Ryck Kaiser - fiddle
Bruce Campbell - bass
Dede Wyland - harmonies
Jon Villa and Dillon Barr - trumpets
Gary Mackender - Hammond organ, accordion, graphics
Phil Borzillo - guitar
Paul McKeown - guitar, keyboards, percussion, background vocals
Jenny Ford - harmonies
Henry Koretzky - mandolin, guitar, background vocals
I first met Henry back in 1989, not long after I arrived in the US. I read in the Hershey Chronical about a bluegrass concert in Hummelstown, and wanting to find out more about the music in this new country, I went along. It was a great performance and after the show, I ended up chatting to Henry about the music. A few months later, I was invited by Ryck Kaiser to play with a new group, tentatively named the Beat Farmers and guess who was there, playing mandolin and hammered dulcimer? Yes, I was in the same band as Henry. Since then, the Beat Farmers, later known as Medicinal Purpose, went on to play throughout the region and even as far away as Ohio and Chicago. When the band stopped being active (theoretically, we're still in existence), Henry and I started playing as a duo (Unbowed) and a trio (Shades of Green & Blue - KJ was in the original lineup, later Deb Kauffmann, eventually Emmy Truckenmiller). Henry and I now often work as the Launies (aka Laune Rangers) or with him accompanying me. Henry has played on both my solo albums and is the uncredited genius who gave "Launie Tunes" its title (I'm a space cadet and always seem to make mistakes concerning Henry on liner notes - like leaving his name off or misspelling it!
Ryck and I first met up at an English country dance workshop in Hershey. Ryck then had the idea to form Medicinal Purpose to play at contradances. We also became the Feastie Boys, playing at medieval feasts at Bube's Brewery in Mount Joy, PA. Ryck has performed on all the albums I've recorded here in the US. Medicinal Purpose also made an album, "Uncorked".
Yes, another of the Medicinal Purpose founder members. He's also played on my two solo albums. I don't think I know a better bassist.
Medicinal Purpose played at a festival in Reading, PA, and I was meant to do some singing. Unfortunately, I was suffering from allergies and ended up sounding a bit like Tom Waits but not so good. Henry suggested doing some work with his friend and voice teacher, Dede. It seemed like a good idea, so I went along, met Dede and discovered my real voice. Dede and I have remained friends over the last decade and a half since then. She is a wonderful musician and a great person to know.
I had this idea that I wanted trumpets on the album. But I didn't know any trumpeters. I did know that my friend, Tucson-based singer Marianne Dissard, had trumpeters on her albums, so I called her up and she recommended Jon Villa. He's good! Unfortunately, his schedule and mine didn't coincide perfectly and I found myself in need of more trumpet work. That's when Mike Dunn, my recording engineer here in Tucson, suggested Dillon Barr. All I can say is that this town has an abundance of extremely talented musicians who also happen to be great people to know; and I found two trumpeters who fit the bill perfectly.
I first came across Gary in the early '90s when I reviewed a Mollys' album (it really impressed me), so I was thrilled when I discovered he was still playing here in Tucson after the Mollys had reached the end of their road. I went to see his band, the Carnivaleros, and was totally blown away by the musicianship of the players and of Gary's fertile musical imagination. I now try to see him perform whenever I can.
I met Phil through my friends Tim and Joyce O'Leary, when they suggested going along to see him play sometime. I love his way of playing; we ended up doing the occasional gig together, giving me the chance to spread my wings in Tucson somewhat. And naturally, I found a couple of tracks he might be interested in playing with me.
I first met Paul through Fanai, the traditional Irish music band I play in. We decided to record an album and we went to Paul's in Baltimore to do it. Cutting a long story short, I found Paul one of the easiest persons to work with in a studio - he seemed to understand innately exactly what I was looking for and knew how to get it. My first album with him was "Many's the Mile, Love..."; I had to go back to do "Chasing Ghosts".
It's a long story and she'll tell you something different, I know. We met at college when we ended up with almost identical courses. One day, she turned up with a guitar and I ASKED if I could play it. A few days later, I went to see her with her band and not long after that, she came to see me with mine. We ended up going steady for about a year, played music together during that time and even went to the same classes. The split was not a happy one, but we eventually got to be friends again (there's a great story there, too!) You're wonderful, Jen. Thank you!