January - 2021

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The Pandemic, The Legendary McCrary Sisters, and Grilled Cheese/Side of Grapes

The Pandemic, The Legendary McCrary Sisters, and Grilled Cheese/Side of Grapes

I knew that during his Nashville days my producer, Marco Giovino had worked with the legendary gospel group, The McCrary Sisters. They are icons in the gospel music world, and sister Regina had recorded and toured with Bob Dylan for many years. I really heard them adding their magic to a few of our tracks so Marco called Regina, and the Sisters were game. I consider their presence on 38 Degrees and Raining to be an honor. The pandemic proved a bit of a challenge but the Siste

About The Song: We Will Walk Though The Streets of The City

About The Song: We Will Walk Though The Streets of The City

Marco suggested this song, sending me a version performed by New Orleans street performer, “Mother” Mary Margaret Parker. I haven’t been able to find much specific information about Mother Mary, but her version was included on the LP, “New Orleans Jazz and Gospel, Vol 16” compiled and released by Larry Borenstien, New Orleans based art collector and founder of the legendary music venue, Preservation Hall. Digging around some, I learned that the song has been recorded countles

Mapping Environmental Racism

Mapping Environmental Racism

After I left my work as Chief of Staff to a Congressman on Capitol Hill, I spent the better part of the 1990’s in the world of environmental technology and related policy issues. I worked for an environmental services company that pretty much had it hands in all aspects of environmental infrastructure – waste management, energy production, water treatment, engineering. I took a job in their Washington policy office, eventually running the program and directing our interaction

About the Song: Here’s The Thing About America

About the Song: Here’s The Thing About America

I wrote the song back in April of 2020 when covid had already locked us out of the studio. One day, with a guitar and a notebook and no specific plan in my head, I started absent-mindedly banging on the guitar, pacing back and forth, and a simple chord progression began to emerge. At this point, I’ll often start just mumbling words, they may make no sense but sometimes they get me started lyrically. In this case, the first thing out of my mouth was the phrase “Here’s the thin

The Making of 38 Degrees and Raining: Song Selection

The Making of 38 Degrees and Raining: Song Selection

The first part of our pre-production ritual was the exchange of song ideas, which was very much a two-way street. I volunteered various songs of my own, several of which we had been gigging for some time, as well as some cover song ideas. Marco sent me probably 40 songs – from artists ranging from Joe Jackson to Keith Richards to New Orleans street singers – both for consideration for inclusion on the album and to stimulate ideas around grooves, tempos, and instrumentation. T

The Making Of 38 Degrees and Raining: Marco, Marco, Marco

The Making Of 38 Degrees and Raining: Marco, Marco, Marco

My musical collaboration with Marco Giovino began with the sessions for my 2017 record, “Gin & Rosewater”. I had been a fan of Marco’s from his work with Buddy Miller, Robert Plant’s Band of Joy, Norah Jones and others. Marco has a distinctive drumming style that is very textural and rhythmic. He uses all manner of shakers, chains and contraptions that he values for their unique timber and sonic contribution. He’s as hilarious as he is talented which is no doubt a contributor

Making Noise

Making Noise

I’ve been making noises since January of 2020 about getting to work on a new record. Well, we’re there. CD’s are being manufactured as we speak, we have official videos and several songs ready to be released as singles leading up to the release of a 7-song EP entitled “38 Degrees and Raining” on March 26th. 2020 will go down in the history books as one of the most challenging, frightening, deadly years we’ve experienced in modern times. All of that that impacted the process o

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