Biography

Dan was born to Karen Gutschmidt (NICU Registered Nurse) and Steven Gutschmidt (Machinist) and attended Brooklyn High School in Brooklyn, OH. He was his high school's choir accompanist, wrestled and played baseball. As the captain his senior year he led his baseball team to the State Semi-Finals and finished 3rd in the State Tournament. This earned him a First Team award and college scholarship to play baseball at Kent State University where he majored in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.

After his Junior year season, he decided to hang up his cleats and pursue music more extensively. He composed, performed and toured with the band Drenalin, one he started shortly after leaving college. While touring with Drenalin he decided to go back to college and attended Full Sail University where he earned his Bachelor's in Music Production.

Dan landed his first prestigious gig in 2011 composing for the Lingerie Football League where he went on to compose 6 songs for them over the next 2 years.

Word spread to the head producer of Comcast Sports Network in Chicago and he was approached to compose a song for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs via the Chicago Blackhawks. This composition titled 'Fever Within' received an Emmy Award Nomination. The next year they asked him to do it again resulting in a reformed version of 'Epic' which received an Emmy Award Win. 'Epic' was also nominated for a 2016 PromaxDBA Award and won Gold at the Awards Show in Las Vegas. The following year he received more nominations for "Hear It. See It. Feel It", which won two Emmy Awards and "We Are Timeless".

In 2016, Dan lost his mother, father and grandfather to various complications. With little family around him he was forced to cope with these losses on his own. During his grieving he got an idea of a foundation to help other families who have lost a parent or guardian and are going through similarly tough times. He started the Non-Profit 'Live On Foundation'.

Today Dan tours with Drenalin and engineers/produces music and videos for TV, Film and Artists under his company The Valt Complex. He also co-produced his first feature film, 'Death Metal', which he was responsible for set design and original music.
- IMDb mini biography by: Kate Arty

Don't ever trust anyone else with your dreams. Once they see your potential, they will hold them hostage.