Blue Night Records News

DAN CRARY AND THUNDERATION have just finished “Perfect Storm,” Dan’s first release with us.  The “Thunderation” team was composed of Steve Spurgin (bass, vocals), Don Stiernberg (mandolin, harmony vocals), John Reischman (mandolin), Keith Little (mandolin, banjo, harmony vocals), and budding stars Luke Dewhirst (banjo, harmony vocal) and Martin Stevens (fiddle, harmony vocal).  We’re thrilled to offer “Perfect Storm” through the conventional outlets and download sites, and honored to have Elderly Instruments (www.elderly.com) filling orders before its July 1, 2011 official release date.

 

STEVE SPURGIN’S “Past Perfect,” which was released in April, 2011, is doing very well worldwide.  For some reason, the folks “down under” have embraced it quite strongly, and it is receiving much attention across the airwaves.  Could be the rugged nature of many of the tunes, could be Steve’s voice, or it could be the string wizardry of Uwe Kruger (guitar), Jens Kruger (banjo & guitar), Rob Ickes (dobro), Adam Steffey (mandolin) or Rusty Holloway (upright bass).  We’re happy our Australian cousins have taken such a shine to “Past Perfect,” and we hope the word continues to spread. 

DON STIERNBERG’S “Swing 220” still has legs as well.  Since its June, 2010 release it has become Blue Night Records’ top selling CD.  The project was Don’s idea from the start, and we sealed the deal in January of that year.  We kept it simple, using only mandolin (guess who?), guitar (Jeff Jenkins) and upright bass (Rusty Holloway).  We also decided to present only some old, familiar swing chestnuts.  Thanks to all of you who have downloaded it, or who actually bought a real copy, complete with liner notes and a disc.  Tradition carries on, as we all know. 

LAURA RAE, our Media Promotion Consultant, for the last year and the primary force behind the radio airplay "Past Perfect" and "Perfect Storm" are enjoying, has added advance tour promotion and booking to her ever-expanding skill set.  You'll also be pleased to know that she can also heal wounded animals, explain the mechanics of a chicken's cloaca, and grow any vegetable known to mankind.

Finally, we have expanded into the “Americana” genre.  Some call it “Roots” music, some call it “Contemporary Folk,” and still others, like us, don’t know what to call it.  Be that as it may, we’re still trying to make music that moves people.  It might make you nostalgic for grandma’s biscuits (or even for grandma herself), it might conjure up a lost love, it might get your feet tappin’ and fingers snappin’.  If it makes you feel something, we’ve done our job.  Thanks for listening.

Cheers, 

Steven Briggs, President

Blue Night Records