Who are these people?
Here’s a little about someone of the musical contributors to New & Used Tunes, V.2, Dancing in the Light who aren’t described elsewhere.
First, the incomparable John and Cynthia Boelling. I met these delightful people and singers as I was singing bass with the choir of the First Unitarian Church of Portland. John was the tenor section leader, and a teacher of voice both privately and for the University of Portland. Cynthia sang with the altos, and before long, they were married. They both also sing regularly with the Portland Opera. I can’t mention them without mentioning Greta, their sweet and talented daughter. Back in the middle 2000’s, they offered their services to me to sing as a trio, and we sang together for about a year, working up the arrangements you hear on this album. In fact, the initial stimulation for this album was to document the pieces that we worked up together. It is such an incredible pleasure to sing next to people with rich tone and accurate pitch. Sometimes I was so busy listening to us that I would lose focus and drop my part. Sad in one sense, but it’s a good problem to have.
Second, there is my wonderful daughter Raina Rose. She decided to become a singer-songwriter too, after seeing all the success her dad has had. Back in the middle 2000’s, she piled into a Dodge Caravan with a bed in the back and began booking herself all over the country. I think she was on the road that first tour for 18 months. Now she has 5 or more albums out, and is well-respected in the folk community. She moved to Austin, TX, several years ago, and at the Kerrville Folk Festival met a bass player named Andrew Pressman. They are now married, living in Austin, and raising a couple of boys. I am a proud papa, indeed. http://www.rainarose.com/
Matt Hundley is a young fiddle and guitar player who I found on line in Portland when I needed just a little more fiddle playing, and he did a marvelous job.
Jon Batson, my dear old co-writer and friend, went on to become a novelist as well as a songwriter. He has since passed away. Check him out: http://www.therealjonbatson.com/
I’ve never met Pat Humphries, but I hope I do someday. She is one half of Emma’s Revolution: http://www.emmasrevolution.com/bio/pat/
I did get to meet Dave Carter on several occasions, and counted him as a friend. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Carter_and_Tracy_Grammer Tracy Grammer continues on without Dave, and here is her website: http://www.tracygrammer.com/
Halelupe, thank you so much for helping me: http://www.halelupe.com/HaleLupe/Home.html
And certainly check out Rebecca Loebe: http://www.rebeccaloebe.com/
Annie Mancini sang the alto harmony on Dancing in the Light. I met her through the Unitarian Choir. At the time she was studying to be a doctor, and I know that’s a good thing, but what a fine voice she has. I hope she doesn’t waste it saving people’s lives. Thanks, Annie!
My friend Patrick McNamara was exploring the idea of singing the tenor part for Dancing in the Light, and asked his friend Susan Peck to flesh out parts for the background vocals on the song as a starting place. She very kindly complied, and gave us the parts you hear, with some modification by me. Patrick found himself over-committed and John Boelling stepped in to sing the part. Susan, thank you so much for your contribution. I look forward to meeting you and thanking you in person. http://www.speckletone.com/
Here’s more info on my brother Bill: http://www.fiddlehangout.com/my/Bill+McClellan
And if you need a bass player who can really cut the gig, contact Andrew Pressman: https://www.facebook.com/drupress
And although she had nothing to do whatsoever with the album, you must go and visit the website of my other daughter, Marisa McClellan, www.foodinjars.com She can teach you all about preserving all kinds of food and has fabulous, unexpectedly delicious recipes for jams, jellies, pickles, butters, preserves and more.