This is going to be a very long post. I'm going to mention people and places, and I will likely neglect to include you....so if I do, please give yourself a shout-out below and I will kick myself before getting the proper thanks in order!
2021 started out at a standstill, but when I was finally able to get to work in May, it never really slowed down.
My proudest achievement of the year is the recording and release of my 2nd album "A Place to Call Our Own".
Just like my first album, it was recorded at Carpet Booth Studios in Rochester, Minnesota. The only difference there is that Nik Hamilton took the reigns in the studio. Thank you Nik and Zach Zurn for another beautiful and comfortable and professional experience.
Ryan Knudson played bass, Nate Warner played drums, John Nietz played guitar, Charlie Burket played violin (as well as cello and upright bass on '1987'), and check this out.... my awesome wife Maggie (in the Morning) sang backing vocals on the record!! That's a highlight for sure. Our friend Samantha Ryan joined her on harmonies. Thank you, gals. 😘
Let's not forget The Art of Jessica Bruss for my album and merch art, and Michele Nyman, Kate Klaus Photography for photography.
The album release show at Pure Rock Studios of Rochester was a great success as far as I'm concerned. Ben Gateno and Theresa Walter joined me on stage, as well as Miss Maggie and Miss Samantha. Another first. Holy s**t, Maygen & The Birdwatcher played that show as well!
I got to play the biggest show, attendance-wise, of my life so far. July 11th, opening for Lindsay Ell in front of something like 2 to 3 thousand people. Our band was on fire. That was a really incredible experience.
In the spirit of making up for lost time, I hit the road quite a bit, joining up on shows with my friends Jack Yoder, Kadie Meadows Music, Casey Joe Collins, Jeremy Jewell Music, Brent Bregar Music, Savanna Chestnut and The Field Hands, MoeDeLL, Leah Ina Marie Rachuj, Pat Egan songs, Becky Schlegel. Music & Folk, Sonofmel as well as the numerous bands and musicians at events like Black Mountain Family Reunion in Colorado, and Banjo Bash 2021 at LOY SHOW BARN in Minnesota.
I was fortunate to be able to play in a bunch of new states, meeting great people along the way. Venues like Jeremy's Juke Joint, Ruffed Up Duck Saloon, SheasTavern Reno, Kirby's Beer Store, The Old '76, The Ruin Fort Wayne, Ski Inn, Duke's Indy, Byron's In Pomeroy, Iowa are just a few that come to mind right away, but there were more.
What else....??
There was a radio appearance with Shawn at The Happy Trucker Show, a great side stage appearance at Moondance Jammin Country Fest, return appearances to some of my favorite Midwest spots, such as Thesis Beer Project, Limelight Pub, The Backroom Lounge, Chico's North of the Border, Montrose Saloon, and Bluenose Gopher Public House.
My music was reviewed and featured by numerous people and groups, such as Aldora Britain Records Community, My Town • My Music, Baby Blue Ballyhoo, Rogue Country, 95.9 KRFF “This Side Of Country” With Travis, Bourbon Trail Radio and The Cosmic Cowboy Cafe.
And folks, check out this beautiful review from Italy's Claudio Trezzani (Trex Roads/TicinoNotizie.it) ------->
https://trexroads.altervista.org/a-place-to-call-our-own-luke-hendrickson-2021-english/