When you combine southern rock riffs with subtle country pop, you get what Donny calls “Desert Music” and on “Hot as a Pistol,” the new record distributed by Toucan Cove, you can enjoy 11 such tracks.

Donny and Fastgun is the lovechild of Donny Barthelemy. Originally from York, PA, twenty miles
north of the Mason Dixon Line, Donny bought his first guitar at a pawnshop at age 14. His first musical teacher/guru was Gus Backus of the Del Vikings. "He taught me how to tune the guitar, and some chords and also showed me the beauty of writing your own songs," remarks Donny.

Donny played music all through high school, then spent three years in the Army. After discharge, he played guitar and sang in a 15 piece jazz/rock/country band called Uncle Sam that toured "Planet Texas.” His first big concert, at the age of 20, was opening for Lou Rawls in front of 10,000 people. “My knees were knocking" remembers Donny.

After the Army, Donny decided to focus all of his energies on forming his own band, Fastgun, a country rock group. Fastgun played concerts with Merle Haggard, hung out with Willie Nelson, recorded a CD, had a part in a movie and won numerous awards including 'Best Male Vocalist and Male Entertainer of the Year' for the State of California in Country Music.

In addition to Donny, Fastgun is "Babs," his wife, on vocals, Keith Macbay on drums and vocals, Ted Feinman on boards and vocals, Kylie Astle on fiddle and Jay O'Neil on bass. They won the local Tampa Bay "Colgate Country Showdown" and were featured on Channel 10 performing songs "Arizona Blue" and "Ain't No Cowboys in N.Y.C." “Arizona Blue” has been on the independentmusicnetwork.com Country Charts for over a year, with almost 100,000 accumulative votes! Donny and Fastgun have shared the stage with Jewel, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, David Allan Coe and Dickey Betts.

Hot as a Pistol is on iTunes and Amazon.com now.