Sean Staples: Mandolin/Vocals
Jabe Beyer: Guitar/Vocals
David Westner: Drums,
Steve Mayone: Bass
Influences
There are so many but here's a sampling of people who affected me along the way with a few comments here and there: The Beatles (Have you heard of them? O.K., it's almost a cliche now for a songwriter to admit being influenced by The Beatles but they really had an impact on me. I learned a lot about songcraft and melody from their records and still enjoy listening to them today. Especially, "Rubber Soul", "Revolver", "Abbey Road", and the recent "Let it Be - Naked"), Jackson Browne (especially the early records), Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Rod Stewart's"Every Picture Tells A Story" (this is before "Hot Legs" and "If You Think I'm Sexy"...'nuff said), Van Morrison, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen (Live Performance 101), early Aerosmith (first four records), Black Sabbath (really the "Paranoid" record. It was just so cool...and really scared my mother), Bob Dylan (pretty much everything but especially "Highway 61 Revisited"), Nick Drake, Richard Thompson, Crowded House, Neil Finn, Steve Earle (When his first record "Guitar Town" came out it changed my musical life and helped give me some direction. This was in the 80's remember and he was combining rock,pop,folk, and country and it sounded great. All of this without a hint of spandex), Lucinda Williams (what a great writer), Gordon Lightfoot ("If You Could Read My Mind", "Sundown"...come on), early James Taylor (helped out with the girls in my college days...), Daniel Lanois (I never hit the road without "Acadie" and "For The Beauty of Wynnona"), Aimee Mann, U2, Johnny Cash (I've always loved Johnny, but I just can't get enough of the "American Recordings" series he did late in his life. They're so incredibly intimate and captivating and they never leave my ipod), The Rolling Stones (again, a potential cliche but for my money "Exile on Main Street" is the best rock record ever made), The Replacements/Paul Westerberg (big fan), Gillian Welch, Graham Parker, EmmyLou Harris (sigh...), John Hiatt, Chris Whitley, John Prine (I was lucky enough to catch him live in London a couple of years ago, and was reminded just how cool this guy is. He's written so many great songs and graciously played many of them that evening, including "Angel From Montgomery". The place was jammed with adoring fans, and there was a lot of love in the room. It was just one of those special shows you experience every now and then), Townes VanZandt, Ry Cooder (check out "Boomers Story"), Tom Waits (where do I even begin?), ....I could go on and I'm sure I'm forgetting some people but you get the picture.
Happy belated birthday, Todd!! Was thinking of you on 12th, but had a lot to do during the last days, so I unfortunately forgot about it again. But it's never to late to send some good vibes, isn't it? Hope you're well?! Hugs & lots of love, Marion
Hi Todd, we are still remembering your wonderful concert in Licherode. And Susi is listening to "Northern Sky" all day (and night). Great stuff ... Maybe you got time to listen to some of my songs. I forgot to give you my new CD "Dreams and Shadows" on the bonfire near the pavillon in Licherode. But I'm sure we'll meet again. All the best for you ... and keep on rockin. Shiregreen from Germany
i have been a fan since little mystery you are a awesome songwriter really wish you would make it down south sometime like texas there are fans out here too
Hey Todd, been a fan of your music since the good old Courage Brothers days. Way back in the Mid-Nineties .... Also like your latest album with Mr. Joseph Parsons. All the best ! Frankie www. hooked-on-music. de
Hey Todd, that was a fantastic show in Dortmund, the first time I saw you and Joseph live, but certainly not the last time ^^. I'm listening to the "legal bootleg" again and again.
really big thank for the nice show im FZW ! You and Joseph could please the whole audience with your songs and jokes. It was really a pleasure again to listen you both.
hey there, Todd! thanks so much for this amazing concert in Dortmund with Joseph Parsons!! i so enjoyed hearing you guys live and it gave me the goosebumps!! thanks for signing the album and ...of course... enjoy the Spargel ;-) best to you! Nicole
"The Right One"- Did I miss a new album relaease in '07. I have all of your stuff dating back to the Courage Bros. Which I still listen to, love that stuff. Sorry, I know you moved on from it. But I appreaciate history as well as present day.
But this tune " The right one" seems new to me. So did I miss an album release?
Todd...how the things are going? Hope everything is fine! Looking forward to the 25th of April! I will be there and I believe that it will be a good evening! Will be excited about some good news! See you there! take care... Hugs and kisses...
Sorry about the spam! Yes, I got hacked. Live and learn I guess. I'll be more careful from now on. Thanks to those of you who wrote to me about it. Hope you're all well.
