Tonka Trucks and Tinker Toys

The songwriting duo of Bill Dann and Jack Servello have announced the release of a new nostalgic Christmas song, “Tonka Trucks and Tinker Toys”. The song was inspired by Bill’s seasonal yearnings to recapture precious childhood memories of growing up in Milesburg.

A Castanea resident, Dann has collaborated on over 40 songs with his songwriting partner, Jack Servello an Altoona native now living in Shippensburg.

To date, the musical duo has over 30 songs with videos on youtube. Some of their original comps, including the 2012 hit, “Thor the Purple Squirrel from Jersey Shore” have garnered National attention and many songs have received decent airplay. Other viral hits include , “Marsha the Marshmallow Peep” and “Sneezy the Penn State Squirrel”. Though many of their collaborations are pure novelties, they have also fared well with Patriotic and gospel compositions such as “Heroes Close to Home”, written for an injured Bellefonte Marine who lost both of his legs in a suicide attack in Iraq in 2007. Gospel favorites include, “Pappy Played his Banjo for the Lord” and “Thank you Lord for Bringing me Home”.

Staying true to his roots, Bill (lyricist of the team) has penned a number of home-grown selections such as “The Howlin’ Hounds of Howard”,  “Yard Sale Abigail”, “(I’m a) Meat and ‘Taters Man” and others. Prior to teaming up with Servello in 2008, Dann had written a “local” Christmas poem called “Susquehanna Silent Night” and a Christmas novelty tune called “Aunt Clara’s Christmas Casserole”. The latter was recorded at a farm house outside of Beech Creek and featured members of the Blanchard Church of Christ as cast members.

In late 2008, Dann received a copy of a Christmas CD of Servello’s from a friend in Oregon. After contacting him to obtain permission to use some of the songs for an upcoming Christmas radio show on WBPZ,  the two got to talking about songwriting and Dann mentioned that he had written a new song for Christmas, but hadn’t recorded it. Servello suggested that he send him the lyrics and after hearing the finished product of “Stand Back and Marvel”, Bill was blown away. From there, the two knew that there would be many more songs to come.

Whenever an inspiration hits, Dann writes the lyrics and sends them to Servello, knowing that another quality production is on the way. Many of their songs, including “Tonka Trucks and Tinker Toys” can be found by visiting  www.youtube.com on the  “dreamsedge channel”.

The photo slideshows used in the music videos are prepared by Michelle Peters of Beech Creek. Michelle has consistently demonstrated a knack for pairing the song with an excellent slideshow. The couple credits her for bringing their songs to life and making them available to share on social media.

The team has released several CD’s to date, including “Heroes, Legends and Laughs”, a “greatest hits Vol. 1” this past summer. A  Volume 2 is in the works and is scheduled to be released in late spring of 2014.

Both Dann and Servello have hosted a number of songwriting workshops which have been well-attended and encourage anyone with a desire to pursue this creative venue to contact them. The songwriters are confident that many more songs will be written and made available to the public.

Dann is a Centre County native and a 1977 Bellefonte High grad. He started his radio career that same year at WBLF as an announcer and later as a copywriter. He has worked in radio in Tyrone, State College and Lock Haven before “retiring” from it several years ago. He is married (29 years) to Kathy and they are proud parents to several “dannimals” including cocker spaniel brothers Webster and Shadow and a cat named Cinnamon. He is employed by Lowe’s of Lock Haven in the Garden Center.

Jack Servello has a long history in music The Servello family has performed at various functions for many years and he is President/CEO of Servello Family Studios in Shippensburg where he records tracks for customers. He is married to Barb, a United Methodist Pastor. They have a son, Richie who lives in Altoona.

Dann can be contacted at onenovel1@yahoo.com and Servello may be reached at jserve4music@hotmail.com. Their labors are well-documented and they have been featured in many newspaper and magazine articles. They encourage you to check out their work on youtube and trust you will enjoy their brand new song to ring in the Christmas season.

Tonka Trucks and Tinker Toys Dann/Servello

Wednesday, November 13, 2013 6:08 PM

With Christmas drawing near
I long for those I still hold dear
A different time and different place A gentle smile and warm embrace

I close my eyes and I can see
Those distant childhood memories
Sights and sounds from Grandma’s kitchen Dream‐filled nights of Christmas wishing

Chorus:
Tonka trucks and Tinkertoys
Noisy trains for bright‐eyed boys Candy canes and mistletoe
Sledding on the crusted snow Seemed life was simpler then
Wish we could have those days again

With Tonka Trucks and Tinker Toys

Homemade pies to warm the heart Mincemeat, pumpkin and cherry tarts Snickerdoodles with sugar on top
I’d eat them warm and couldn’t stop

Now pappy’s crowning glory
Was when he read the Christmas story We’d gather ‘round as he shared the pages The greatest story of the ages

Chorus:

Bridge
Christmas morning up by 5
To make sure Santa Claus arrived We were glad for what we got And didn’t expect to get a lot

Wrapping paper littered the place From presents opened up in haste Family shared the noontime meal The season never felt so real

To chorus End