During spring break my friends Dr. Stuart and Tammy Anderson came to Stringbender Music to record a couple of new songs. HWY19 has been playing music for several years, and have recorded several albums. But this trek to Paris was just to record a couple of new songs for their website (which was also created by Stringbender Music).
Arriving in Paris, Stuart and Tammy unloaded their instruments and got right down to business. We first started working on a tune call "Red Sails in the Sunset". Stuart laid down the banjo track and added an additional track just in case we needed some variation. Tammy tuned up her guitar and simultaneously played rhythm and sang the song.
Before we knew it, it was time for lunch. Since Debbie and I were keeping our grandsons during spring break, we knew they would be ready for something to eat. So, we took off for Magel's. We had a good time visiting during lunch...and the lunch was delicious! Stuart also told me some long forgotten facts about my first Banjo championship at the First Annual Bluegrass Festival held at East Texas State University in 1976. I actually won based on a tune Stuart taught me to play. Stuart told me that Buddy King (Shady Grove Ramblers) was one of judges and stated that I "had the Scruggs style down perfect". I didn't even remember Buddy being a judge. I DO remember admiring his banjo playing at Bill Grant's festival in Hugo on one particular occassion. I had payed him a compliment and he was so humble and gracious.
After returning to the studio, we set out to record one of mine and Debbie's favorite songs, "In The Garden". For this recording, Tammy played the guitar and sang into one microphone. Stuart sat back a couple of feet behind Tammy and played banjo.
After Stuart and Tammy left, I started the mixing process. To make a long story short, the music came out great. And, you can find it on their new website, "HWY19.org".
