Kickstarter

It's time to do another album!  Ready to finish my 7th studio album:

Back in 2010 I started a Kickstarter campaign (still a bit unknown then) and successfully raised my goal of $5,000 with the help of YOU folks to go into the studio and record THE BIG SHOW.  It was picked up and released by Lower 40 Records (USA) & Blue Rose Records (Europe) and I have been touring for a year and a half to promote it :)

But back in 2009, before I decided to try the Kickstarter project for THE BIG SHOW;  I had been recording with my band just for fun.  Here's how it started:

DON WILLIAMS / IRISH WHISKEY NIGHT @ EASTWOOD STUDIOS

January of 2009:  I was owed a bit of studio time for helping my good friend with one of his projects, and I bought dinner and some drinks for two of my other good friends/musicians and we recorded a song for my girlfriend's birthday gift.  It was, I admit, a love song.  Not something I do that often.  Everyone had such a good time that we decided to make it a regular thing (assuming I still had songs to keep the party going).  So we dubbed these semi-regular-recording sessions the "DON WILLIAMS / IRISH WHISKEY NIGHTS".  We all shared a love of the Don Williams records of the late 70's and early 80's...and wanted that type of "quiet arrangement" on everything we did (and he knew his way around a love song).  I would bring a bottle of Irish Whiskey and we'd all hang out and I'd play a new song and we'd all go in and record it.  No instructions of how/what/when to play anything to the band.  It was all just whatever felt natural to everyone.  Usually we'd do a song 2 or 3 takes, all live, and that was it.  We'd then all listen back and decide which one we ALL liked the best.  Sometimes we'd do another tune...usually we'd just drink and watch YouTube clips and then go home when we got tired.  

We recorded 7 songs during the first part of 2009 and we were never intending to record an album.  It was all just for fun (save for my initial birthday gift to my lady).  And we decided to keep our little club intact and not open it up to other players...so that the music had the same vibe to it. However, touring and work for all of us (Eric Fritsch, Alex McCollough, Martin Lynds, Jen Gunderman, Dave Coleman and Tim Marks) took us in different directions the rest of that year. 

But since then I've written a few more songs that fit that 70's Country Folkish-feeling (ala those Don Williams records I love so much) we were all aiming at.  And I really want to present these recordings to the rest of the world.  I am aiming at a modest $5,000 to finish this album.  We will go back into the studio and record 3 or 4 more songs plus go back and finish up the previous songs we started.  It will take about around $2,000 to pay all the musicians for their time; and around $2,000 to record, mix & master the project;  and about $1000 for artwork, graphic design & manufacturing. 

*Remember, you can pledge as much or as little as you wish.  $1 or $1,000 it doesn't matter.  Kickstarter puts a 'hold' on your pledge with your credit or debit card to verify the account.  And after the 60 days, IF I have reached my goal of $5,000;  then they will charge you the amount you pledge.  And just like last time, I will spend more than the $5,000 I am seeking to raise:  but that amount 'Kickstarts' this project into being close to the finish line.  I will be scheduling work on the album in April should we reach our goal.  The hope is it would be completed in the summer of 2012 sometime.  We may not have an official release till the Fall, but all of YOU will get your album as soon as they show up on my doorstep.

Here are a list of songs the band has already recorded.  This gives you an idea of how the album will sound:

1.  EMILY'S EYES

2.  JUST LIKE A SAD SONG

3.  THE BOOBIE BUNGALOW GENTLEMEN'S CLUB

4.  STARDUST

5.  I'LL BE YOUR JOHNNY CASH

6.  HEARSAY

7.  I AIN'T LONELY (I'M JUST LONESOME)

Here are a list of some additional songs I've written that may make it onto this album:

*  HORSECAVE, KY

*  SANTA CRUZ RIDGE

* GOLD AND SILVER

*  DON'T LEAVE ME NOW

*  AIN'T NO SNOW ON THE GROUND ON CHRISTMAS DAY