Well, as these things are wont to go there have been some slow goings and obstacles but here I am to tell you that the past two weeks have been quite productive.

     I had the pleasure of working in the studio for the first time with percussionist/drummer Sam Zucchini.  We had met last year when I was playing with Bobby Sweet and the BSweet Band over in Albany at The Linda.  Sam is the percussionist for Jay Unger and Molly Mason on their radio show, "Dancing On the Air" broadcast on WAMC.

     Sam and I spent a bunch of time that day talking music and recording and I knew I wanted to get him over to work on my next project.

     We got some great percussion tracks in what was the longest recording session I have ever done.  16 hours!  7 songs.  Yup!!!  Of course we did take two food breaks.  

     The main percussion rig Sam played consisted of a djembe, a bodhran and a tambourine.  Cool stuff!

     Thanks for the great playing and creativity Sam!

     Bobby Sweet was over the week before that to record a mandolin part on "Every Kiss Counts".  A tune I wrote in Colorado with Bob Rea.  A cool arrangement with just me playing acoustic guitar, Bobby on mandolin, and the both of us singing together.  Sweet harmony.

     Then tonight it was Bobby turn again.  This time playing electric guitar on a couple of tunes.  Moody electric tremelo guitar parts played on his old red Ovation Tornado through a black face Vibrolux.  

     Bobby is one of the most intuitive and tasty musicians I have ever known.  With very minimal direction from me Bobby never ceases to amaze me in that the parts he comes up with just always seem to be exactly what I was looking for, except I didn't know it until he played it!

     I was so glad to have Bobby be a part of my last recording, "Between Dreams and Regrets" and I am once again thrilled to have him be a part of this new album.

     Well, I'm a little toasty so I am going to sign off here now.

     Until next time ...

  I am nearing the end of phase 1 in which I track my lead vocals and acoustic guitar to form the foundation upon which some of my very talented musical friends will add to my tunes from their varied and colorful pallets.

  Phase 2 is a pretty exciting part of the process.  I start to see a picture of what my songs might grow up to be as they take on a life beyond their simple states of creation.  I send out roughs to my friends (with varying degrees of directions) to check out so they can start developing ideas in preparation for the fast approaching sessions where I can sit back and enjoy all that they have to offer.  

  I'm getting back to work now but stay tuned.  I'll be back soon.

  Peace out ... Bruce

Starting today, July 25, 2010, you can go to http://www.thenextweddingclassic.com/vote.html  to vote for "You Said Yes" (up to 3 votes per week per computer or ip address) through midnight Saturday July 31, 2010. 

Maybe "You Said Yes" will wind up as one of the top 3 finalists.   

Tell everyone you know (and everyone they know) to VOTE 3x! 

Thanks so much, I really appreciate your support in getting this far!!!

Let's see what we can make happen!

Bruce

     The weather co-operated just enough.  No rain for the fireworks on Friday.  No rain for the parade or for the fun and games on Saturday afternoon.  And no rain for the Crafts Fair on Sunday.

     It did rain pretty good for the Dance on Saturday night but we were all under a huge tent and it didn't dampen a thing.  Well, on stage, Rick and I got a few drips on our shoulders.

     The presentation of my Otis Bi-Centennial song, "Here's To Otis (1810-2010)" was extremely well received.

     In case you don't know, I am donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Special Limited Edition  "Here's To Otis (1810-2010)" CD to the Otis Free Public Library.  If you are interested in getting a copy you can find the CD for sale locally in Otis at the Otis Free Public Library, Terranova's Market, Hall's General Store and The Otis Poultry Farm.

     If you are not in the area, you can contact me through this website, let me know how many copies you would like, and where to send it.  They are $10.00 each and just add $2.00 for postage and packaging and send a check or money order to me at P.O. Box 156  Otis, MA 01253.

     Here's hoping we raise a big pile of green for the Otis Free Public Library!

Peace.... Bruce

     Well... when I recorded "Follow Your Heart" back just before the turn of the century, digital technology was not quite yet a teenager.  I recorded the record in the loft of my Log Cabin in Colorado using some of the latest digital recording equipment available at the time for the DIYer.  

     Now... jump to the 21st Century and the digital advances over a very short time boggle the mind.  Gone is the old digital sound that could sometimes be a little harsh or brittle sounding and here now is relatively affordable recording equipment that in the hands of the right person can produce what many say is a more pleasing analog like sound.  Of course, there are endless Analog vs. Digital debates and "relatively affordable" is just that, relative.

     Anyway, I recorded my second CD, "Between Dreams and Regrets" with better equipment at my disposal and it was Mastered by Toby Mountain at Northeastern Digital.  I found (and still find) myself really diggin' how the record sounds.  So, I thought when it came time for the next re-order of "Follow Your Heart" CD's from the manufacturer, that I would take my original mixes to Toby and have him do his Mastering mojo for "Follow Your Heart", taking full advantage of all of the technological advances that have been made since "Follow Your Heart" was recorded.

     Once again, Toby worked his magic, and brought the sound of "Follow Your Heart" into the next Century.  And once again, I'm diggin' it!

     So now you are wondering, "How am I going to be able to tell the difference between the old and the new versions of "Follow Your Heart"?

     There are a few visuals to clue you in.

Front cover:  Original - my name is black, Aspen bark is tinted blue.  New - my name is yellow, Aspen bark is   black & white

CD Jewel Case:  Original - CD tray and case spine is black.  New - CD tray and case spine is transparent with a black & white Aspen forest visible through.

Back Cover:  New - The song list now has the lengths following the titles.  The copyright notice now reads 1997 & 2010

     Of course, my contact info has been updated as well.

     Now if you happen to misplace the case and find yourself left with only the disc, the Original disc has orange lettering and the New disc has green lettering.

     I hope you will check the newly re-mastered "Follow Your Heart" out.  It sounds great.

     Peace... Bruce

     It was a smashing success with fund raising goals being met and surpassed!  Johnny Irion and Sarah Lee Guthrie did a great job getting this event together. 100% of the net proceeds are going to the United Nations Foundation's Help us Help in Time: Central Emergency Response Fund.  Over $20,000.00.

     It was a wonderful evening with many magical musical moments! (please excuse the excessive alliteration here!).

     Doing things to help others, like "A Concert For Loved Ones In Haiti", or going to Hailti to help out those in need really feeds the souls and spirits of all of those involved.  Whether you are one who is giving, or one who is receiving.   

     I think I speak for all of us who performed last night when I say that the heart and love we put into our art becomes a whole new "thing" when there is a purpose like "Concert For Loved Ones In Haiti".  It becomes bigger than all of us.  The greatest reward for us as Artists, is to know that what we do has touched someone and effected their life.  In the case of last night, not only did we reach out for fellow Human Beings in dire need, but along the way, we reached a theater full of caring and supportive folks.  And you know what, as if that is not enough, on top of this, all of us musicians got to hang out and put our voices together at the same time, on the same stage.

     How often do we get to do that?  Speaking for myself, not enough. 

     So thanks to Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, The Guthrie Family, Martin Sexton, Erin McKeown, Tift Merritt, Meg Hutchinson, Kris Delmhorst, Jay Unger and Molly Mason, The Mammals and, of course, Bobby Sweet and The BSweet Band (Pete Adams and Rick Leab, who I have the pleasure of playing with often but not often enough) for joining together on so many different levels!