Many of you music friends know this, but for anyone new out there- hello and here’s the skinny. Earlier this year I worked as a producer with a band called A Fragile Tomorrow at Awendaw Green Studios. Producing their new record called “Tripping Over Nothing” was an absolute blast. The band has returned from tour dates with my all time favorites “Indigo Girls”. WOW! Oh the stories they tell.

Sean Kelly, principal songwriter for the group has come over several times to work on some jingles for an upcoming project, AND Sean tells me last week that he wants to produce one my songs. It seems things have come full circle. How cool is that?

Serious Focus

For the past month or so, I have been producing again. This time, at Sea Note Studios in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The band is Called “Ten Toes Up”. HOLY EARTH MOTHER!!! This band is insanely good. I have been getting to know the guys and their work rather well, to say the least.

I am new to producing albums for others, but man, I really dig it. There is NO coincidence in ANY of this, and I feel like I am exactly where I need to be and doing exactly what I need to be doing. I have way too much to say about this, but for now, I am going to enjoy the experience and keep it in the family for a spell longer. Sorry music friends, and rest easy because your mind is about to be blown once this record gets finished.

Playing a Back-up Guitarist on TV

I got a call from the show called “Army Wives” last month to play a back-up guitarist to the songwriter for the band “Five For Fighting”. Really? How cool is this? WAY GREAT. I learned so much from being on the set and watching a dedicated crew of people produce a show they love and that I TOTALLY LOVE> I do own seasons 1,2,and 3 of Army Wives, because it f-in rocks.

I grew up and Army kid. So when I found out that Matt Sefick, Producer of the movie “The Four Children of Tander Welch” was working on this Army Wives show, I became very interested and started following the show. HUGE FAN. I worked with Matt Sefick producing and writing the soundtrack for the Tander Welch movie a couple years back. YES< we finally got distribution for the film last month as well. NO coincidences here folks.

When I first watched season one of Army Wives, I was hesitant and wondered if they writers and fine craftsmen could capture what growing up in army life was all about. I mean it is called Army Wives, but it focuses on the whole family and how they deal with this life- you know? I was totally freaking out because watching seasons one brought back all these memories of growing up army. I laughed, I cried, and I started WRITING SONGS because I just could not help myself from getting inspired. That is why I own all three seasons of Army Wives. TOTAL FAN HUGENESS HERE.

The episode I will appear in is for season four. I think it airs in June. More news on that soon. All the musicians that backed up national artists on this episode were local musicians of great talents. I really liked the way this show took such fine care in showcasing local talent.

AMRY WIVES- MORE- Shelby Lynn comes to Charleston.

Late last year, Matt told me Shelby lynn was going to be featured in an episode of Army Wives. SHE ROCKS. Matt Seffick, Eddie White of Awendaw Green and Dan Henderson of Sun Coast Promotions put together a live music show for Shelby Lynn at the Circular Church in Charleston.

Again, local musicians were involved. Doug Jones, of Cravin Melon, Mark Bryan, of Hootie and The Blowfish, Mac Leaphart, Catherine Dudley, Cary Anne Hearst, James Berisford and ME TOO, all came on board to open for Shelby Lynn. She blew my mind with her awesome music, and to a sold out crowd of the finest music listeners, one of the best shows I have ever been a part of happened RIGHT HERE in the historic Circular Church on Meeting Street. Thank you to all who came and produced this event for letting me be a part of it. This was a really big deal to me.

So the Army Wives connection is huge here for many of us local folks. I could ramble for days here about my love for the ways this show and our finest locals came together.

Sol Driven Train

Fast trackers to national recognition, Sol Driven Train, are becoming one of the most important and KICK ASS bands to come out of South Carolina. Sol driven Train came to Awendaw Green recording studios to work with our resident engineer Nat Mundy. I was just hanging around, doing laundry, cleaning up, being my artist in residence self, and got to hear many of the tracks for their new album in progress. WOW. I was really a fly on the wall.

One day, (last month) I got a text from Joel Timmons, principal songwriter for the group, and he asked me to come down to Charleston Sound studios and do some back-up harmonies. I missed the text for like an hour because I was well, ON THE PHONE- EW! But I jumped right back and said I would be there asap.

I drove up the road a ways and walked in the studio, and immediately felt right at home. The tune I sang on is called “Orangeburg” and is about the Orangeburg massacre. INTENSE! Sol Driven train is GREAT. Joel gave me run to jam at the end of the tune too. He chose some crazy church bell as a sound effect, which went along wit hteh lyrics really well. I heard that bell and it transformed me. I have NO idea where it came from, but the melody just started coming out of my mouth and I sang. It was strange and good.

The only thing I can say is- “NO MIND” … I was simply doing in that moment. I sang the notes that came out unafraid, uninhibited and simply in that moment. It was a beautiful experience that will continue to shape me musically and as a human being with some awareness for the rest of my life.

These are just some of the amazing opportunities I have gotten involved with through NO coincidence over the past few months. Being resident artist at Awendaw Green is the key here. Without being at Awendaw Green, I don’t think all of these cool things would have come my way. Thank you Awendaw Green. I will honor you.

I must say, there are just a few notes fading out on the song “Orangeburg” where I sang free form, but this changed me forever. IT is some of the best vocal work I have ever done. It fills me with gratitude and understanding of life and music.

SO GRATEFUL

I am in a great place as a human and artist. I am able to help others, and spread the word for bands like “A Fragile Tomorrow” /”Sol Driven train” / “Ten Toes Up” / The Dead Petals” (coming to AG to record in July) and all these bands have in turn done the same for my work. How cool is this? It is true cool. The network we are all making together is priceless, timeless and true.

Charleston Music Group

This company is supporting many national and local artists. Stay tuned for my work with Mark Bryan on some Howle tracks. We have been working our asses off. I will tell more soon once the master mind Mark tells me the deal. HUGE THINGS are coming from this group of jedi-style musicians merging with the finest business people. Finely organized and simply divine are words that begin to describe how Mark Bryan is putting his master talents to work on a global scale for artists in our region and nation- you dig? Stay tuned.

Howle record.

Too many songs. Maybe I will make two. Send money and love my way to help out, or just some damn good socks. I seem to be running low on these right now. Hell, send a freakin target gift card- that would rock. I am on the cutting edge of many things right now, so help me stay floating above water. Publix gifts cards are cool too. Cash is best. JNot beggin- just saying.

Anyways, thanks for reading my long wind. May you do many things each day that fulfill you. We live in great times, despite what the media may project. Stay alert and trust and love on my friends. I know one thing sure, good music is coming out of Charleston and Awendaw Green. Will it change the world? Yes, it already has.

Seeing joy clearly,

DMFH