About this project
Hello,
I am Tom Smith, performing songwriter. I am in the home stretch to finish “Journey Home”, my first studio album of original songs!
I have been a singer of old folksongs for over forty years with three recordings in my discography, and appearances on two others. Those old songs have stood the test of time – sung for generations – shared face to face before recording technology existed. They tell compelling stories and paint vivid pictures. They remind me of what it means to be human. It is that timeless and universal quality that I seek to emulate in my songwriting.
As a performing songwriter, I am passionate about the power of music.
I am passionate because it is how I express myself… because I have seen it change people’s lives for the better… because writing songs helps me to make sense of a confusing world… because it is at the core of my family and community… because I work hard to write the best songs I am able to write… and because singing and writing songs gives me great joy!
I have just finished recording thirteen songs with the help of some very talented musicians, including Joyce Andersen (violin, viola), Seth Connelly (vocals, guitar, bass, piano, banjo, mandolin, bouzouki), Oen Kennedy (vocals, whistle), Billy Novick (clarinet), Eric Royer (banjo), Alle Santiago (vocals), Mally Smith (vocals), and Sean Staples (mandolin). All of these songs are recorded with that old fashioned warm feeling of acoustic instruments played in the kitchen next to a wood stove.
I am so pleased to announce that this recording will be distributed by Birch Beer Records, a premier supporter of quality local music in my home state of Massachusetts. It is an honor to have my album join their terrific lineup.
This recording sounds great! I am extremely proud of the songwriting and musicianship that has gone into this labor of love, and I can’t wait to share it with the world. To do that I need a minimum $2500 to cover a portion of the post-production costs for CD design, mastering and replication.
Please help me reach my $2500 goal by clicking on the big green "BACK THIS PROJECT" button at the top right of the screen. If we raise even more, it will help pay off the balance of my bills for this project! I have created several reward levels ranging from small to large. Any contribution will help. And please share this Kickstarter page with others whom you think would be interested and able to join us.
Please also save the date to join me at the CD release celebration on Sunday, Nov. 6th at 3:00 pm at Amazing Things Arts Center, 160 Hollis Street, Framingham, MA. Pre-ordering tickets is recommended via the above link, or call the box office at 508-405-2787. I will be joined on stage by many special guests. This will be a blast!
THANK YOU! … and sing on!
~ Tom Smith
FAQ
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No. The rewards are simply a "thank you" from me for varying minimum contributions. You can contribute as little as $1 (without choosing a reward). That will add you to the list of folks I will contact regarding updates on the progress of this project. Or you can also contribute more than the reward you choose. (A good option to consider, methinks :)
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I had a difficult time choosing from what I think is two albums worth of good songs. Here are the titles for "Journey Home".
1 New Hampshire Wind
2 To A Songwriter
3 Phil's Guitar
4 A Fiddle With A Broken String
5 Journey Home
6 The Jolly Glazier
7 Annie On The Stairs
8 A Folksinger's GPS
9 Swallowed by the Hole
10 Working Poor
11 Lick My Face
12 The Last Folksinger
13 Street Singer's Heaven
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I am fortunate to have worked with the amazing Seth Connelly of Humming Lake Studio in Brookline, NH. Seth was a real partner in this project from start to finish. There is evidence of his hand, head and heart in every second of every track. We had so much fun recording this album together. For more information about Seth and Humming Lake Studios, please visit www.sethconnelly.com.
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A small percentage of your contribution will go to the Kickstarter folks who provide this service. An additional small percentage goes to your credit card company for processing the transaction.
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If we don't reach the funding goal of $2500, you will not be charged anything, and I will not receive any funding from this Kickstarter campaign. That is why it is important for you to share this project with friends and other folks whom you think would like to join us to make it a success!
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Please visit TomSmithMusic.com. I post a monthly blog entitled "The Kitchen Musician" in which I include a video of my songs and observations about the world around me. All of the songs on my new CD "Journey Home" can be found, informally recorded and in a "Draft version 1" state. You can also find listings of my latest shows and the usual singer/songwriter propaganda. :) While you are there, please sign up for my mailing list.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
61
Backers
$3,001
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on October 15, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
Become a project patron! Your name will be added to my web site and in the program for my CD release celebration. (No dollar amounts will be listed.) Thank you!
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
The "Download Package". You will become a project patron and also receive an electronic download of "Journey Home".
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
The "CD Package". You will be listed as a project patron and also receive a CD of "Journey Home" before it is officially released. PLUS a special hand-made copy of my out-of-print family-friendly CD "Peace on Peabody Hill". (Outside of US, please add $5 for shipping.)
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
The "CD Celebration for 1 Package". You will get the "CD package" plus one ticket to the CD Release Celebration at Amazing Things Arts Center on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 3:00 pm. Many special guests will share the stage with me. We are going to have a blast!
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
The "CD Celebration for 2 Package". Same as the "CD Celebration for 1 Package", except you get two tickets to the CD Release Celebration at Amazing Things Arts Center on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 3:00 pm.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
The "Gift Giving Package". You will get the "CD Package" plus 3 additional "Journey Home" CD's for gift giving. (Outside of the US, please add $7 for shipping)
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
The "Birch Beer Records Package". To help launch this album, the good folks at Birch Beer Records have donated several great items to support this kickstarter project. You will get the "Journey Home CD Package", plus the following three great Birch Beer Records CDs - Dan Cloutier "Live at the Masquerade Ball", Kim Jennings "My Own True North", and Levi Schmidt "Like Water".
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
The "Music Lesson Package". At a mutually agreed upon time and place (within a 2 hour drive of Boston), I will give you a one-hour guitar lesson or songwriting discussion. (Longer if you make me a cup of tea!) I don't know any songwriting alchemy, but I would be happy to describe my process and compare it with yours. You will also get the "CD Package".
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
The "Concert Package". A solo concert at a time and location mutually agreed upon, within a two hour drive from Boston, MA. You will also get the "CD package". You can charge a small fee for folks to come to the concert, which could pay for the entire $200. Or just call it a party and invite your friends.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
The "Super Concert Package". Get some friends together to pool your resources to buy a super house concert, including several of my great musician friends. This must be at a mutually agreed upon time and location, within a 2 hour drive from Boston. You will also get the "CD package". Let's have a party!
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
The "Tour Package". You will get the "CD Package" plus a solo concert anywhere within the lower 48 United States or southern Canada. Plus my undying gratitude! (If this is within driving distance of Boston, I'll bring the band!)
Project By
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A well travelled singer/songwriter veteran with a rich and deep portfolio of well crafted songs delivered in fine, tastefully understated fashion with a dry wit guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's face. Tom has performed for audiences large & small, young & old throughout the Northeastern United States.
