Gratitude

This time of year we are mindful of all the ways in which we are blessed. As brother and sister we are grateful for our family and for the way music continues to bring us together. We are thankful for the talents we have been blessed with and for the opportunities we have to continually develop and share them. We are thankful for each person who finds joy in music and especially for those we share our music with. It means the world to us to have the love and support of so many. Thank you.

And thank you Kelly and Amanda for the fantastic interview and pictures. Photo by Amanda McDonald (she's the bomb!)

RMAF in Great Falls

Well, we've been to Great Falls Montana and back for the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs Showcase and Convention, and because I got NO awesome pictures of the great musicians and people we hung out with for a few days, I'll just have to make do with the pictures from the road :) It seems that when the fun was happening, I wasn't getting any pics! Good thing there is a next time. On our way we ran into storms, black ice, semi-wrecks, beetle-killed forests, prescribed burns and equally desolate and glorious scenery.

My favorite thing on the road was Jesus. Yes, we found Jesus on our way through Butte Montana. I only wish we could have seen it glowing in the darkness, as I've heard it does.

Our time at RMAF was spent with great friends and great music. We loved watching the showcases and we loved the jam sessions after hours even more. Many thanks to John, The Bad Larry's, The Doo-Wah Riders, and more fantastic musicians for sharing your songs and stories and time with us. Playing together made our trip. It was so fun to see the new talent this year as well. We hope to see you on the road this summer.

On our way home, I realized that we didn't have one picture of us this year, so we took these shots about halfway through our trip to Wyoming.

We only made one stop, in Dell Montana, where we revisited Yesterday's Calf-A and their to die for food.

GOOD REVIEWS FROM TAXI

Cal sent in a few songs to Taxi for them to critique and here is some of the feedback we got;

On the song FREE ~ "The vocal duo and cohesive, tender narrative, the acoustic guitar playing and well put together chord progression frame the vocals quite well here. The perspective is obviously romantic, but inrospective."

WESTERN NIGHTS ~ "Well thought out imagery reveals your love for this part of the country. . . sweet chorus and vocal harmonies (here is my favorite part) The set up recalls the work of John Denver, accessible and easy to relate to."

AMY ISN'T AMY ~ "Dramatic narrative . . . title . . .. good message behind this sad tune. Harmonies are a plus."

Then they comment on our style and give an overall critique of our work.

"Country influences . . . traditional/folk elements."

"It's no stretch to say that your music can potentially work for play-lists that feature Faith Hill and Tim McGraw".

"Warm, natural and 'organic' vocal blend, shared sense of sincerity, vocal emotion come through here. You have an excellent range and 'pure country' vocal sound."

"Clear vocal timbre, personal lyrics and well crafted, natural arrangement here."

"After hearing your work, we're not surprised that you've shared the stage with so many stars. Keep getting your music out there."

If you want to hear the songs they are talking about you can get a preview on CDBABY (click our link at the top of our page) and we are also on THUNDERBOLT RADIO, where Amy Isn't Amy is on the playlist. If you want to REALLY hear us, hire us:) Or come to a show, we'll be posting more dates soon! Thanks for listening everybody!

Somebodys Off!

NEW INSPIRATION

Driving home from work last night on snowy roads I flipped through the radio stations and stopped cold when I heard one of my favorite songs "BLUE EYES CRYIN' IN THE RAIN", but it wasn't good old Willie singing, and it wasn't Brandi Carlile either :) It was Eva Cassidy. Her phrasing and beautiful tone and effortless winging from one note to the other nearly broke my heart. How have I lived my life without her voice on my playlist? So lest you live the rest of YOUR life without Eva enriching your musical catalog, turn on my playlist and hear her for yourself. I didn't find her version of Blue Eyes, but I found "EARLY MORNING RAIN".

p.s. yes, I am aware that I'm a total music nerd :)

KRISTY MAYES PHOTOGRAPHY

Our cousin Kristy Anderson Mayes stayed with us for the weekend and we did several photo shoots. She has such a great eye and was very patient with our perfectionism :) Many hours were spent shooting and editing. We really appreciate the time she spent and are so happy with the finished product. We're putting together our promotional materials for the Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs Showcase this year in Great Falls Montana. It's exciting to have new music and pictures to work with. We can't wait to see everyone and spend some time playing.

Here is a sneak peak of some of the pictures so far;

Christmas ALREADY???

