Clear Run Expose

Posted by: David
Our State is a popular magazine that highlights interesting events and unusual places in North Carolina. It is always a treat to pick up this magazine each month and see what North Carolina potter, musician or artist is being showcased ---or what hiking trail, BBQ restaurant or local landmark is being rediscovered.

What a delight it was to flip through the pages of the newest issue of Our State (Feb 2010 issue) and see some very familiar faces. The magazine did a multipage ‘expose’ on Clear Run Grocery complete with photographs of many of the bluegrass pickin’ friends you’ve read about in this very journal. The article discusses how Clear Run got its start as a country store by the river and how it developed into the monthly bluegrass jamming spot it is now.

I was even more thrilled to see that the Our State website contains a video segment on Clear Run as an extra bonus feature to compliment the article. Included below is a link to this video. Unfortunately Jennifer and I were not jamming at Clear Run when this video or the article was written so we missed out on the fun that night --but we try to head out to Clear Run as often as we can for some good ole bluegrass pickin’ fun on the last Saturday of each month. If you have never had the opportunity to visit Clear Run or if you were not aware of it this video provides a peak at what you have been missing. Enjoy!

Snow Day Sessions

Posted by David

Being snowed-in this past weekend has been a great opportunity for us as we were able to spend lots of time in the studio working on the album. We were able to complete the recording part of several songs. There is still some mixing to do on these songs but the performing part is done.

Jennifer was having so much fun playing saxophone on Wayfaring Stranger that she actually broke her instrument. Nothing that isn’t repairable fortunately. Things were much safer when she was playing the penny whistle on God Made Me and You. She also sang her lead and backing vocals on several songs. When backing vocals were needed by both of us, we decided to sing them live together rather than on separate tracks. By doing this, the backing vocals sound more natural to us.

So far we have been able to capture just the right sound that we wanted. Wayfaring Stranger has a nice sparse jazzy feel to it, the recording of God Mad Me and You has the classic folk children’s song sound we wanted, and Cordelia’s Waltz is---well---creepy. Hopefully when the strings are added to Cordelia’s Waltz during our next recording session it will be even spookier.