New Album Info & More!

Hey friends,
there has been a lot going on behind-the-scenes lately. Some of which I can talk about now. In just over 2 weeks I will be going into the studio to cut a new album! I can’t believe it has nearly been 3 years since the release of Shouting at a Silent Sky. I’ve probably written enough for about 3 very different records, but we have whittled those songs down to a very focused batch of tunes that I can’t wait to record and share with everyone. Let me tell you a little bit about the team I have assembled for this record. The sessions will be co-produced by RJ Stillwell, a Tennessee-native and modern day renaissance-man with experience as a studio/touring musician, production and management, and even work in film and TV, as well as the founder of Sound Healthcare. His most recent project involved co-producing and managing the country-duo The Devious Angels. The other producer on the album is legendary studio musician and arranger, Mike Leech. Starting in the mid-60s at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Mike played bass, percussion and many of the string and horn arrangements for the likes of ELVIS, Joe Tex, Dusty Springfield, and The Box Tops (to name just a few). After American Sound closed in the early 70s, he moved to Nashville and worked with Willie Nelson, John Prine, and was even a touring musician for The Highwaymen and subsequent Merle Haggard tours. I’m very excited to be added to his illustrious list of credits. Check out the full list over at All Music Guide.

There will be a room full of great musicians (which I will tell you about later), as well as a horn section, and lots of back-up vocals. We’re thinking a mix of vintage Memphis Soul with a healthy dose of unpolished rough edges. I’m continuing to write until I walk thru the studio doors, so I can’t give you a full track-listing yet. But if you’ve been to a show over the last year or so, you will definitely recognize a few of them.

I am also looking forward to getting back to my hometown of Seattle for a string of shows. I should have some sort of sampler of my new album ready by then, so Seattle will probably be the first place to hear the new music. You can already buy tickets to my show at the Tractor Tavern opening for the great Dusty 45s on May 25th. Order tickets here.

One more thing to share… I’ve started writing for a great new online magazine that focuses on music history. My first article was published in late January. If you are at all interested in pre-Beatles rock and roll take a look at the article, and feel free to leave me a comment with your thoughts. Read it here.

I promise more studio/recording details as the dates approach, and once we begin tracking. More soon!