Album Notes

TEXARKANA is a collection of songs that I have been working on for quite a while. I have performed locally for many years, bouncing around from project to project, with nothing ever panning out. My frustration led to a few unsuccessful recording sessions before realizing that in order to get a finished product that you can take pride in, you need to spend a little more and do it right. I collected a few local respected musicians that I had played with in the past, who were familiar with both my music and my intent, and I went for it. I believe that I took the right step and I hope that you will decide that as well.

The songs on TEXARKANA are diversified. You will hear shades of many forms of American music in this recording. My influences are quite broad but don't stray to far from the Stax era soul and country rock that I love. This recording does not serve as an album in the classic sense: as a contiguous collection of material written within a certain timeframe, with a desired mood and appeal. It acts more as a demonstration of my songwriting without being a "demo" type product. There was quite a bit of thought put into production and arrangement, but the specific focus was always towards showcasing the songs. There are only a few studio tricks employed and almost no reverb used at all on the vocals or guitar solos. The musicians were given the freedom to alter and add to the music as they saw fit, but without disrupting the songs as I heard them in my head.

The musicians on TEXARKANA are all veterans of The New England original music scene. Bassist Tom Martin is someone that I have collaborated with for over 11 years. He is much sought after sideman having played with Mark Miller, Vermont Singer/songwriter Chad and was, until just recently, a member of the rock band Starch. Slide and rhythm guitarist Ethan Bessey is a highly respected solo artist with four albums to his credit and a current member of the band Pondering Judd. Guitarist Justin Walton is a Berklee College of Music grad, a guitar teacher, and a current member of Drednaught one of the best and hardest working projects around. Justin provides multiple guitar tracks and textures as well as all of the guitar solos and piano. Drummer Rick Habib is also a current member of Dreadnaught. Rick has recorded drum tracks for both Dreadnaught albums as well as Ethan's solo projects.