There was a time, not that long ago, when Donavon Frankenreiter could have chased a dream out on pro surfing's ASP World Tour. The Southern California native was an adopted member of the San Clemente Mafia that ushered in a new era of progressive surfing during the late 80s and early 90s. "Donny" appeared regularly on covers of Surfer and Surfing Magazine, won prestigious contests like the Katin Pro/Am, and starred in surf movies.

Luckily he chose a far more interesting path.

Oh, he's still surfing -- enjoying it more than ever, in fact. But like his buddy Jack Johnson, he's using his music to get him to his favorite waves around the world.

Back when he was donning a colored heat jersey guitar's were seemingly the mandatory accessory for pro-surfing hopefuls. At the time, Donavon's skills were largely overlooked because bad bands were so ubiquitous in that circle, he was dubbed guilty by association.

But Donavon really is an original. He won his early critics over long ago.

He could have just as easily been a stand-up comedian. To this day, the devout 37-year-old pleasure hound sniffs out good vibes wherever he goes, constantly dragging his friends into situations that straddle the line between amusing and flat-out frightening, much the way he does in the hit series, Drive Through. His peers now consider him the best travel partner ever.

Now Donavon's music is becoming as contagious as his personal aura. Though he taps into soul-twisting issues, his music remains warm and upbeat, the perfect antidote for trying times. His gritty vocals have been soothed since his days in Peanut Butter and Jam, his Pearl-Jam inspired high school band. After a later foray into Southern Rock he settled into his organic folksy sound. His surfing buddy Jack Johnson helped produce his first album.

Donny's fourth album, Glow, was just released this month. Wisely, he's keeping his show schedule tight, so as not to interfere with his ability to chase swells, because as you'll see in this title-track video, this guy's life motto is "Don't fight the fun."