So this is happening, and I get the rare occasion to perform on bass guitar with some pretty damn stellar Gainesville musicians all accompanying the one and only Michael O'Meara - songwriter, storyteller.
I had the pleasure of producing O'Meara's album, "The Right Track", which is a showcase of a life living and lived - past, present, future. It evokes memories, beauty, friends, loves lost and found, and the landscape of dreams and journeys. I know that sounds hoity-toity, but it just so happens to be true. Tickets are still available for this concert, but going fast.
The album recording process was interesting. I had this idea of a group of musicians around a campfire just having an early evening jam (inspired by Musician and Engineer, Rob McGregor's Hootenanny gatherings.) My idea was that none of the guest musicians would hear anything--not a note--about the song they were going to play on. We invited them each, by turns, into the studio and they heard the song for the first time literally as they were going to record their parts. This creates a real immediacy, a little danger, a little adrenaline, which I hope we captured on the recordings to make this album a truly original and exciting experience. Often, the guests--under the pressure of the moment--made choices they might never have made if they rehearsed a part as is the norm in these situations. The surprises that happened musically were so exciting and rewarding, and I truly believe that together, we captured something pure and special in support of Michael's gifted songwriting. As for Michael, his guitar and voice work is mostly first take, guitar and voice delivered at the same time. More then half of Michael's tracks were recorded in the control room. These would normally be considered "scratch tracks" and be re-recorded at a later time after the other tracks are successfully laid down. I didn't call them "scratch tracks". I called them, "done."
It is this immediacy, this in-the-moment work, that articulates the intimacy of Michael's songwriting, and you will not only hear, but feel this music. I was honored Michael and Eileen O'Meara trusted me with the vision. I can't wait to see you all at the CD Release Concert Friday at Heartwood: Jan. 26, 2018.
Here's the official press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ITEM: Michael O'Meara will be releasing his new album, "The Right Track" on January 26th with a live performance and recording at Heartwood Studios. Limited Seating.
Produced by local artist and musician Tom Miller at Rob McGregor's Golden Tone Studios, O'Meara's album features some of Gainesville's finest musicians and was mastered by Grammy Award Winner, Michael Fuller (Credits include Sister Hazel, America, Rod Stewart, BeeGees, George Clinton, and many others.)
The album is a reflection not only of O'Meara's travels and stories, but also of Gainesville's unique musical community. Tom Miller, Producer of "The Right Track" said, "With this album, I insisted the guest performers have no advance knowledge of the music or what they would play in the studio. Like a campfire jam, I wanted the album to reflect an in-the-moment feel. Musicians just show up, strap on their gear, and go. Every performance outside of Michael's outstanding songwriting--from the drums to the harp, from the accordion to the DoBro--was literally invented by each artist on the spot in collaboration with my direction. This gives the album a sense of "nowness" and presence you'll never hear anywhere else."
At Heartwood, Michael O'Meara and special guests will play the entire album, and simultaneously create live video versions of the songs in which the audience gets to be a part. Heartwood's state-of-the-art sound design and listening room is the perfect environment to enjoy the rich tapestry of O'Meara's raw and real music. Guests include Jason Hedges (Heavy Petty), Mark Archer (Thin Skins, Pine). Larry Thompson (Chuck Martin's Genius Boy Band), Tom Miller (NDolphin, Space Masons, Genius Boy, Bill Perry Orchestra), Kim Chalmers (Space Masons), Kellie Rucker, Jeff "Lightnin" Ladenheim, Michelle Banfield, Nicholas Caputo, and Jon Jackson.
We would love to talk about the album and share this musical event with your readers.
ABOUT MICHAEL O'MEARA:
A Story to Tell Michael O’Meara was raised primarily in Brooklyn and the East Village of New York. At around thirteen he read “Bound for Glory” by Woody Guthrie and without knowing the first thing about guitars or music set his cap to accomplishing playing the songs that inspired him. These consisted mostly of the early and later folk artists such as Pete Seeger, Cisco Houston, The Weavers, Ramblin Jack Elliot, Odetta and so many others.
Michael started playing in Greenwich Village in the early Eighties at places such as Gerde’s Folk City and also along MacDougal Street with some of the Fast Folk crowd and Dave Van Ronk. By this time was working on trying to write and craft his own songs. He then left New York City after a stint as an iron worker on the Brooklyn Bridge and printing fake headlines in Times Square. He headed out west and ended up in Grand Junction Colorado. He opened for Dave Van Ronk there as well as played in numerous venues.
Michael has lived in a few other places before arriving in Gainesville, FL in 1993 such as San Francisco, Bisbee, AZ and Westport, CT.
Michael has opened or played with Keb Mo, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, John Lee Hooker, Robert Earl Keen Jr, Townes Van Zandt and the aforementioned Dave Van Ronk. He released a CD called “Chronology” in 2013 which feature songs he had written spanning 30 years.
