"I had to pull my dad out of retirement, like The Godfather Part III": Danny Lauby opens up about his striking career change

Danny Lauby has taken a unique path to becoming a professional darts player. The American grew up in a true darts family, with his father Danny Lauby Sr. one of the pioneers of American darts. Yet it was not initially a given that the younger Lauby would follow in his father's footsteps. Music played an equally important role in his life for many years. He worked as a music teacher and drum instructor for almost 15 years before deciding to put everything aside to pursue his dream of becoming a professional darts player.

In an interview with Tungsten Talk, a programme on Pluto TV, Lauby looked back extensively on his childhood, musical background, the development of darts in North America and his own ambitions. His special relationship with his father also came up, as did the sacrifices required to make his way to the highest level.

Danny Lauby owes much of his involvement in the professional darts world to his father. Danny Lauby Sr. had been involved in the sport for many years and witnessed the developments surrounding the split between the PDC and BDO at close quarters. As a result, darts was a familiar pastime for his son from an early age.

However, the sport was far less established in the United States than it was in Great Britain. While darts in England is traditionally closely associated with pubs and bars, the situation is different in America. Lauby explains that age restrictions around alcohol consumption mean young people have far fewer opportunities to encounter the sport.

"Well, that's the only reason I'm in the game. Darts isn't really prevalent back home. I mean, you can't walk into a pub unless you're 21, so it's just not something that's part of the culture. I grew up playing basketball, football and American football. But yeah, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be involved."

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His childhood was not exclusively centred around darts. Lauby participated in various sports, including basketball, football and American football. However, there was always a dartboard at home, and he spent plenty of time at the oche with his father.

Lauby also has considerable respect for the American and Canadian players who were active during the early years of the PDC. In his opinion, those pioneers still do not receive sufficient recognition for their contribution to the development of the sport.

"I know the averages aren't the same as they are today, but there is definitely a lot of talent over there. There are a lot of pioneers, if you will, as far as the US players and Canadian players, that don't get enough credit, in my opinion."

Although darts took an important place in his life at an early age, music was just as significant. Lauby developed a great passion for music and learned to play instruments including guitar and drums. Eventually, he would turn that passion into a profession.

However, a choice between music and darts always seemed to loom over him. He knew that sooner or later he would have to pursue one of the two paths.

"The thing is, I never second-guessed it. It was always going to be music or darts because that's all I knew. That's what my dad did. It was always going to be one of them.

"I think it always made him nervous because, in his head, he's like, 'You're going to be a musician or a dart player. Maybe have a third option if those don't pan out,' which any good father would think at that point.

"I always knew it was going to be one of the two. But yeah, music is something I miss."

Lauby grew up in Terre Haute, in the US state of Indiana, located in the Midwest. The city is known, among other things, as the place where basketball legend Larry Bird began his university career. Lauby himself grew up supporting the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, partly thanks to quarterback Peyton Manning.

His musical career subsequently took off. He gave private drum lessons for almost 15 years and worked as a music teacher. It was a period he looks back on with pride, although the attraction of darts remained present.

The combination of music and darts lasted for a long time, but eventually it became increasingly difficult to combine both passions. Lauby regularly travelled to Europe to participate in Q-School and the Challenge Tour. Despite his efforts, he initially struggled to make the breakthrough.

The numerous journeys and practical difficulties began to weigh increasingly heavily. Eventually, the American realised he had to make a clear decision if he wanted to fulfil his ambitions.

"So yeah, I taught music, private drum lessons, for almost 15 years. It just got to the point where I kept coming over for Q-School, Challenge Tours and everything, and just wasn't getting over the line.

"I think it was the travel, and it just got to the point where I needed to put both feet through the door, kind of thing."

An important role in that decision was played by his current manager, who offered him the opportunity to stay at his home. This made it considerably easier to focus fully on his darts career.

His father was also brought back into the sport. Lauby even had to bring him out of retirement to persuade him to take on an active role again. Danny Lauby Sr. is now involved with the darts academy.

"I had to pull my dad out of retirement, like The Godfather Part III, like pulled him back in when he wanted to, and now he's running the academy. Because I had to just go all in.

"It's a demanding sport. You need to be all in if you really want to get there, especially when you live so far away. It's too expensive. It just doesn't make sense unless you're here."

The latter is a particularly significant challenge for American darts players. The distances within the United States are enormous, and even matches on home soil can involve considerable travel. A flight from the east coast to the west coast, for example, can take more than six hours.

The European darts calendar also requires considerable financial sacrifices. For Lauby, it became increasingly clear that he needed to establish himself in Europe to improve his chances of breaking through.

