William Ackerman (Producer, Guitar)

I first met Will Ackerman at Imaginary Road Studios in June 2006. He is a legend in the music business and one of the hardest working and most diligent producers in the industry. I was honored when he agreed to produce The Other Side. Will’s standards are extremely high and as an artist, I understood his quest for “the essence” of each piece of music. Will’s commitment to the finest art possible has driven him for the past 30 years to produce and play with virtuosos like Michael Hedges, George Winston, and Alex De Grassi. Ackerman used his skills and abilities to draw the pieces out of me and create a healthy flow from the recording room to the board. This passionate man of the Vermont woods is, in fact, a brilliant musician who invites vitality and truth. He allows the organic nature of his work, and the work of his artists, to flourish in a creative, flowing environment that fosters many Gold and Platinum records, along with a 2004 Grammy award for Best New Age Album, Returning. First and foremost, Will and I have become very close friends during the course of recording The Other Side. We have spent time on ridges, steep canyon trails, and in wonderful conversation around fires. Simply put, Will Ackerman is one of the most fascinating individuals I have ever had the joy of knowing. He comes from somewhere very, very deep and familiar to me. It was through the course of this project that Will and I left the roles of producer/artist and fell into a friendship that neither one of us could have predicted. It was through this friendship that we continue to ponder the issues of this life and of the way of the soul. Our viewpoints certainly vary, but our belief in love and matters of the heart are concretely shaped in the same manner. It has been a honor for me to work with Will Ackerman on this project and through this collaborative effort, bring to you The Other Side.

www.williamackerman.com/

Corin Nelsen (Producer, Engineer)

As an engineer and producer, Corin Nelsen received a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best New Age Album, Returning. He had also been previously nominated 3 times. He exemplifies the critical artistic elements needed to communicate the skills of the recording artist to the producer. In my case, Corin has been able to capture both the acoustic purity in the guitar and the depth of the vocal tracks that are a foundational part of some of my songs. Corin’s skills demonstrate a high level of expertise. He is a constant, steady presence in the studio environment, easing my mind, while fostering results with effortless grace, knowledge, and confidence. Corin is also one of the preeminent editors in the world of musical engineering and mastering. He continues to work closely with his long time friend and colleague Will Ackerman. The first time I met Corin was an awakening. He and I hit it off right away. I felt like I’d known him forever. The chemistry between Corin, Will, and I was intended. Like Will, Corin is a wonderful woodworker/carpenter. The detail in his carpentry can also be witnessed in his musical abilities. He invited me to his house way up on the side of a wonderful lush mountain. We spent time in the barn that he built as he fed his Cashmere goats. He is a silent, focused man with extraordinary talents. He is interested in the journey of the soul as well, and we’ve had deep meaningful conversation regarding mystical matters. I believe this is where Corin finds his capability to go into the music. If you are looking for a producer, Corin may be available for you and I highly recommend him. He can be contacted through his website below.

www.corinnelsen.com

Eugene Friesen (Cello)

Eugene Friesen received a Grammy award as a member of the Paul Winter Consort for the 1994 album Spanish Angel. Eugene is on the faculty of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and lives in Vermont with his wife, Wendy, and children. He has performed worldwide and his music has been inspired by trips deep into the Grand Canyon, travels in Brazil and Siberia, eye-to-eye contact with whales, and playing in great cathedrals and concert halls. When I watched Eugene write, and then heard him play his parts for Taoists Winds, I could not do anything but literally lower my head and cry. I was absolutely overtaken with joy. The room was dark with just enough light to see and I remember there was a comfortable chill in the Vermont air that night. Eugene just fell into the piece and Will, Corin and I just sat there with wonderful smiles on our faces, realizing what mastery we’d just witnessed. Eugene is a passionate man of music who fuses into his work like a cascading waterfall, unrelenting, pure and true.

www.celloman.com

T-Bone Wolk (Bass)

Hall and Oates’ bass player since 1981, T-Bone has produced Carly Simon, toured with Billy Joel, and worked with Jewel and Elvis Costello. T-Bone was a member of the Saturday Night Live band from 1986 to 1992. He exemplifies the Zen artistry of recording, with a defined and recognizable spirituality in his tracks. I have never witnessed such recording artistry. Rarely does any individual recording artist influence the scope of a recording project as does T-Bone Wolk. His ingenious contributions in creative writing and awe inspiring style of play made an incredible difference in The Other Side. I loved hanging out in Vermont with T-Bone, eating at Frankie’s Pizza, and talking metaphysics. T-bone has done it all, yet he is the least pretentious individual I’ve ever met. A heart of gold, he continues to work with many artists as he helps create wonderful musical canvas for their material. He reminds me very much of some monks that I have known in the past --in the way he goes places……..the ability he has to become one with the tune…..he is truly magical and transcendent.

www.tbonewolk.com

Dana Cunnigham (Contemplative Writer/Pianist)

Dana has a degree in Communication from Vanderbilt University where she also studied piano at the Blair School of Music. Her music is described as "deeply moving" and "soul-freeing" -- "transcendent" and "centering."  These terms certainly describe my experience.  Dana and I co-wrote a song for The Other Side, specifically requested by Will Ackerman, and the result is impressive.  Her piano piece was just wonderful to write to.  The music touched something deep in me and I felt “aligned” so that I could actually receive the words.  What I felt from Dana’s music was very contemplative and deeply stirring.  Although this track, The Colors of Our Lives, has not yet been heard publicly, early comments describe the piece as "breathtakingly tender."  Dana's most recent album, The Color of Light, can be sampled and purchased through her website.

