Album Notes

Twice Twenty came into being by way of introduction, when Mike Bishop's Brother Steve introduced Mike and Ernie Beland to each other. Steve, it's important to note is one of Ernie's best friends. Steve had been trying for some time to put the two of them together. Steve an avid musician himself, recognized Ernie's and Mike's niche abilities.

Believing they would compliment each other, Steve made it his pursuit to get Ernie and Mike together when the time was right.

As fate would have it, the two separate projections Ernie and Mike were working on with other musicians came to an end at the same time.

Dead ended and frustrated that their talents were yet fulfilled, Ernie and Mike took Steve up on his latest attempt to put them together.

On his advice they met to compare experiences and artistic philosophies about the time of winter 2000.

Guarded but optimistic, they liked what the other had to offer.

They decided to give it a try, so they co-wrote their first song together, "Don't ever forget".

As they later put it, "the experience was unlike any they had ever had before professionally, each seemed to know what the other was thinking".

"Don't ever forget" to them, "stands as the song that allowed them with the others help to reach their full potential".

With this one success in pocket, they decided to co-write two more songs, "I am him" and "Blue".

These two songs cemented what they already suspected.

Mike and Ernie's strength played two each other near to a perfect melody.

With three songs now complete, Mike and Ernie decided to take their collaboration as far it will take them.

They just finished their first CD together, "The thousand yard stare".

They know not what the future holds for Twice Twenty.

They do know that they have "never been more proud of any project in their entire lives, music or any other for that matter.

For the record they thank Steve for introducing them, that and what the introduction produced, the band"Twice Twenty", and more importantly a growing friendship.

Mike and Ernie at a Glance: Ernie, Mike says, "demonstrates a unique ability to use words in a way that paints vivid pictures to his deep and thoughtful expressions.

He accomplishes this by not travelling down the road of worn and tired lyrical cliches prevalent in music today.

Listen closely to the words and you shall be moved with his messages." Ernie enjoys writing poetry as a compliment to his song writing! He plays rhythm guitar for the band.

Ernie's influences have been many.

His two major influences have been Bob Dylan the songwriter/prophet, and Emily Dickinson the great American poet.

Mike, Ernie says, "To know Mike is to know he is a humble person.

I consider him and extraordinary musical talent.

His keen insight and gifted musical ear is a vehicle for his vision of music.

When Mike adds his melodies and chord progressions to my verses, the songs/stories come alive.

"Mike has absorbed many influences.

R&B, folk, and Country to name a few which are evident in his music.

Mike has performed with bands in venues in New York City and all over New England playing bass; he opened for Rodney Crowell at Soundstage in Boston.

He was a member of the Knots & Crosses band as well.

A few more points of interest, Mike and Ernie live in New England.

The band name "Twice Twenty" came by way of an idea do to a birthday.

A friend of theirs was turning forty, Twice Twenty being a derivative of forty.

More info can be found about other band members and what Twice Twenty is up to on their web-site; www.twicetwenty.com Sincerely, Thanks for your interest in us from the bottom of Twice Twenty's collective heart.