By Request

April, 2006

When Dr. Snider and I were discussing the concept for a new CD, we knew we wanted to include some of the most requested tunes we perform. Often, when we perform people approach and ask for “Yellowbird” or “Marianne” or other “rum and coke” tunes. But we should put our own University of Akron spin on these classics. So we got some new arrangements together with the help of alums Tom Miller and Josh Quillen, old friends like Cliff Alexis, new friends like Jonah Koslen, and even current band members like Mark Halaiko. Of course, I would put my two cents in as well. So after finals are over in May, we get to work. A couple of rehearsals, a few days off and then into the studio!

June, 2006

Sunday, June 4

Today Cliff arrives and we meet him with the instruments at Commercial Recording Studios in Independence, OH. We load in and Cliff starts working his magic, “fixing up” our pans, some of which are over twenty years old.

Monday-Wednesday, June 5-7

The fun begins. We begin recording and learning. The experience learned in the studio is invaluable. There is no better way to prepare for the studio than by working in the studio. We have a few “casualties” and “meltdowns” but we also have everyone “steppin it up” at the right time. We even have an unexpected guest: Ray Holman stops in for a visit! He just happened to be in Ohio.

Thursday-Friday, June 8-9

Rich and I start the mix. The band and the pans sound phenomenal. We don’t need to do too much in the way of tweaking. A few things here and there and everything but Keron’s solo on “Green, Green G