www.danacunningham.com

Michael Manring (Bass)

Michael Manring has recorded with such legends as Michael Hedges, William Ackerman, Montreux, John Gorka and Patty Larkin. He headlined his own band, Montreux, throughout the 1980s. Manring is a technical virtuoso, using the bass as a solo instrument, usually in alternate tunings, which have always resonated with me. Michael's six recordings as a solo artist, Unusual Weather, Toward The Center Of The Night, Drastic Measures, Thonk, The Book Of Flame, and Soliloquy have earned him international critical acclaim. He has received two gold records, multiple Grammy nominations, a Berklee College of Music Distinguished Alumni Award, and numerous readers' poll awards including Bass Player magazine's "1994 Bassist Of The Year." He is known as a humble and gracious live performer with a gift for improvisation with guest musicians. His long-term collaboration and close friendship with the late acoustic guitar genius Michael Hedges led to a lengthy stint as house bassist for Windham Hill Records. the label founded by Will Ackerman.  He was also a Windham Hill solo artist. His latest release, Soliloquy, was performed entirely solo without overdubs and is considered the best recorded example yet of his depth and diversity. Soliloquy takes the listener on a unique musical journey. When Will told me that Michael Manring was going to be playing on The Other Side, I could not believe my good fortune. Michael’s significant contributions to The Other Side will be readily apparent.

www.manthing.com

Jimmy Ryan (Mandolin)

Jimmy Ryan's contributed his fabulous mandolin play to several pieces for The Other Side.  When he showed up at Imaginary Road and started to play, I was thrilled.  Born in Binghamton, NY, Jimmy spent his early life attending and playing at local bluegrass festivals.  His unique sound and style emanate from playing with such a diverse group of bluegrass fiddlers and pickers, mixed with his love of rock and roll.  Most noted for his left-handed imaginative mandolin playing, Jimmy Ryan’s old-timey voice and masterful songwriting reflect a seasoned musician indeed. He began his professional music career in a punk band Decentz and a traditional bluegrass band Pine Island, but he is probably best known for founding and fronting the bluegrass tinged rock band, The Blood Oranges in the late 80’s. Years before anyone had invented the label 'alt-country,' The Blood Oranges helped pioneer the style, with Ryan as lead singer and songwriter," claims Miles of Music. I am truly grateful for Jimmy's hard work on his parts of this album.  The results are amazing.

Jimmy Ryan's MySpace Page

Forrest Robinson (Drums/Percussion)

Forrest started playing drums when he was 4 years old and hasn’t stopped since. He says, “I just fell in love with something about it; I’m still not quite sure what it is, except for how it makes me feel.” Writing music is also something he fell in love with several years later and loves it at least as much as he loves the percussive world.   Forrest and I share the belief that music is as honest as it gets.  We both love to write and feel truly blessed to be doing what we do.  His credits include The UTADA UNITED Summer Tour dvd, now available from Toshiba-EMI and UTADA HIKARU's latest cd, ULTRA BLUE.  Also recently released are Forrest's live drum performance on the song Yellow from India.Arie's latest cd and the Music In High Places dvd: India.Arie: Live In Brazil. 

www.forrestrobinson.com

Derrik Jordan (Violin/Percussion)

One of the most versatile players in America, Derrik Jordon unleashes his vibrant style of play on The Other Side. Derrik’s electric violin track on “Palisade Queen” enlightened and invigorated the piece, along with his many percussive contributions throughout the project. In 1992, Jordan made his national debut as a recording artist on “Right As Rain,” a CD benefiting the Rainforest Action Network. He studied congas with master drummer Milford Graves and has traveled to Brazil, Trinidad, Ghana and Senegal, West Africa to further develop his craft. Derrik produced jazz, folk, spoken word, Native American and award-winning children’s independent recordings. He performs with many bands including Tony Vacca’s World Rhythms, Jo Sallins Three Man Quartet, Simba and Natural History.  I loved watching Derrik first listen to my songs and then add his own inspired gifts to the pieces.  I remember Derrik telling me that he considered the role of the songwriter/musician a very sacred thing, not to be taken lightly. I found Derrik to be a very sincere and honest man of music, and I truly appreciate his involvement with The Other Side.

www.derrikjordan.com

Jill Haley (English Horn)

Jill Haley is a classically trained oboist and English horn player.  A talented writer in her own right, Jill’s contributions to The Other Side, through her truly remarkable English horn, enhanced many of my pieces. Jill's work on the title track is simply masterful.  It was pure delight to watch and hear her play.  It is no wonder she is high on Will Ackerman’s list of “who to call.” Jill's credits include Exploding Colors, with David Cullen, as well as many other albums.  Jill has recorded with a wide variety artists, especially under the production of Will Ackerman.  She performs live on a regular basis with three different orchestras as well as several other artists. She is also a member of One Alternative, a trio consisting of herself and two talented guitarists, David Bozenhard and Mark Oppenlander.  The group's latest recording, Pendulum, may be sampled on their website. I am so pleased to have her contributions on The Other Side.

www.onealternative.com  

Noah Wilding (Vocals)

Noah Wilding is renowned for her angelic voice and powerful contributions to many critically acclaimed albums. Her “ethereal, wordless female vocals” have added a dimension of wonder, beauty and intensity to my music.  She is a frequent contributor to Will Ackerman's productions and when Will decided to add her voice to The Other Side, I knew we really had something special in the works.  Noah taught me more about vocal recording than I thought I could ever learn in a lifetime. Hearing her improvisational writing and tracking was something I had never witnessed from an artist before. It truly blew my mind……

www.noahwilding.com

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