Fast forward to my time in Cleveland where I started teaching voice lessons. One of my students was a professional guitarist and at the end of almost all our classes we would jam out. One time I started playing my original "Never Let You Go" with him and suddenly the song transformed into what it was always meant to be. He played a new and exciting rhythm with a catchy solo lick that anyone who's listened to it KNOWs what I'm talking about. And at that moment I realized what Alex meant; he knew my songs had a potential that they weren't reaching with the Lucky Crickets. Many of my songs we actually never even performed because we were a band that collaborated and shared vocal solo time. That day I decided to take Alex's advise to begin my first solo project with a debut album.
I spent the next few months writing more songs to complete an album and in March flew to UT to have a promo photo shoot as well as record 6 of the tracks with my former band mates from the Lucky Crickets and Mountain Strings (as well as a couple other stragglers). Contributors include Al Struck, Alina Geslison, Alex Vincent, Brandon Riggs, Erin Patterson, Rob Qualls, Scott Monson, and Seth Carter. It was one of the most stressful weeks of my entire life because I was so worried I couldn't get it all finished in such a short time. And because of my stress I'm sorry to say I have NO PICTURES from the process (sad face). I recorded drums at Muse Music and the rest of the players in my old tour director Mark Geslison's studio.
The time after recording was spent collaborating with engineers Doug Olsen and later Colin Hatch (from June Cat) to mix, master, and produce this project into the CD it became. I can't tell you how surprisingly fun this stage was. It seriously felt better than Christmas every time I had an email from either of them with new mixes. I've never considered myself a bad mixer, but I didn't realize how fabulous mixers could be until I worked with these fine gentlemen. During this time I also recorded the last four tracks of the CD with my Tascam portastudio in Del Rio, TX and Boulder, CO. And I'm happy to say my voice student Al Struck recorded his guitar parts in "Never Let You Go."
By early September, Refinement was complete and it was time for promotion and partying! But believe me it was anything but a party yet. I had to create album artwork, order CD's, copyright with ASCAP, find a distributor that wouldn't rob me blind, make a paypal sales account, find a venue, design a website, and reteach the songs to my Provo, UT band all the way from CO.
But it worked! Octobert 18th, Trent and I drove to UT and arrived at around 11pm. I practiced with my band the following day for 6+ hours and that evening we performed the whole CD (except "Over There") and officially release the CD to the public!
Refinement couldn't have been possible without the talent of my band mates. I might as well be the most blessed new solo performer to have had such a professional level of talent surround me that night. Big thank you to Scott M., Alina G., Lucy T., Ben C., and Brandon R. for being the best makeshift backup band anyone could ask for. Also, big shout out to Doug O. for letting us use his (?...hehe) sound equipment and mixing the show so exquisitely. The CD release party was seamless thanks to your support. LOVE YOU BANDIES!
Also, thank you do my opener Officer Jenny for being the most haunting, disturbing soloist I know. Finally thank you to all who came: friends, family and new fans to support a female folk musician like me. Your faith in me gave me the confidence I needed for this night and all my opportunities since!
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