Album Notes

Hola amigos. 10 years have come and gone. I’ve written over 200 songs, released 11 CDs, and performed over 1000 shows. I have given my heart and full self to every performance and will continue to do so as long as you keep coming. Every show is an opportunity to captivate and welcome you into my musical world for a few hours. That’s what live music is. It’s the truth behind the production. It’s the honesty behind the artist. It’s the only thing the “machine” can’t touch. And although I believe that nothing can capture the moment nor should it, (since that moment is exactly that, “a moment”) I sometimes can’t help but want my fans to take the live experience home and somehow share that with others. That, I know, is impossible. However, in the winter of 2006 I decided to try. I began recording selective live performances that would be released randomly year in and year out called “It’s Good To Be Live”.

The first volume was released in 2006. 300 copies were printed and sold within two months. After its success fans asked for another one. In 2007 I recorded volume 2 along with percussionist Dennis Stringfield, but the project encountered an irreversible mishap. The studio was destroyed when workers from the electric company, working outside the premises, accidentally sent 220 volts into the building frying everything. All equipment and audio recordings were lost. It was devastating. However you can find some video footage of the show on my YouTube page.

After putting the pieces back together and gathering funds, in May of 2008 I decided to try it one more time. And so, volume 2 is here and this time... “With a rage”. May 23 was magical! Not even the thousands of insects that literally crawled all around our instruments and bodies would deny us of an evening of pure expression. As you can see from the cover we couldn’t shake all of them off.

This recording captures all my acoustic performance transformations: solo, duo, trio and even four piece. Unlike other shows, this one portrays vividly the infamous three hour “JM JAM NIGHTS”. It’s all there, the songs, the improvisation, the human error, the stories, the energy, the magic. So enjoy, spread the word and I’ll see you at a show real soon. This one goes out to you.

MUCHAS GRACIAS:
Darrell and Sherry Henderson for opening their home to us and allowing us to perform in their fabulous backyard. Darrin and Kim Henderson, Ed and Kim Webber and Kurtis Ohse for organizing this fabulous event. Joe Meyer, Dave Aholt and Jim Peters for their amazing musicianship. Larry Cowsert, Travis King, Chad Killion, David Kerins and the rest at 12 Bar Productions for recording and mixing the CD. Eric Grossman, Dennis Stringfield, Logan Detering, Carl Glad, Brad Sarno, Jacob Detering, Jay Brandt and Livefeed for their support. Finally thank you to all the fans who attended the show and those who continue to follow my musical journey. Above all thank you to my wife for her unwaivering support and love, my son for the strength he gives me, and God for the gift!