About this project
My songs are a record of my life which flow through me when I am living outside in the wilderness and on the water. They are a conversation ... between me and the rivers, ancient canyon walls and oceans... about life, heart, relationship and politics. The water is my muse, my friend and my lover that elicits songs from my heart that speak of my life's journey.
I am very excited to announce that my new album "The Day I Fell in the Water" is in its final stages of completion!
This kickstarter video features several of the songs that I have already recorded to be released on this new CD.
I still need to raise $10,800 to finish my project including final recording and manufacturing costs.
I appreciate your support to help get this album through the final phase, and out into the world.
FAQ
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$11,788
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on January 21.
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Receive email updates for this project. Jump in the musical boat and enjoy the ride.
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Digital Download of the Entire CD before it is officially released.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
A signed finished hard copy of the CD with artwork/ liner notes snail mailed to you before it is officially released.
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
A full digital download of CD plus a signed finished CD with the liner notes/ artwork snail mailed to you before the official release.
Pledge $55 or more Pledge $55 or more
A hard copy of Melissa's first CD released in 2002 "Off the Beaten Path" and compilation: "Biodiesel Van" snail mailed to you. Plus a digital download of entire new CD as well as a finished hard copy of the new CD with artwork/ liner notes snail mailed to you.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Free pair of tickets to 2 of my shows in the next 3 years. (This does not include music festivals) I will be touring nationwide when I release this new CD and I would love to put you on the VIP guest list. Plus a digital download of the CD as well as a signed hard copy of the new CD with liner notes mailed to you, as well as "Off the Beaten Path and "Biodiesel Van" sent to you.
Pledge $111 or more Pledge $111 or more
A 2 hour nature wild edible plant identification hike with Katrina Blair and a wild, local and living food luncheon at Turtle Lake Refuge in Durango, Colorado. Travel and Lodging not included. (Katrina is a fellow river guide and plays didgeridoo on the Biodiesel Van c.d., founder of Turtle Lake Refuge http://www.turtlelakerefuge.org/ ) A digital download of the CD as well as a signed hard copy of the new CD with liner notes mailed to you, as well as "Off the Beaten Path and "Biodiesel Van" sent to you.
Pledge $121 or more Pledge $121 or more
Float either the racecourse section or the easier Lower Gorge section of the Rio Grande River in Taos New Mexico with BigRiverRafts.com. Travel and Lodging not included. http://www.bigriverrafts.com/dialup-rafttrips.html. Plus a digital download of the CD as well as a signed hard copy of the new CD with liner notes mailed to you, as well as "Off the Beaten Path and " Biodiesel Van" sent to you.
Pledge $132 or more Pledge $132 or more
A one day sea-kayaking trip through Elkhorn Slough outside of Santa Cruz California with Blue Water Ventures. (see description at http://bluewaterventures.org/sealsandseaottersbykayak.htm ) Travel and lodging not included. Trips held from April 2012- Jan. 31st 2013. Plus a digital download of new CD, and a hard copy of new CD snail mailed to you as well as "Off the Beaten Path" and “Biodiesel Van."
Pledge $180 or more Pledge $180 or more
A beautiful 13 x 19 medium print of " Winter Rio Grande Light" by Famous Taos Photographer Geraint Smith. See image at http://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/february_08/feb_07_08.html PLUS A hard copy of Melissa's first CD released in 2002 "Off the Beaten Path" and compilation: "Biodiesel Van" snail mailed to you. Plus a digital download of entire new CD as well as a finished hard copy of the new CD with artwork/ liner notes snail mailed to you.
Pledge $180 or more Pledge $180 or more
A beautiful 13 x 19 medium print of Antelope Canyon by Famous Taos Photographer Geraint Smith. See image at http://geraintsmith.com/scenics/content/scenics_18_large.html. PLUS A hard copy of Melissa's first CD released in 2002 "Off the Beaten Path" and compilation: "Biodiesel Van" snail mailed to you. Plus a digital download of entire new CD as well as a finished hard copy of the new CD with artwork/ liner notes snail mailed to you.
Pledge $180 or more Pledge $180 or more
A beautiful 13 x 19 medium print of Rio Grande Twilight by Famous Taos Photographer Geraint Smith. See image at http://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/june_09/june_11_09.html PLUS A hard copy of Melissa's first CD released in 2002 "Off the Beaten Path" and compilation: "Biodiesel Van" snail mailed to you. Plus a digital download of entire new CD as well as a finished hard copy of the new CD with artwork/ liner notes snail mailed to you.
