Rick Dill - guitar, vocals, harmonica, jaw harp.
Steve Brown - drums.
Andrea Valetini - drums.
John Perry - electric bass.
Dan Mulvey - upright acoustic bass.
Marc Muller - electric guitars, slide guitar, pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, mandolin, resonator, violin.
James D. Pappas - piano, organ.
Bob Walters - dobro.
Max Dill - slide guitar.
Cliff Dill - electric guitar.
Tom Timko - saxophone.
Steve Jankowski - trumpet.
Eleanor Norton - cello.
Deb Lyons - vocals.
Maureen McCrink - vocals.
Byron Smith - vocals.
Jan Stevens - cowbell.
A complete list of musicians who have worked with Rick can be found by clicking here.
Influences
Spiritual - Jesus, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, St. Stephen, Mother Teresa, Khalil Gibran, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, St. John, Abraham Lincoln.
Musical - Mozart, Beethoven, Cole Porter, John Williams, Vivaldi, Satchmo, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Frank Sinatra, Marty Robbins, Jimmy Webb, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Robert Hunter, the Louven Brothers, Bill Monroe, Burning Spear, John Prine, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Van Morrison, The Beatles, J.J. Cale, Hank Williams, Ryan Adams.
This part of New Jersey is home to so many awesome musicians, and over the years I've had the good fortune to play and record with many of them. Blues players, like Chuck Lambert, Ron Rauso of the Tonemasters, "Bluesy" Joe Savio, the harp player Bill Harth, upright bass player Dan Mulvey, John Perry - bass player for renowned guitarist Tom Principato, and journeyman drummer, Steve Brown, who's been a friend and playing with me for over ten years.
In the bluegrass world, I've worked with and recorded extensively with the banjo legend and accomplished songwriter DW Griffiths. I count Dave among my very best friends and foremost musical inspirations. (He also rocks pretty hard on guitar.) Vic D'Amico recorded a tune with us on mandolin for the second album. Doug Baron has been playing dobro with me live and on record for years, as has "Dobro" Bob Walters.
The list of local country music players starts with one name: Marc Muller (www.marcmuller.com). Marc has country pedigree going way back, from several years as Shania Twain's sideman, to stints all over the world with established acts. I was lucky enough to catch Marc in a rare period of availability, and he kicked almost every song on the next album in the ass, sharing his talents on everything from pedal steel and lap steel to resonator and Telecastor.
A signature honor was having James D. Pappas play piano and organ on the same album. D is the touring organ player for Smokey Robinson, and he can make any song - any song - seem like a classic. It was the high point of my recording life to have D in my headphones while he was laying it down.
I've got friends in the rock world too, from killer trumpet player Steve Jankowski, and drummer Andrea Valentini, both with Blood, Sweat and Tears; to guitar slinger Bruce Wacker. Keyboardist Andy McDonough rocked Long Way Back, but he probably sees himself as more of a jazz player, and I've gotten some of those guys in the studio too. Tom Timko, a mad sax player with B,S and T; and Mike Gribbroek, a trumpet player who found his tone in Rudy Van Gelder's studio, and has also played gigs all over the world.
I'd like to introduce my buddy Frank Patrouch, who's written songs, played guitar, bass, accordion and been a wingman for me for so long I can't remember. Frank is the man and a great friend. I'd also like to express my appreciation for the talents of my vocal friend Maureen McCrink, who graciously puts up with my tin ear grating against her angelic voice. Maureen sings all over the place, mostly with her group, The Shirlies, and also with Holiday Express. I was proud to be helped on the last CD by Deb Lyons, a classically trained Broadway singer who toured for years with the Mammas and the Pappas as Mamma Cass Elliot's replacement. She was my vocal coach, too. Even more unbelievably, Byron Smith, another total pro with many tours and commercials under his belt, helped sing backing vocals on my third CD with Maureen and Deb. Hearing those three sing was incredible!
I'll never forget cellist Eleanor Norton, who has played on two TV on the Radio albums, riding a train down from NYC for a session. Also thanks to my friend and neighbor Dave Laurance for his melodic violin lines. Years ago Mark DiSciullo dropped into a rehearsal in T Byrd's basement, eventually he helped make the second Cd and now has a sweet studio in his basement. An inspiration since my youngest days has been and continues to be Rich Scott, with musical chops that won't stop. Thank you Ricky.
I was finally able to get both of my sons in the studio to cut a song, after a lifetime of patience. Seven Bridges Road, a song about DW Griffiths, features Max on slide guitar, and Cliff on lead. Needless to say I'm very proud of their efforts.
Besides being the best trumpet player east of the Mississippi, Steve Jankowski also has a beautiful set of ears in the studio (www.jankland.com). After many happy hours there, I believe 2009 will see the release of album 3, recorded, mixed and mastered by Steve.
The Silver Train keeps on rollin'. When all is said and done, the sound of life is music, and I've been writing about it, playing it with my friends and family, and riding on that silver train, for a long time now.
Music is a language I dream in, and I can mostly understand, but I don't speak it, and I can't write it. Music is a mistress I'm comfortable with, and when we're asleep we dream in unison. But we wake to chaos. Who can translate, so I can communicate?
Friday, March 20th....8pm-Midnight $10 at the Door Santa Fe Brewing Company-35 Fire Place Rd, Santa Fe, New Mexico Join The GROOVE CREW!!!! thefuseboxlive@gmail.com
see you there! Listen to Hardgroove every Saturday Morning on KBAC -Radio Free Santa Fe- 98.1 FM- The Fuse Box hosted by Hardgroove. Enjoy and be enlightened by the talent that comes to speak to Hardgroove on topics of days gone by as well as the here and now. Log onto Hardgroove. com to listen to past shows and keep up to date on all things Hardgroove.
910...that is a primus album, I forget which one. Carl is the absolute man, cool cat and bad ass jazz musician. I'm lovin the axe...now all I need is some gigs.
Hey!!:-) I'm so excited! As of today, my Single "enjoy the fall" that helped me tie with Taylor Swift on the Country Myspace Music Charts is now on sale! $0.99 download! on *Itunes and www. amazon. com
can't wait to hear what you think! thank you for everything
www. yellowribbonsupportcenter. com FALLEN SOLDIER'S MEMORIAL CD RELEASE NATIONALLY ON THANKSGIVING DAY Cincinnati Native Bootsy Collins Produces CD Project.With Charlie Daniels, George Duke,Brian Hardgroove with Hundred Year Flood, And 17 Other Artists Honoring Fallen Soldiers And Sacrifices Of U.S. Military.
Bootsy Collins and a very talented group of friends have special thanks in store for the sacrifices given to America by U.S. military forces. Inspired by the strength and perseverance of Keith and Carolyn Maupin of Cincinnati, whose son SSG. Keith Matthew, Matt Maupin was captured in Iraq by insurgents on 9 April 2004, The King of Funk, through his Bootzilla Productions Inc., assembled a diverse list of friends and voices to salute U.S. military forces with the benefit CD, Fallen Soldiers Memorial.
When are you going to come and play in Fanta Se. You would rock out here! Anytime you want to include Santa Fe in your World tour (somewhere between OZ and Eatontown, NJ) I'll buy the first ticket! love ya
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