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Although Lauby has now built his life in Europe, he continues to closely follow the development of darts in North America. He is convinced that there is considerable talent on the other side of the Atlantic.

The Championship Darts Corporation (CDC) plays an important role in this, in his view. The organisation provides American and Canadian players with a platform to develop on their own continent and attract attention.

Lauby also plans to participate in CDC tournaments this year, although his main objective remains clear: proving himself on the European circuit.

"I'm going to be playing the CDCs as well this year. But my goal has always been to be here and to do it here. And I kind of have, in a sense, I just haven't gotten to where I want to be."

The renewed interest in North American darts also makes him optimistic. The organisation of major international events and the partnership with the World Series of Darts have, in his opinion, made an important contribution to that development.

A striking example is the relocation of the World Series tournaments in North America to New York. Lauby believes the location works particularly well and sees several advantages compared to Las Vegas.

"It's hard to say because everyone goes to Vegas. You can get to Vegas. It's just kind of more... I don't know. New York, there's more players. It's just a different kind of vibe in New York.

"This last World Series was just incredible. The fans, everything. I mean, even compared to Amsterdam, the actual finals, I think New York was better, which is, you know, I wouldn't have guessed that in a million years.

"But I think it's just logistics. I think New York's just more of a... it's just easier to get to."

Lauby was particularly impressed by the most recent edition of the World Series in New York. Even when compared with the crowd at the major final in Amsterdam, he found the atmosphere in the American metropolis impressive.

According to Lauby, this development can only be positive for the future. There is sufficient talent in the United States and Canada, but travel distances and associated costs remain significant obstacles. Initiatives such as the CDC and international tournaments could ensure that more players make the step towards the professional level.

One of the highlights of Lauby's career was his participation in the World Cup of Darts. There, he represented the United States alongside compatriot Jules van Dongen. For an American darts player, it is a special experience, particularly because the sport still does not have the same status in their home country as it does in Europe.

Lauby emphasises that representing his country means a great deal to him.

"Oh, it's hard to even put words to it. It's an absolute honour. It's something to strive for, to represent your country playing. I mean, what more can you ask for?

"You just don't want to do your nation. You want to do well and actually live up to the potential."

However, he looks back on the results of recent years with mixed feelings. Alongside Van Dongen, he had hoped to achieve more, but that was not always possible.

"The last couple of years, Jules and I didn't do as well as we probably could have. But so it goes. We'll see what happens. Hopefully this year's team, I wish them all the best."

The fact that he could not participate in the World Cup of Darts again this year was particularly disappointing for Lauby. He had been present at the previous editions and would have liked to defend the American colours once more. Nevertheless, he tries not to dwell too much on what is no longer possible.

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Lauby has now appeared on numerous major stages. He played at Lakeside and Alexandra Palace and gained experience on the PDC Pro Tour in recent years. Nevertheless, he realises that he has yet to meet his own expectations.

Losing his PDC Tour Card was therefore a significant disappointment. Whereas he was previously focused primarily on retaining his place among the professional players, he must now work towards a return.

"If anything, I've let myself down. It's hard, it feels like getting demoted a little bit, you know, because you get to the point where your goal is, like, you know, you get your Tour Card.

"But then the hold is important. And, you know, so now I don't have one. So now I have a lot more to give. And I'm, you know, motivated.

"I'm ready to obviously have to get better results."

His participation in the MODUS Super Series fits into that search for new success. Lauby has previously won a title there and knows he can perform at that level. He therefore refuses to view his current situation as a step backwards.

"I don't try to look at anything as a backward step. If anything, things are, it's just a different journey, a different path. It's all building.

"It's all just hills and valleys. So, no, I'm taking everything not for granted and just trying to move forward, you know, just do well. And moving forward slowly."

One striking aspect of Lauby is his particularly fast playing style. However, he tries not to carry that same speed over into the way he approaches his career. The American admits that he sometimes wants to take steps too quickly and ends up getting ahead of himself.

He therefore wants to devote more attention to realistic objectives and a step-by-step approach in the coming period.

"Yeah, 100 per cent. I think everyone should do it that way. And that's something I struggle with because I tend to jump too soon and move quickly.

"But working smarter, not harder, is definitely something I'm trying to master, you know, lately."

It is an important lesson for the American, who consciously put everything into darts after his musical career. His ambitions remain considerable, and Lauby is convinced that he has yet to reach the maximum of his potential.

His story is far from over. With the support of his father, his experience on the major stages and his renewed motivation, he hopes to reconnect with the world's best players. One thing is clear: Danny Lauby has no intention of giving up on his dream anytime soon.