Looking Back

March 1st, 2010 | By Shaun

It was the summer of 1987. I was six years old at the time and something unique happened that I will never live down. I was over at a friend’s house and we were in his kitchen getting ready to go swimming in his pool. A song came on the radio and it was “La Bamba” and it was a Ritchie Valens song from the 50′s. I think but I’m not sure, but I think Los Lobos was covering it back then for a movie that was out about Ritchie Valens’ life. I don’t think to this day I know what that song was about because it was all in Spanish, but I knew how it made me feel. I just remember being in that kitchen and in the corner was this old acoustic guitar, my friend and I would use to play air guitar with. Right then and there I knew I had to have one and I had to learn how to play. It was one of those moments that you hear people talk about when all of sudden it all makes sense, like you knew what your purpose was in life. That summer I got that guitar for my seventh birthday.

Now looking back I spent 20 years taking roads that would lead me far from that moment, all awhile knowing what was in my heart. Finally this year I was able to take a few steps back to that moment and record six songs that I had written over a period of time at Turtle Studios in Philadelphia. I was able to meet and bring to life my songs with the help of many amazing local musicians.

I would like to take the time to thank….Jay Levin (owner) of Turtle Studios for taking the time to intially meet with me when God knows I’ve always been insecure with my music, Jeff Hiatt (Producer, Engineer, Base player, percussion, amazing ear) of the EP who helped choose and shape the songs for the record and also share with me my love for Rock’n Roll with each tune. I would also like to thank by name all the players and singers on the EP. I’d like to thank Fred Berman (Drums) and Tom Walling (Drums) for keeping the beat when I never could, Nate Gonzalez (Guitar, Piano, Organ, Accordion) who brought the accordion and the ability to play any instrument asked of him, Andy Keenan (Guitar, Lapsteel, Pedal Steel) for bringing some southern taste to the songs, Ross Bellenoit (Guitar) need I elaborate? Every extreme 80′s guitar solo I ever imagined in my songs he delivered. Lastly, but certaintly one of the most important parts of the songs the vocalists. I’d like to thank.. Adrien Reju (Nobodys Home) who when I first heard her voice I knew it had to be on the record, Andrew Lipke (Crush, Please forgive me) for hitting the hight notes with such grace, and Todd Barneson (Come along, Ocean Drive) all the way from Wisconsin for lending his time and expertise.