Compilation CD

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Cyndi McCoy
Sky-Hi News

A new compilation of original music by Grand County artists is creating a buzz.
Titled "This Side of Berthoud," the collection is being put together by Teresa "Tree" Hill and Slopeside Productions in association with other independent producers. It features some of the latest work of more than 18 local musicians and bands.

Volume 1 will be available to the public starting this Sunday at a release event and party, with additional volumes to follow.

The purpose of the project is to expose Grand County music to a wider audience, said Hill, who has recorded and produced bands, including her own music, for five years. She realized that her "passion is to give songwriters the ability to record their music, and share their talents with audiences outside their own" and her company Sacred Herb co-produced four of the tracks on the first album (Mickey Sandora of band 3rd Time Lucky has been helping produce some of the work).

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Profits generated from CD sales will not only benefit the musicians (many who perform free shows throughout the area year-round), but will also form the foundation of the Grand County Recording Fund.

The fund will be used to subsidize recording cost for any musician living in Grand County. Availability starts a year from the release date and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

"The facilitation and encouragement of producing and recording artists living in this area," Hill said, "will enable a larger listening audience and will highlight the Fraser Valley area as a destination to enjoy music."

Volume 1 artists include Ali Grayson, One Time, Stereomaid and Mary Hemme — each who submitted one original song and retain the rights. A year after the album's release, Hill will calculate royalties to be split evenly among the artists (minus the cost of the CD and retailer commission) and at that point the artists can donate to the fund.

It includes One Time's "Long Shot" hit (featuring the late, great "Craigy T" Thompson ..s and Cecil "Peanut" Daniels MIDI horn), "Hello" from Stereomaid's anxiously awaited album, Grayson's joyous and reflective "Just a Glimpse," Hunker Down's perfected "Winter Waltz," and a pleasant surprise with nitty gritty "Travelin' Man" by Hemme and her son Boy Elroy.

"I'm really psyched at the way it turned out," said guitarist Matt Brown of Hunker Down.

"It's really cool to have a nice representation of what's going on in the valley (musically)," added Greg Travis, Hunker Down washboard player.

Stereomaid singer and songwriter Eric "Oly" Olson said he's very happy to be a part of it.

"The whole idea is a good one. It is cool that Tree took the time and initiative to make it happen and put it all together (kudos to her) and all the hard work I'm sure it took," he said. "We have a lot of talented musicians here in Grand County and it's great that someone took an interest and the time to let it be known."

Future artists to be featured in the series include the Sofa Kings, the Andy Irvine Blues Collective, Franklin Brown, Gaia Blue, Royall, Hendrix, Osborne and Key; Yaniv Salzberg, The Hot Jalopys, The Neighborhood Heroes, Simon Nicol, Claddagh, Jed Henry, 3rd Time Lucky, Adam Lynam, Moby, and Lynnea Godfriaux and Brad Pregeant. "As the seeds of this project grow, so does all of our music," Hill said. "We help each other grow, which is the nature of this community already."

The music of participating artists will be widely distributed and CDs will be available at retail stores this fall. CDs will be discounted from $15 to $10 for the release party and albums may also be purchased from the musicians featured on the album, who will have their copies by December.

The party features live music (by Hunker Down, Jake Royall, the Sofa Kings, Henry, Stony Credenza, Lynam, MC3D, the Empty Suits, and Salzberg), guest speakers, buffet and drink specials, and mail-in ballot information in support of the Rock the Vote campaign.