Hi there supporters and friends of Drew and of dzdap.  First, I need to apologize to you all for the lack of information and updates over the last few months...as you will read, this is due to the mountain of work that we've been sorting through...still, that's no real excuse - so I hope that you all will accept my sincere apologies.

There has been so much going on, I don't really know where to begin...so let me rewind for a second and get us back to the first round of sessions in LA back in August.  I know that I updated you all on those...which went extremely well.  But soon after that, in fact on our drive north and back to San Francisco, Drew and I had many hours to talk and revisit the session days and our results.  We decided that although we managed to get 13 songs tracked in LA at a level of performance that exceeded our expectation, we needed to go back into the studio and do some more work on guitar tracks.  We concluded that in order to 'slam it out of the park', the guitar tracks needed to...transcend, if you will. Without getting into the nitty here, we reviewed EVERY song and track recorded and decided that with more time, we could better focus on Drew's tracks and really make some magic happen.

So we booked ten days at Different Fur Studios in San Francisco for the following month and started digesting the chosen takes of the tunes...and got to work on arrangements and sounds for guitar tracks.  Yeah, this would put us over budget...but we are not making some little album here...we are trying to make magic...so I had to accept this...sure you will understand, especially when you have heard the results.

The trip to SF was fantastic - the studio was a perfect choice (thanks, Drew!) and we were helped a great deal by assistant engineer Nic Pope and studio manager Lindsey Cundiff, making the sessions a great success.  

Drew played stuff that was beyond belief.  I mean, I sat next to the guy for ten days and as a guitar player that kinda knows how it's done and what to expect from Drew...well I was shocked at this guy's ability and sensitivity...and again was convinced that what we are all doing by making the cd and dvd project a reality is far more than just 'worth it'.  I can't wait for all of you to hear the results.  Truly, it is worth the wait.

I then took the music back to NYC and began the long and laborious editing process...which solo to use?  Which piano part to mute and when?  And WHY? Which sounds to tailor and adjust...if you are in the business, you know the many choices that have to be made when mixing and editing and how each decision has an impact on every other element in the song, in the performance, in the emotion and in the album.  It's a fragile and tenuous puzzle...a challenge...one that I love.  And THIS project means more to me than you can imagine.

We've chosen to include 12 of the original 13 songs on the record.  They are fantastic.  The only reason we let one song go was that it did not fit the rest of the album stylistically...it is a great piece of writing, but the guys did not sink into it...it's such a strong tune, I wish this was not the case...but it happens.

Some new news lately - 

Well, first, Boz Scaggs has finished his song for us.  I received the tracks yesterday.  It sounds like a broken record to say, but I have to....my expectations have always been quite high for this record...I mean, look at the players, the studio, the time we have taken, your assistance and support....all of it. And then consider Boz Scaggs...his over 40 years in the business and his mastery of a lyric.  His fantastic and unique voice...his ability to communicate emotion...this guy is a Master.

The track his engineer, Chris Tabarez, sent to me last night is beyond all expectation.  Boz SLAYED the tune...even without ANY treatment, editing, fussing...the performance makes the hair on your arms (if you have any!) stand right up...it's breathtaking.

We have also had continued input and recording from Will Lee and George Whitty...these guys are pretty amazing human beings.  Yeah, we already know their level of musicianship and professionalism.  But they have offered, gratis, to redo or fix any parts that do not exactly 'fit'...and in a couple of cases, they have re-cut a track...or fixed a chorus...rather than have me do it artificially with today's technology.  And they do this voluntarily and with JOY.  I am, we all are SO fortunate to have these guys on board...this does not happen often...believe me...I have been on a good 100 records...and you just don't see this a lot.

In other related news, I was up for a Grammy nomination on another project for engineering..and one of our investors, Jonathan Schneider has received a nomination on another project of his...we are in some pretty great company...congrats to JS !

And what it all means is a better album...

So - where are we now?

