01/02/2024
I’m extremely grateful to be alive and heathy. I’m lucky to have many loving relationships to make life delicious. I’m excited about 2024, and look forward to new horizons.
This past year was truly a roller coaster.
Seal Party released our debut album on vinyl, and did a 3 week summer tour ending with a slot opening for The Headhunters in August.
We also worked steadily on the follow up record, getting ready for an April release date. We put out the first single featuring piano wizard Jahari Stampley, and expanded our promotion team.
I had my busiest year thus far at Wally’s HydeOut, working on over 20 different album projects as a drummer, producer, and engineer.
I’m addition to helping local artists like EG Phillips Warren Teagarden Ghost Town Messengers and new band Orbit 17 make great records, I recorded touring jazz artists Nicholas Payton and Kassa Overall, world class flamenco guitarist Antonio Rey, and local legend Lester Chambers. I produced a record with the Headhunters and helped them manage a tour in Europe. I also set up drum sounds on sessions for some of the best drummers in the world, including Bill Summers, Prairie Prince, Mike Clark, Thomas Pridgen, Ele Howell, and James Small.
When the Sound Hits the Walls, a documentary about Hyde Street Studios is in production, and I have been working with them to help co-ordinate an inside view of the amazing musical community happening there.
I am indeed a lucky man !
So It was in many ways a great year, but I was faced with a lot of loss, as many close friends passed to the other side.
I would not be where I am without these people.
Gary Hobish, Bradley Reeves, Peter Schmidtke, Melissa Heeren, and Trevor Ruxin are all deeply missed.
I’m grateful for this time I have, the memories we share, and am doing my best to stay present, be kind, and to help people bring their music to life. Let’s make a bunch of great records together this year !