WHERE: Heartwood Studios - 619 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601 - (352) 448-4849
WHEN: Friday Jan. 26, 2018 / 7:30 doors.
COST: Tickets $12-18
TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michael-omeara-cd-release-and-live-recording-tickets-41314412520
Michael O'Meara CD Release and Live Recording Tickets, Fri ...
www.eventbrite.com
Eventbrite - Heartwood Soundstage presents Michael O'Meara CD Release and Live Recording - Friday, January 26, 2018 at Heartwood Soundstage, Gainesville, Florida.
EVENT PAGES: https://heartwoodsoundstage.com/event/michael-omeara-cd-release-and-live-recording/
Michael O’Meara CD Release and Live Recording | Heartwood ...
heartwoodsoundstage.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/162014744410600/
Michael O'Meara CD Release and Live Recording
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Songwriter Michael O'Meara's richly textured voice resonates with integrity. He has been down these tracks. He has experienced the virtues of the...ABOUT THE ALBUM:
Michel O’Meara – The Right Track
Album Notes
Songwriter Michael O'Meara's richly textured voice resonates with integrity. He has been down these tracks. He has experienced the virtues of the American tapestry. O'Meara articulates, in music and song, our shared hopes, dreams, ideals, and the memories of places past and friends long gone.
Recorded at Goldentone Studio
Gainesville, Florida August-October 2017.
Engineered by Rob McGregor
Mastering by Michael Fuller – Fullersound, Inc.
Produced by Tom Miller
Executive Produced by Eileen O'Meara
Michael O’Meara - Guitar, Vocals
Special Guest Musicians:
Mark Archer - Dobro (5,9,11)
Jeff "Lightnin" Ladenheim – Electric Guitar (7,9,10)
Nicholas Caputo – Accordion (4,11)
Larry Thompson - Drums (3,6,7,9,10,11)
Jon Jackson - Drums (1,2,5)
Tom Miller - Bass, Piano (9), Tambourine, Egg
Kellie Rucker - Harmonica (7,11)
Michelle Banfield - Vocals (5,10,11)
Kim Chalmers - Violin (1,2,3)
Jason Hedges – Electric Guitar (6)
Cover Art Concept by Michael O'Meara
Cover Photo by Tom Miller
Photo and Jacket Design by Don Traub
All Songs © 2017 Michael O’Meara
Michael O'Meara Homepage: https://omearasongs.com/
Michael O'Meara
omearasongs.com
Home page of Michael O'Meara, from Gainesville, Fl
# # #
I had the pleasure of producing O'Meara's album, "The Right Track", which is a showcase of a life living and lived - past, present, future. It evokes memories, beauty, friends, loves lost and found, and the landscape of dreams and journeys. I know that sounds hoity-toity, but it just so happens to be true. Tickets are still available for this concert, but going fast.
The album recording process was interesting. I had this idea of a group of musicians around a campfire just having an early evening jam (inspired by Musician and Engineer, Rob McGregor's Hootenanny gatherings.) My idea was that none of the guest musicians would hear anything--not a note--about the song they were going to play on. We invited them each, by turns, into the studio and they heard the song for the first time literally as they were going to record their parts. This creates a real immediacy, a little danger, a little adrenaline, which I hope we captured on the recordings to make this album a truly original and exciting experience. Often, the guests--under the pressure of the moment--made choices they might never have made if they rehearsed a part as is the norm in these situations. The surprises that happened musically were so exciting and rewarding, and I truly believe that together, we captured something pure and special in support of Michael's gifted songwriting. As for Michael, his guitar and voice work is mostly first take, guitar and voice delivered at the same time. More then half of Michael's tracks were recorded in the control room. These would normally be considered "scratch tracks" and be re-recorded at a later time after the other tracks are successfully laid down. I didn't call them "scratch tracks". I called them, "done."
It is this immediacy, this in-the-moment work, that articulates the intimacy of Michael's songwriting, and you will not only hear, but feel this music. I was honored Michael and Eileen O'Meara trusted me with the vision. I can't wait to see you all at the CD Release Concert Friday at Heartwood: Jan. 26, 2018.
Here's the official press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ITEM: Michael O'Meara will be releasing his new album, "The Right Track" on January 26th with a live performance and recording at Heartwood Studios. Limited Seating.
Produced by local artist and musician Tom Miller at Rob McGregor's Golden Tone Studios, O'Meara's album features some of Gainesville's finest musicians and was mastered by Grammy Award Winner, Michael Fuller (Credits include Sister Hazel, America, Rod Stewart, BeeGees, George Clinton, and many others.)