Pledge $180 or more Pledge $180 or more
A beautiful 13 x 19 medium print of "Lasts Nights Moon Rise". by Famous Taos Photographer Geraint Smith. See image at http://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/january_08/jan_22_08.html PLUS A hard copy of Melissa's first CD released in 2002 "Off the Beaten Path" and compilation: "Biodiesel Van" snail mailed to you. Plus a digital download of entire new CD as well as a finished hard copy of the new CD with artwork/ liner notes snail mailed to you.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Your name will be in included in the "thank you" section of liner notes of the new CD. (All pledges $250 and above will receive recognition in the liner notes) Free pair of tickets to 2 of my shows in the next 3 years. (This does not include music festivals) I will be touring nationwide when I release this new CD and I would love to put you on the VIP guest list. Plus a digital download of the CD as well as a signed hard copy of the new CD with liner notes mailed to you, as well as "Off the Beaten Path and "Biodiesel Van" sent to you.
Pledge $600 or more Pledge $600 or more
A house concert with me, Melissa Crabtree, playing a two-hour solo show at your house. Limited to within a 300-mile driving radius of Taos, New Mexico. If your house is outside this limit, you will also have to cover my travel expenses and one hotel room for anywhere else in the USA or International. Please allow 4 months advance for proper arrangements.Plus a digital download of new CD, and a hard copy of the new CD mailed to you as well as "Off the Beaten Path" and “Biodiesel Van."
Pledge $2,200 or more Pledge $2,200 or more
Melissa's Four Piece Band in your home. Two hour concert with the band. Limited to 300 mile radius of Taos New Mexico. ( for anywhere else in the USA or International location please Add plane tickets and all travel expences and hotel for 4 persons in band .) Please allow 4 months advance for proper arrangements.Plus a digital download of new CD, and a hard copy of new CD mailed to you as well as "Off the Beaten Path" and “Biodiesel Van."
Pledge $7,700 or more Pledge $7,700 or more
Free tickets to all of my concerts for LIFE! Plus a solo house concert (logistics listed above.) Plus a digital download of new CD, and a hard copy of new CD snail mailed to you as well as "Off the Beaten Path" and “Biodiesel Van."
Project By
Connected as Melissa Crabtree (1331 friends)
Whether guiding a raft through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, or writing songs and singing about the majesty of the American West, Melissa Crabtree’s heartfelt love for the natural world transports her listeners to the wild places she knows best.
Melissa, you see, lives two lives; one as a wilderness guide and the other as a working musician, and at this intersection of nature and music, she conjures songs—like a contemporary, female Woody Guthrie—that amuse, inspire and entertain.
In performance, Crabtree delivers her poignant stories in a distinctly husky alto, with a pleasingly twangy guitar. Her band is top-notch and is as comfortable playing on the back porch as they are on a festival stage.
In the last several years, Melissa has played many notable festivals, including the High Sierra Music Festival, Moab Folk Festival, Oregon Country Fair and the Taos Solar Music Festival.
She has also received songwriting awards at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, The Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, The Tucson Folk Festival and the Kerrville Folk Festival. In 2002 she was among the 10 finalists in the Songwriter’s Showcase at both the Rocky Mountain Folk Fest and at the Tucson Folk Festival.
In 2004 she was among the top five finalists in the Telluride Bluegrass Festival's “Troubadour Contest.” In 2006 her song “Message from a Soldier" got the attention of Noel “Paul” Stookey (of Peter, Paul and Mary) who invited her to perform at the Kerrville Folk Festival where she was a finalist in its "Music to Life" Public Domain Foundation songwriting contest. Melissa also received honorable mention in the 2010 International Songwriting Competition.
Melissa released her first CD, “Off the Beaten Path,” in 2002 and then toured the country in a vegetable-oil powered van to call attention to our nation's addiction to petroleum. Her song "Biodiesel Van" was featured in the film "Fields of Fuel" which won Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008.
She also produced a compilation CD of songs and spoken word about alternatives to fossil fuels that includes Julia Butterfly Hill, Tony Furtado and Julie Wolf (of Ani Difranco’s band). Melissa has shared the stage with many leading performers including Joan Osborne, Greg Brown, Ani Difranco, Michelle Shocked, John Prine, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Dar Williams, David Wilcox, Kris Delmhorst and Tony Furtado.
Quotes:
"A road-wise folkie with a bluesy soul reminiscent of early Michelle Shocked, Melissa Crabtree is an original storyteller and performer not to be missed." - Catie Curtis
"This is one bad ass who knows how to weave a soulful tune". - Tony Furtado
"I'm glad she's on the Planet." - Patty Larkin
Melissa's music is like the white water she guides on; "A Bluesy wild ride down a river of emotions or environmental issues, dealing with them honest and in ernest, not letting them get the best of her, as she outrides them and paddles down the river... her performance is strong and free...just like her rivers." - Caroline Aiken
Discography
Off the Beaten Path
Biodiesel Van
(new record on the way)
