CD Release at the Music Cafe

Tuesday, February 24th was magical. Surrounded by friends, I sang the songs from my Wander Not Lost CD at the Music Cafe at the Fitton Center in Hamilton, Ohio. Sharing the stage with me were Peg Buchanan playing violin, Tim Kelly playing guitar, harmonica and bouzouki, my grandson, Nick, playing bass and my husband Jim on percussion. We were so very lucky to be joined by Lenny Hall on Chris Haubner's Hope for Snow and Roberta Schultz sang harmony on Just Like Tom & Huck and The Ribbon. Joining us for the night of music were my friends - Papa Joe, Wendy Hawkins, Phil Schwartz, Greg Buening, Daryl Mahan, Gary Schultz and my buddy, Carol Mahan who took photos for us.

The folks at the Music Cafe are the most welcoming of any venue I have ever met. Greg on the sound board, Mark as emcee, Keith (booking) and the great folks who worked the stage and the refreshment table.

It was a night to remember and that was made easier by the lovely birthday present from Carol Mahan. She brought me a journal scrapbook which already contained articles and blogs! What a great present! (These are her photos)

I had originally planned to just make a CD for my family and friends but due to the wonderful music contributed by my talented friends, I give these to anyone who enjoys my stories and songs!

Wander Not Lost - Finished At Last

After many nervous days and hours, I have my new CD, Wander Not Lost, in hand. Jim picked them up from QCA on Friday and I have been spending every available moment since then printing the labels for the cardboard sleeves and the inserts to go inside. Because I consider this a work of folk art, I am doing so much hands on so it will be a personal gift to the people who take a copy home and listen.

I can't find words enough to thank all of the musicians, family and friends who helped me with this project.

If you would like to hear any of the songs, they are on myspace.com/prudencehunt

Enjoy!

Anticipation

We finished the CD in the studio last Thursday and now its in the hands of QCA who will make 100 copies for me. I am very excited and will jump in the car the moment I get the call that they are ready. I never thought I would make a CD much less make one that sounds so good. That is all due to the wonderful musician friends who helped. Next Tuesday evening is the CD release of Wander Not Lost at the Music Cafe at the Fitton Center. We are hoping for a fun evening.

My Musician Hat

I'm hopefully days from finishing my first CD. Wow, its fun but stressful. I was blessed with the contributions of more than a half dozen of the best artists in Greater Cincinnati. David Wolfenberger played piano and guitar and sang on "The Mirror". Chris Haubner wrote the beautiful song "Hope for Snow" which he gave to me and then added vocals, piano and guitar. Roberta Schultz not only sang harmony on two of my songs but was invaluable in the production of the project. So was Dan Murphy from Group Effort Studios who made me feel comfortable and treated me like a true musician. He gave me the same patience consideration he would give even the biggest of stars. My husband Jim played bohdran, asiko and bongos on the songs and Dan Murphy added bass and strings from a keyboard. My buddy Tim Kelly was there with not only the best moral support imaginable but also on vocals, guitar and bouzouki. Peg Buchanan added violin to most of the pieces and is the newest member of our musical group, The Sweeneys. Although this is not a Sweeney CD, Tim, Peg and Jim made it possible for me to take on a solo project. So a million thank you's to Dave, Chris, Roberta, Dan, Tim and Peg. I couldn't have done it without them. My dear husband Jim has been my greatest fan forever and without him there would be no music. I also have to thank Papa Joe who was one of the first friends to help. Although we didn't end up using his tracks, his inspiration and example made it a better project. I thank my daughter Chandra for her frank comments about the songs and the way there were performed. I also thank my friend Carol Mahan for her support throughout the past year. Last but not least, I thank all of my fellow musicians who support and inspire the whole music community in our area.

Wander Not Lost is scheduled to debut at the Music Cafe at the Fitton Center in Hamilton, Ohio on February 24th, the day before my birthday. That is, as Grandma would say, "Lord, willin' and the creek don't rise". Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

Hurray for Pete, Robert & Allison

I was so pleased as I watched the Grammys last night to see music that I love being awarded for its excellence. Being a 50-something, most of the music my kids and grandkids listen to is not always something I can relate to. (Yes, I have become my mother after all) However, Robert Plant of Led Zepplin, one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE musicians was awarded for setting away from his comfort zone and trying something new. He and Allison Krause created a wonderful CD of music and I was thrilled that they received 5 grammys.

Best of all, Pete Seeger, 89 years old, showed us that we are artists no matter what our age. I was so happy that just eight days after we joined him in song at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, the recording industry awarded him the Best Traditional Folk Grammy.

Way to go!

Knitted Hat - Ann Arbor Folk Festival

I wore my warm, knitted hat when we headed out for another Get Outta Here to the 32nd Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival. We had complications with our rental car on Friday morning but we made it to Ann Arbor in time to stop by our motel and then look for the Hill Auditorium on Michigan's campus. We followed Phil & Karen but their GPS was acting up and we toured most of the campus before finally arriving at our destination. Hey, my dad used to say that you find the best places by getting lost. I was amazed at the size of Ann Arbor and the Michigan campus.

We found our seats and at first were a bit dismayed at the distance from the stage but as soon as the concert started we realized the sound in the Hill Auditorium was wonderful and with the help of our binoculars, we saw and heard everything.

The first night started off with some new names but we feel sure that they will be names that everyone will know before long. First up, Katie Herzig and Chelsea Williams followed by the Ragbirds. A young man by the name of Joe Pug did only one song but it was phenomenal and we were all left wishing for more. The Ryan Montbleau Band was followed by Old Crow Medicine Show and then the crowd went crazy for the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The last artist of the evening, Jeff Tweedy, was who the younger crowd had come for but they all seemed to love everyone who played. This had to have been the most age diverse crowd I have ever seen and it made me glad to see them loving every type of music that was presented from Bluegrass to folk to zydeco and more. Jim Lauderdale was the emcee for the evening and played a song while each band was set up.

We left happy to have been there and we agreed that the five hour car drive was well worth it!

On the way out of the Auditorium someone turned to me and asked "Are you Prudence Hunt" How strange this sounded since I knew no one in Ann Arbor. A young couple, also from Cincinnati, was up for the festival and recognized me from one of the children's concerts we presented. The mother said her daughter loves the children's CD, Isn't It a Wonder, and knows the words to every song. It made me so proud!

We stopped for a very late dinner before turning in to enjoy another day of great music.

On Saturday morning I ate, then swam, then ate again (no wonder I need to loss 15 pounds) and then our group headed out in three different directions. We met up again at the theater, totally excited about the prospect of seeing Pete Seeger. He did not disappoint. He came on stage just before intermission with his band that consisted of Sarah Lee Guthrie (Arlo's daughter and Woody's granddaughter) and Tao Rodriquez Seeger, his grandson and their band. Pete led us through harmonies and sing alongs and I doubt there was anyone in the audience that wasn't moved from sharing that space with Pete. It was almost spiritual.

The other acts of the evening were also phenomenal. I loved Girlyman and Claire Lynch and I enjoyed Kris Kristofferson. His voice is not the same but his songs are just as wonderful and his solo, acoustic presentation had us hanging on our seats. Wow, what a festival.