Album Notes

Betsy is an illustrator, woodcut artist and award-winning author of nine books. Her popular woodcut prints and books appear in galleries throughout Minnesota and the country. "Antler, Bear, Kazoo - A North Woods Album of Songs" was inspired by her first three books: "Antler, Bear, Canoe;" "Gathering;" and "Tracks in the Wild," published by Houghton-Mifflin. The 32-page, full color CD booklet of illustrated lyrics features new and favorite prints of Betsy's popular woodcuts.

Michael Monroe
Michael is a singer/songwriter with five other (solo) albums to his credit. He has performed in venues throughout the country and has a large following in Minnesota. Michael was nominated several years ago for Indie Album of the Year by the Minnesota Music Academy. He recently performed in concert with Michael McDonald (formerly with Doobie Brothers), Bernie Leadon (formerly of The Eagles), Grammy winning songwriter Jon Vezner, and Kathy Mattea. Michael engineered and recorded "Antler, Bear, Kazoo" at his solar-powered, log cabin studio.

Maryl Skinner
Maryl Skinner hasn't won any awards that she can remember. But she did receive a grant for songwriting in the previous millennium. She has been writing songs for about 20 years and composed the melodies and lyrics for "Antler, Bear, Kazoo." Since 1995 she has written material (songs and sketches of a different genre) for a trio that she has performed with in Minnesota. As part of that group she has appeared on Minnesota Public Radio.

We had the privilege of working with a group of other talented singers and musicians - on drums, saxophone, trumpet, flute, banjo, guitar, harmonica, cello, fiddle, percussion - who helped make this project so lively and fun.

Maryl, Betsy and Michael live on Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior, where they work, play and celebrate life in the Great North Woods.