Here is the new album which I have been recording for the last year in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Over the course of several trips, I was able to record over 20 bluegrass and slack key musicians whom I have met over the last 15 years through being involved with the Bluegrass Hawaii organization. After one of the campout events in 2023 where I got to perform with a pickup band, I decided to make this virtual “band scramble” album which features several of my original tunes. All tracks were recorded in various living rooms, parks, apartments, lanais, and backyards throughout the island. All of the musicians went into the sessions “cold” and did not get to rehearse or even listen to the songs beforehand. They were only allotted a couple of ” takes” to create a sense of spontaneity. This is very much what the typical backyard jam or “Kanikapila” may sound like when these folks all get together.
Mahalo Nui Bluegrass Hawaii and all of the musicians who helped make this happen. I appreciate all the influence and music we have shared over the years as we continue to grow on our own musical journeys. Everyone certainly added some magic to this soup which makes it so much greater than just the sum of the parts.
You can pre-save it here for Spotify and Apple Music. It is also available on bandcamp and all other streaming platforms.
Spotify
Bandcamp
https://randman.bandcamp.com/album/island-time-with-bluegrass-hawaii-vol-i