The album is a reflection not only of O'Meara's travels and stories, but also of Gainesville's unique musical community. Tom Miller, Producer of "The Right Track" said, "With this album, I insisted the guest performers have no advance knowledge of the music or what they would play in the studio. Like a campfire jam, I wanted the album to reflect an in-the-moment feel. Musicians just show up, strap on their gear, and go. Every performance outside of Michael's outstanding songwriting--from the drums to the harp, from the accordion to the DoBro--was literally invented by each artist on the spot in collaboration with my direction. This gives the album a sense of "nowness" and presence you'll never hear anywhere else."
At Heartwood, Michael O'Meara and special guests will play the entire album, and simultaneously create live video versions of the songs in which the audience gets to be a part. Heartwood's state-of-the-art sound design and listening room is the perfect environment to enjoy the rich tapestry of O'Meara's raw and real music. Guests include Jason Hedges (Heavy Petty), Mark Archer (Thin Skins, Pine). Larry Thompson (Chuck Martin's Genius Boy Band), Tom Miller (NDolphin, Space Masons, Genius Boy, Bill Perry Orchestra), Kim Chalmers (Space Masons), Kellie Rucker, Jeff "Lightnin" Ladenheim, Michelle Banfield, Nicholas Caputo, and Jon Jackson.
We would love to talk about the album and share this musical event with your readers.
ABOUT MICHAEL O'MEARA:
A Story to Tell Michael O’Meara was raised primarily in Brooklyn and the East Village of New York. At around thirteen he read “Bound for Glory” by Woody Guthrie and without knowing the first thing about guitars or music set his cap to accomplishing playing the songs that inspired him. These consisted mostly of the early and later folk artists such as Pete Seeger, Cisco Houston, The Weavers, Ramblin Jack Elliot, Odetta and so many others.
Michael started playing in Greenwich Village in the early Eighties at places such as Gerde’s Folk City and also along MacDougal Street with some of the Fast Folk crowd and Dave Van Ronk. By this time was working on trying to write and craft his own songs. He then left New York City after a stint as an iron worker on the Brooklyn Bridge and printing fake headlines in Times Square. He headed out west and ended up in Grand Junction Colorado. He opened for Dave Van Ronk there as well as played in numerous venues.
Michael has lived in a few other places before arriving in Gainesville, FL in 1993 such as San Francisco, Bisbee, AZ and Westport, CT.
Michael has opened or played with Keb Mo, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, John Lee Hooker, Robert Earl Keen Jr, Townes Van Zandt and the aforementioned Dave Van Ronk. He released a CD called “Chronology” in 2013 which feature songs he had written spanning 30 years.
WHERE: Heartwood Studios - 619 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601 - (352) 448-4849
WHEN: Friday Jan. 26, 2018 / 7:30 doors.
COST: Tickets $12-18
TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michael-omeara-cd-release-and-live-recording-tickets-41314412520
Michael O'Meara CD Release and Live Recording Tickets, Fri ...
www.eventbrite.com
Eventbrite - Heartwood Soundstage presents Michael O'Meara CD Release and Live Recording - Friday, January 26, 2018 at Heartwood Soundstage, Gainesville, Florida.
EVENT PAGES: https://heartwoodsoundstage.com/event/michael-omeara-cd-release-and-live-recording/
Michael O’Meara CD Release and Live Recording | Heartwood ...
heartwoodsoundstage.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/162014744410600/
Michael O'Meara CD Release and Live Recording
www.facebook.com
Songwriter Michael O'Meara's richly textured voice resonates with integrity. He has been down these tracks. He has experienced the virtues of the...ABOUT THE ALBUM:
Michel O’Meara – The Right Track
Album Notes
Songwriter Michael O'Meara's richly textured voice resonates with integrity. He has been down these tracks. He has experienced the virtues of the American tapestry. O'Meara articulates, in music and song, our shared hopes, dreams, ideals, and the memories of places past and friends long gone.
Recorded at Goldentone Studio
Gainesville, Florida August-October 2017.
Engineered by Rob McGregor
Mastering by Michael Fuller – Fullersound, Inc.
Produced by Tom Miller
Executive Produced by Eileen O'Meara
Michael O’Meara - Guitar, Vocals
Special Guest Musicians:
Mark Archer - Dobro (5,9,11)
Jeff "Lightnin" Ladenheim – Electric Guitar (7,9,10)
Nicholas Caputo – Accordion (4,11)
Larry Thompson - Drums (3,6,7,9,10,11)
Jon Jackson - Drums (1,2,5)
Tom Miller - Bass, Piano (9), Tambourine, Egg
Kellie Rucker - Harmonica (7,11)
Michelle Banfield - Vocals (5,10,11)
Kim Chalmers - Violin (1,2,3)
Jason Hedges – Electric Guitar (6)
Cover Art Concept by Michael O'Meara
Cover Photo by Tom Miller
Photo and Jacket Design by Don Traub
All Songs © 2017 Michael O’Meara
Michael O'Meara Homepage: https://omearasongs.com/
Michael O'Meara
omearasongs.com
Home page of Michael O'Meara, from Gainesville, Fl
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