Some things his sister does makes Cal do THIS . . . . . . For example; THIS


He does not understand why I would leave my home and family and 'work' through the Holiday Season. I've tried giving up Caroling in Sun Valley, but I just can't :) It's become not only part of what I do, but also who I am. I can't think of a better way to spend the Holiday's than in Sun Valley Idaho singing my vocal chords into oblivion!

I've yet to convince Cal that he should join me in Singing Christmas Carols and ringing handbells, but he's not buying it.
YET!

*you may be wondering why a Christmas post already? Well, Christmas starts early around here with gettting music ready for December, and I was just confirmed as a Sun Valley Caroler again this year, so I'm giving all my family a heads up to book their rooms in the INN now ;)
Cal and I are also working on a Christmas project that we hope to finish sometime before next Christmas. Hey, it's busy here in the Fall, you'll have to give us some extra time:)

Not To Be Missed!

Concert Weekend

I had a fantastic couple of days in SLC and caught three great bands before heading back to the mountains. My friend Liz was game and we drove her little focus to the city for the Brandi Carlile, Giving up the Ghost tour. Brandi's new CD drops in October and SLC's THE DEPOT was the first stop of her tour. We loved the venue and the opening band was fantastic as well. I had checked them out on myspace and listened to the song Brandi did with them; MY REPAIR. I knew both bands were going to be great so we forgoed the great looking seating and stood on the floor the whole night. I really showed my music nerd side checking out the sound system, and guitars (OH! THE GUITARS!). I also wanted to slam some drunken heads together so they would shut up while the band was playing. (I contained myself;) The picture below is of the first song Brandi did with her band, OH DEAR. She added a guitar player/slinger and a drummer to the mix this time and I have to admit, it didn't detract from the acoustic vibe I love so much. She still did several songs without them, and the ones with added vocals, guitar, piano and drums were fuller and richer. It was a great sound! Before Brandi took the stage THE NOISES 10 hit it hard, and although they are a far to the indie side I loved them as well. They were pretty tight and the vocals were on. I love it when a band sounds like the recordings they put out.

Even though my friend Liz wasn't familiar with very many songs played that night, she still loved the concert and bought some CD's which I think is half the point of live music. I left feeling totally inspired and equally covetous:)

We stayed at THE HAMPTON INN and thank goodness for air conditioning and down comforters:) We awoke so refreshed that I checked on line for tickets to the UTAH STATE FAIR which we had driven right by on our way to the concert the night before. I was pretty sure THE BAD LARRY'S were playing there, so we got a schedule, discount admission online and because we were feeling adventerous we got all day ride passes to the CARNIVAL! After making ourselves sick going on ride after ride, but forgoeing the "redhead special" we dragged ourselves to THE GAZEBO to enjoy THE BAD LARRY'S. They were the perfect antidote. Not only is their set list entertaining but their witty banter had us cracking up. Liz loved them as well and we were glad to be able to pick up their newly released CD after the show. Scott and Jay are always so welcoming and invited us to tag along to lunch at THE RED IGUANA. I wish I had some pics of our adventures that day, but alas my camera chose to die on me. Even though there is no picture proof, the food was divine and the company fantastic. It was the perfect ending to our girls weekend. Thanks Scott and Jay! We listenend to our new CD's the whole way home. I'm already planning my next concert adventure.

Preston and Gaudy Maude

Cal and I ran out to Preston Idaho for a two hour show at the Franklin County Fair Saturday morning and when that was done we raced back to Star Valley for the Gaudy Maude Balloon Festival dance. It was such a fun day. Preston always feels like we're playing in Mom's living room just with a few more people:) We really appreciate being invited back to play this year. They treat us so well and it's a nice low key atmosphere. The Balloon Festival was a new thing for us this year and because it was a dance we added Stephanie on the bass and Dave on the drums to fill it out. All the rehearsals were worth it, we had three great sets, people showed up to drink and dance and we can't wait for the next one! Dave's sis. in law took these pictures of all our family and friends. Thanks for sharing the good times everybody!
Shan, one of my favorite people, came out to support us. It was great to chat with him for a minute between sets.


Thanks for the pictures Shan!

Cal and I are excited that we now have the flexibility to play in either a band or just as the two of us. We loved playing for a dance, it seems like people don't get out and shake a leg often enough. It was such a great day.