About this project

I was recently invited to record for a split 7" with my friend Duquette Johnston (formerly of Verbena) and his band the Gum Creek Killers, for release on the Communicating Vessels label. Instead of just sending Duquette a track I had in the archives, Duquette suggested I visit him in Birmingham and we record our sides together, from scratch, with the same band. It was one of the most positive recording experiences I've ever had, and I immediately wanted to make a whole record this way.

The idea is to release the album on limited edition vinyl, and then offer downloads. The money raised would be used for studio time, travel accommodations, mixing, mastering, and 500 LPs with professionally printed sleeves. We also need to feed everybody. We're hoping to exceed our goal, and we are undershooting quite a bit to meet it no matter what. Our actual goal is closer to the $7,000-$8,000 range, but we're testing the waters here. I think this record will be a great one.

The LP will be under the name WOODEN WAND & THE BRIARWOOD VIRGINS. The Briarwood Virgins is the name I've given the band that features all four members of the Gum Creek Killers, plus Jody Nelson (Through The Sparks) and Brian Lowery (Wooden Wand, The Only Sons). It will be co-produced by Les Nuby and Daniel Duquette Johnston at the unnamed studio run by the awesome folks in Vulture Whale (I like the name "The Dudehole."). Les will engineer. He's the man.

Ideally, we would record in March / April and have the LPs and gifts ready to go by summertime.

Upon request, I will email you a demo of one of the songs for the record, so you know what you're getting yourself into. :)

Pledge $10 or more: *Download of the album upon release

Pledge $15 or more: *Copy of the LP upon release, before it hits distributors and stores

Pledge $35 or more: *Copy of the LP upon release, signed by James (and whoever else from the band is around) *Limited edition letter pressed LP cover (this is strictly supply-and-demand - if we get 3 donations at this price, there will only be 3 made. You will also get the original cover in addition to the limited letter pressed one).

Pledge $75 or more: *Copy of the LP upon release, signed by James (and whoever else from the band is around) *Special thanks in the liner notes *A zip drive of unreleased and exclusive material - this will include demos, outtakes, cover songs, live sets, and the unreleased "Murfreesboro" version of the latest Wooden Wand album Death Seat (which is pretty much an entirely different album)

Pledge $150 or more: *Copy of the LP upon release, signed by James (and whoever else from the band is around) *Special thanks AND YOUR PHOTO in the liner notes *A zip drive of unreleased and exclusive material - this will include demos, outtakes, cover songs, live sets, and the unreleased "Murfreesboro" version of the latest Wooden Wand album Death Seat (which is pretty much an entirely different album) *A personalized thank you letter from the band *An exclusive t-shirt, available only to backers of this project.

Pledge $180 or more - The Distributor / Santa Claus deal: *Twenty copies of the LP, including one version with the limited letterpress covers.

Pledge $250 or more: *Copy of the LP upon release, signed by James (and whoever else from the band is around) *Special thanks and your photo in the liner notes *A zip drive of unreleased and exclusive material - this will include demos, outtakes, cover songs, live sets, and the unreleased "Murfreesboro" version of the latest Wooden Wand album Death Seat (which is pretty much an entirely different album) *A personalized thank you letter from the band, an executive producer credit *A personalized mix CD from James with handwritten liner notes

Pledge $275 or more: *Copy of the LP upon release, signed by James (and whoever else from the band is around) *Special thanks in the liner notes *A zip drive of unreleased and exclusive material - this will include demos, outtakes, cover songs, live sets, and the unreleased "Murfreesboro" version of the latest Wooden Wand album Death Seat (which is pretty much an entirely different album) *A personalized thank you letter from the band *An executive producer credit *A CD of James recording a cover song of your choice (if more than one person requests this, you will also receive copies of the cover songs chosen by the other folks)

Pledge $350 or more: *Copy of the LP upon release, signed by James (and whoever else from the band is around) *Special thanks in the liner notes *A zip drive of unreleased and exclusive material - this will include demos, outtakes, cover songs, live sets, and the unreleased "Murfreesboro" version of the latest Wooden Wand album Death Seat (which is pretty much an entirely different album) *A personalized thank you letter from the band *An executive producer credit *A handwritten lyric sheet for one of the ten songs on the album (limit of ten!)

Pledge $500 or more: *Copy of the LP upon release, signed by James (and whoever else from the band is around) *Special thanks in the liner notes *A zip drive of unreleased and exclusive material - this will include demos, outtakes, cover songs, live sets, and the unreleased "Murfreesboro" version of the latest Wooden Wand album Death Seat (which is pretty much an entirely different album) *A personalized mix CD with handwritten liner notes by James *A personalized thank you letter from the band *An executive producer credit *Free entry for two to any Wooden Wand or related show for two years

Pledge $2,000 or more: *Everything listed above, plus James will fly, at his own expense, to anywhere in the US, and play a 45 minute set in your living room for your family and friends. Will also honor most requests from the WW back catalog.

Pledge $2,500 or more - The 'Pick The Setlist' option: *Everything listed above, plus James will fly, at his own expense, to anywhere in the US, and play a 45 minute set in your living room for your family and friends. YOU pick the setlist - any 12-15 songs from the Wooden Wand back catalog, plus any two covers of your choice. Madonna? No problem. Method Man? You bet. Kiss? We'll talk.

All shipping free within the USA International backers please inquire about shipping, which will differ depending on the package you choose - madmonkvinyl@hotmail.com