CELEBRATE Good Times!!

This top picture captures all seven of the singing Dwarfs..... no, that's the wrong movie all together! Hmmmmm, how about: "The Seven Singers"!! Yup that sounds better. If we ever have a road-show tour, I'm gonna bring this whole bunch along, together. They worked extra hard today and so Dan rewarded everyone with cookies. You know how I feel about cookies!! BTW: That's Nathan in the couch's left corner, just under Kayleigh's enthusiasm. And in the lower picture you can see our friend Chris, just peeking into view, as he was getting the studio up to speed for our arrival. Now it's straight on to the mixing process, as these were the very final, final tracks to be added. Full speed ahead, cuz we're coming down to the wire!! I leave for Florida in 10 days and everything needs to be finished by then.

The Idols, Friends: Day #2

Here we are, returned to Amerisound along with some additional friends to help with the project. Today we have Claire, Annie and Vernon returning as the veterans that they are. Claire brought her friend Delaney and I've rounded up the ZB-Williams children Nathan and Holly, and Holly brought her BFF Kayleigh. Unfortunately these pictures are from the beginning of our session and Nathan is using his mad-skills of observation to sit at Dan's right hand and learn all he can about the recording process, from the engineering angle. We later enticed Nathan to sing, but I don't have him in any of these posed pics from the beginning of our day together. Maybe I can get some snaps from the other cameras that were flashing like crazy. It seriously felt like we were big-time. Today we were able to complete the four remaining songs, that I'd envisioned having children's voices contribute. WHOOOOHOOOOOO!!!

The Next American Idol

Now we're back at Amerisound on a sunny, brisk Saturday..... only we're all inside where it's toasty warm, adding the children's voices for the tracks on this upcoming, ENORMOUS educational album for ZB. Here are my neighbors, twin-sibblings: Annie and Vernon being joined in the middle by the ever-gigglie Claire-- daughter of one of Amerisound's many talented clients. All three of our singers came practised and prepared, eager to learn about recording and ready to jump right in. Each member of our dynamic trio is 7 years old, with the enthusiasm and energy to match. Everyone listened very carefully and contributed on cue like true professionals!! We were able to get five songs knocked outta the park today. We're regrouping and returning tomorrow to add their talents to a few more numbers. What a thrill to work with such talented and willing individuals. The project is so much better as a result. Progress: "I think I can, I think I can.........."

Dan's Big Birthday Bash

Here's a little peek into the Birthday Bash that we pulled together to celebrate our friend Dan Green's birthday. That's me with special buddy, Jane Boucher, world traveler -- she's just shared all about the upcoming release of her newest book.... so there was plenty to celebrate. It wasn't a requirement to play the guitar, but the majority in attendance do! Offering seperate seranades for the birthday boy are his daughter E.J. and Sally Fingerette. It was a rollicking night of music and sing-a-longs, stories, sharing, laughter and LOTS of food. Lots and lots of food. We have such a good time when we all get together, that I've declared that we will commence to celebrate Dan's half-birthdays, too!! Look for new pictures next June.

Larry Cook, Guitar-Man

Look who's recently come to Amerisound to add his unbelievable talent to this newest project..... it's nimble-fingers, Larry Cook! Larry's traveled up from southern Ohio to play studio, session guitar tracks on each of my soon-to-be-SEVEN recordings. He's been involved from the very beginning. He's played every manner of guitar for my ditties: six string, twelve string, electric, steel dobro, bass and even the mandolin and banjo, on special occasions. This man's a one man orchestra. I'm so fortunate to have his expertise in the back ground. It's so much fun to finally be able to introduce you to these talented folks.

Dorigen Bamfo Koomson

Periodically, I have to pinch myself. Today was one of those pinching days. After my enthusiastic morning with my bouncing buddies at Children's, I proceeded directly, further west to Amerisound Studios. We have been making progess continually on the new recording for Zaner-Bloser. The arrangements are now each getting their own 'special' treatment. We've been adding the professional harmonies, studio musicians and are just about to launch into the sound effects. PROGRESS!

My dear friend, Dan Green, had a brilliant insight. He is working on another project where he is mixing a choir's recording that features vocalists from Ghana, Africa. Dan's thought -- how about we invite one of those soloists to add some 'world-flavor' on my ZB recording? Snap your fingers, click your heels and before you know it, we have the young and talented Dorigen Bamfo Koomson adding her UNBELIEVABLE talent..... singing lead, alto and "turner." (A term from her native Ghana -- the high descant part.)

The dittie of this brainstorm is "Rain, Rain Go Away." Yes. The traditional children's chant..... only Ronn has arranged it with a whole new sound and feel, including African drumming as the template driving this sentiment to a whole new stratosphere of wow. We have truly gone international with the flavor of this piece. I sing: 'rain, rain go away' and then Dorigen sings the same chant in her native Ashanti language, as a sort of rain-esque echo, 'ensu, ensu, ko ko.'

It's just amazing. Simply amazing. Think Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo and you'll be in the correct ballpark. Thank you Dan. Thank you Dorigen. Thank you ZB!! This newest VOICE on the project is award winning.

Amerisound Studios: WOW

How fortunate am I? Today was a spectacular, "oh-my-goodness-at-the-recording studio-day". We're hard @ work on a top-secret project that is truly coming together. PROGRESS!! Pictured above are the two men behind this absolutely hush-hush project. Ronn Price is on the left and Dan Green, owner of Amerisound Studios on the right.... and then the three of us taking our own picture at arm's length (golly that technique worked just fine!) It's just so amazing, to have an idea and then to watch it bloom and grow under the genius of an incredibly talented team. Stay tuned....... a mere 6 or 10 months from now, and I'll tell you some of the specifics. There's some seriously brilliant work underway. Keep thinking good thoughts.