.

Mr. Davis, a trumpet player and singer, suffered a heart attack June 7 and had been hospitalized since then, publicist Betty Hofer said.

Mr. Davis, whose real name was George Nowlan, was born in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood and raised in Randolph. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music.

As a teen, he went on the road with jazz drummer Gene Krupa and later played or sang in big bands led by Freddy Martin, Les Brown, Sammy Kaye, Bob Crosby, and Art Mooney.

Mr. Davis formed the Nashville Brass in 1968 after a career with big bands and as a record producer.

The group won a Grammy award in 1969 for best country instrumental performance for "The Nashville Brass Featuring Danny Davis Play More Nashville Sounds."

The band also won the Country Music Association's instrumental group of the year award from 1969 through 1974.

Ranging from seven to 11 members, the band toured extensively for more than two decades, recorded more than 30 albums, and appeared on numerous TV shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "The Red Skelton Show."

Mr. Davis and the band put country music together with symphony orchestras during appearances in many cities. The band also entertained in Europe and played at the inaugurations of Presidents Nixon and Reagan.

In 1977, Mr. Davis joined with Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer for the album "Chet, Floyd and Danny."

Performing solo, Mr. Davis played trumpet on the long-running TV show "Hee Haw" as part of the program's "Million Dollar Band."

For MGM Records in New York, he produced records by pop singer Connie Francis in the mid-1960s and was credited with discovering Herman's Hermits.

He later became a producer for RCA Records in Nashville working under Atkins. Mr. Davis produced the Grammy-winning "MacArthur Park" in 1969 recorded by Waylon Jennings.

He leaves his wife, two daughters, and two sons.