By the end of next week all edits and rough mixes will have been completed...and delivered to Drew for comment, suggestion, veto, input... At that point we will take two weeks to NOT LISTEN to the music.  Then, in the first week of January, the final mixes will begin.  I will be finished with those by the third week of January, but the first final mix completed with go out to our three mastering engineers for a test master - all three engineers will master the same song.  Drew and I will then chose the right mastering engineer for the project and ask that person to finish the mastering job.  All this time, with the mixing still in process, Drew will be working on his artwork for the album and subsequent dvd...so we SHOULD have the cd done and in the warehouse but mid February, latest...

That leaves the dvd.

We've found and secured an editor...and we have the INCREDIBLE good fortune to have a few weeks in a world class editing facility donated to us (again, gratis) by one of our investors and friends.  So we'll get to the dvd as soon as the cd is in the warehouse...music first!  There is over 9 hours of footage in the can for the dvd...live stuff from the studio, interviews, gigs, all sorts of strange and quite funny 'B-roll'...it's going to be a great dvd that will tell the story of the entire project, starting three years ago.  In addition, I shall be reaching out to some of you for on-camera chats and interviews about Drew, his music and how/when/where you were first exposed to it...any one interested?  Contact me please!

Yes, we'll need to raise some minor funds to complete THAT end of things - expenses for our editor, finishing, duplication etc...but we'll address that in February.  It's not a big nut to crack, but we'll need to make it happen.

So for now, that's the news...there is a LOT more to come so I will try hard to get more updates to you all as things happen...keeping in mind that for right now, my primary focus is finishing the mix !  We are on track with most everything, besides a few minor overages that were not anticipated, but necessary...about 18% in all...

All the very best to you and yours for the Holidays...I am going to try to get a rough mix done of one of the songs to give you all a taste of things to come by Christmas...no promises...but I'm working on it !

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, info...and offers of assistance!  That's what I am here for.

Cheers!

gwp

YOU did.  Every one of you at whatever level of pledge...YOU made it happen.  You stepped up and were, are counted.  You supported the arts, not just one musician, but a concept that has legs, that has depth and that is REAL.

You are all a team, all allies...and I for one am proud to be a part of your project.

Well done, thank you and stay tuned - I promise you a fantastic album, dvd and project...

YOU did this.  Go have a glass of something bubbly to celebrate.

Thanks...

g

4 days left...

$5.5k to go...

calling all angels !!!!

g

Yikes !!

Reality !!!

...folks, I really wanted to thank you all yet again...as a group, as a team.  Together we, YOU have raised over $9000 toward this goal.  When you think about it, that is pretty amazing - you've all stood up and voiced approval and support for one of the finest guitarists in the last 30 years.

But more than that, you have formed a real community.  These days, it is the public that launches and validates an artist...not the big corporations, not the Record Companies - it is the effort of the individual...a number of individuals.  Thank you.

Drew's been off the road about ten days or so...and he is with his family in SF...and he is practicing, rehearsing and writing...we go into the studio in a mere twelve days.  

After 40+ years of guitar playing, Drew is finally giving all of us what we have hoped for - a debut album and dvd to show his genius...and we are part of the reason it is happening.  We are MAKING it happen.

It is my gig to ask you all to jump back in and spread the word...we need 'angels' now...

Sorry to be the pest, the fundraiser...but that's my gig - and I want this project as much as all of you...

So, team...friends, fans of Drew...and you Patrons of the Arts out there...we love you and we thank you...and we need you to help us find the people and numbers to get this drive over the top...in just 5 days...

This is it, peeps...this is where we make the difference...if you know of people 'on the fence' or if YOU feel like adding a bit to your donation, now would be the time.  Reach out to friends, family and fans...

This project is about far more than one artist, Drew.  It is about a concept of making sure our unsung heroes, our inspirational artists, our mentors, our creative assets...making sure they get what they deserve...and in so doing, we get what we need from them...further joy, love and inspiration.

...help us get there.

All the best - and again, thank you all so much - I am pretty proud to be a part of your team.

George Petit