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Doug Levitt

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Doug Levitt
During production of "Today" music video
During production of "Today" music video
Background information
Birth nameDouglas Levitt Schwartz
Born1972 (age 51–52)
Washington, D.C.
GenresFolk-Rock, Americana, Pop
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, writer, activist, photographer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Websitewww.douglevitt.com

Doug Levitt (born 1972) is an American singer-songwriter and writer known principally for his eight-year project, The Greyhound Diaries.[1][2][3] In 2004, Levitt set out on his first six-week journey by Greyhound and began writing songs and stories about fellow travelers, many struggling to get by.[4][5] The journey, modeled on WPA-era projects that drew a fuller portrait of America, is ongoing, passing 80,000 miles at the end of 2012. Levitt has been featured by CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, Billboard, and Reuters.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]The Greyhound Diaries has resulted in two EP recordings, a one-man show, and a web series.[14][15] Prior to embarking on his long journey, Levitt was a foreign correspondent. Based in London, he dispatched from Iran, Rwanda, and Bosnia for, among others, ABC and NBC.[16][17]

Life

Levitt is the youngest child of former Washington, D.C. City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Carol Schwartz and husband David Schwartz. He attended the Washington, D.C. public schools, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School. When Levitt was 16, he discovered his father dead from suicide, an experience he’s cited in interviews as instrumental in his path toward becoming an artist.

Education

Levitt attended Cornell University, where he was a student of the late-astrophysicist and author Carl Sagan.[18] He later received a Fulbright Scholarship and earned his masters in International Relations at the London School of Economics.[19]

Career

While in London, Levitt switched careers, from foreign correspondent to singer-songwriter. Moving to Nashville in 2001, he hooked up with noted Americana producer David Henry, known for producing records for Josh Rouse and Guster.[20][21] The two began what would become a long-term collaboration on The Greyhound Diaries. Over the course of Levitt’s travels, he has captured more than 10,000 images and has performed the work at The Kennedy Center, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and homeless shelters across the country.[22][23] Produced by David Henry, the record includes the contribution of Steve Bowman, founding member of the Counting Crows, on drums.[24][25][26]

Discography

References

  1. ^ Levitt, Doug. "The Greyhound Diaries". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  2. ^ The Gloria Minott Show / MetroWatch, WPFW, Pacifica Radio November 24, 2010
  3. ^ Mary Huhn, The New York Post - Music Section, June 8, 2005
  4. ^ "Doug Levitt: Greyhound Diaries". NBC4 Washington. NBCUniversal, Inc. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  5. ^ Mikulan, Steven (11 November 2004). "Red, Blue and Blank". LA Weekly. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  6. ^ "CNN Newsroom Transcript". CNN. 4 November 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  7. ^ Fox News, Fox & Friends, Aircheck, November 4, 2006
  8. ^ "Greyhound Diaries". Reuters Entertainment News. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Travelling author writes about struggling Americans". Dylan Ratigan Show. MSN. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  10. ^ "Doug Levitt". Billboard. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  11. ^ Jurgensen, John (22 December 2007). "Presidential Playlists". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  12. ^ The Greyhound Diaries on CNN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dikCJkDlbDs
  13. ^ The Greyhound Diaries at The Dylan Ratigan Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLwvc_Ug0pE
  14. ^ Levitt, Doug. "Doug Levitt". Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  15. ^ Godfrey, Sarah (5 November 2004). "If This Bus is Rockin'..." Washington City Paper. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  16. ^ Orzeck, Kurt (18 December 2007). "Mary J. Blige Tries To Put The Freeze On Lupe Fiasco's Cool, Chingy's Hate And More, In New Releases". MTV. Viacom International Inc. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  17. ^ Malibu, “Doug Levitt, The Greyhound Diaries,” magazine March 8, 2008
  18. ^ "Doug Levitt: A Bus Ride with Private Simmons". KPCC. Southern California Public Radio. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  19. ^ Capitol File, “Doug Levitt: Power Musician,” April 8, 2008
  20. ^ Austermuhle, Martin (28 February 2012). "DCist Interview: The Greyhound Diaries' Doug Levitt". The DCist. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  21. ^ The Aquarian, John Fortunato: “Doug Levitt Leaves the Driving to Greyhound,” March 14, 2008
  22. ^ "Doug Levitt". The Kennedy Center. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  23. ^ Light, Nanette (4 February 2008). "Songwriter gives voice to Greyhound bus riders". Scripps Howard Foundation Wire. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  24. ^ Levitt, Doug (8 November 2007). "Pall of the Pollocrats". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  25. ^ Congdon, Amanda (11 August 2009). "Greyhound Diaries - A Man, A Bus, A True Story". Sometimes Daily. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  26. ^ CMJ, “Doug Levitt Takes the Bus,” December 7, 2007
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