Happy birthday, Daniel Johnston

Daniel Johnston turns 50 in a couple of days. Forgot to send a card? Brooklyn Vegan reports there's something you can still do:

Call (936) 463-4688 now to hear a message from Daniel and to record your greeting. People are encouraged to "tell a story, sing Daniel a song, cover one of his songs, or anything else that lets Daniel, and his fans, know how much he means to you and to the world of music. Throw on a party hat if you got one, and leave any message you want. Any length you want. Anything goes."

Daniel will get all the messages, and most of them will air along with special musician guest messages, on a 50th birthday show happening on the new Daniel Johnston Radio (Radio.hihowareyou.com) on January 22nd at 8pm CT. The live birthday show will also include Daniel's music and stories from the man himself.

Our idea was to send him half a telegram from the queen, but this is better.

And, just for sweet joy

Daniel Johnston's The Dream Is Over, from which our most-overused headline is ripped. [Requires Spotify.]

Daniel Johnston and his chums

The package tour. Besides the over-sugared NME affairs and 80s specials, you don't get many packages any more. Daniel Johnston is doing his best to revive the concept, though, with a UK and European jaunt featuring short sets from Scout Niblett, Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, James McNew of Yo La Tengo, Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub and Jad Fair of Half Japanese. The friends will also provide backing band duties for Daniel during his headline set. You'll want to know the dates, of course:

18th July - berns, stockholm
19th July - sticky fingers, gothenburg
20th July - rockefellar, oslo
23rd July - Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow
24rd July - New Century House, Manchester
25th July - Indigo2, Millennium Dome, Greenwich
26th July - BBC Maida Vale Session - no fee
27th July - Whelans, Dublin
28th July - Whelans, Dublin

Daniel Johnston to tour

This is one of those times when you really are better off being American: Daniel Johnston is plotting a US tour, says Pitchfork, which which also has the dates.