AMAZON APPLE MUSIC SPOTIFY
“Nice album Dan!!!” - Jim Canales - host of Acoustic Revival at WWSP
“This Is a gorgeous album and I really appreciate you sharing it with me.”
Rhea March, CJSR Radio - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
“The intriguing mix of disasters, creatures, and so on works for me!”
-Bruce Cameron - host of “Come All Ye” radio show - Bathurst, Australia
“Nice album Dan!!!” - Jim Canales - host of Acoustic Revival at WWSP
“This Is a gorgeous album and I really appreciate you sharing it with me.”
Rhea March, CJSR Radio - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
“The intriguing mix of disasters, creatures, and so on works for me!”
-Bruce Cameron - host of “Come All Ye” radio show - Bathurst, Australia
Need a physical CD? - go HERE
Country roads CD song notes
1. Monongah Mine Disaster
On December 6, 1907 the worst mining disaster in US history occurred at Monongah, West Virginia. The official death count was 361, 362, or 367, depending on the source. It is agreed that the actual number was much higher, as the sons of the miners often worked alongside their fathers to increase their tonnage. Some place the death toll at 500 or more. Most of the workers had been recruited from foreign countries, Italians comprising the largest group of laborers. More information about the Monongah Mine Disaster HERE.
On December 6, 1907 the worst mining disaster in US history occurred at Monongah, West Virginia. The official death count was 361, 362, or 367, depending on the source. It is agreed that the actual number was much higher, as the sons of the miners often worked alongside their fathers to increase their tonnage. Some place the death toll at 500 or more. Most of the workers had been recruited from foreign countries, Italians comprising the largest group of laborers. More information about the Monongah Mine Disaster HERE.
2. Your Texas
A man of the mountains thinks about a lovely girl far away in the Lone Star State, and imagines her life there. Fiddle by astronomer Paul Marganian. An earlier version of this song appeared on an earlier CD, BACK TO MORGANTOWN.
3. Mothman Blues
The Mothman was first sighted near Point Pleasant, West Virginia in 1966, and later by others. Some have linked the Mothman to the collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967, resulting in the death of 46 people. John Keel’s book, “The Mothman Prophecies’, was adapted to film in 2002. The movie, bearing the same name, starred Richard Gere and Laura Linney. If you find yourself in Point Pleasant, you can visit the official Mothman Museum, or take a photo of yourself with the Mothman statue downtown. More information on the Mothman HERE.
4. It Ain’t Whiskey
A man dominated by three women can’t stop thinking about whiskey. Rhythm guitar and drums by Mark Poole.
5. I Think Of Home
A seafarer thinks of his home in the mountains and his love so far away. Fiddle by Paul Marganian. The original instrumental version of this song appeared on an earlier CD, I THINK OF HOME.
6. The Blowed Up Grave Of Harry Spitz
Yes, this actually happened and is well documented. A beloved boy of three years is buried peacefully in 1912 and eventually forgotten by all but his mother. His grave exploded 63 years later in 1975, uncovering the tiny undisturbed coffin. His mother, now in a mental institution, seemed to respond to the event without being informed. Despite intensive investigation, no cause for the explosion was found. 1975 newspaper article
7. Star Of The County Down
Traditional Irish tune with Paul Marganian on the fiddle. Wikipedia article on the song
8. Stinky Joe
A young man with an an social problem and a focus on personal hygiene sees his mother murder his Uncle for a urinal cake fortune. Perhaps the basis for a novel. Or a soap opera. Drums by Jeffrey Anthony.
9. I Stand At The Window
A dear one is often away and there is nothing to do but watch and wait for their return.
10. Head For The Hills
A jailbreak story about man on the run. Like any good son, he remembers what his mama told him. Drums by Jeffrey Anthony.
11. Rise To Thee
“O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?”
A song of the earthly man, with shades of the Good Book, Judee Sill, and Flannery O’Conner.
12. Wondrous Love
Solo guitar rendition of this traditional mountain tune. The song is sometimes called What Wondrous Love Is This. Wikipedia article on the tune
13. Wreck Of The Old 97
A little railroad music - a terrible tragedy…and a moral.
Audio drawn from a YouTune video for this traditional tune - just one guitar and vocal.
Wikipedia article on the song
14. Take Me Home Country Roads
That John Denver song everybody sings about West Virginia.
Daria Jones - lead and harmony vocals
Chris Haddox - 2nd verse vocal, guitar solo, banjo
Mark Poole - rhythm guitar
Wikipedia article on the song
Reactions to APPALACHIAN SONG:
“Wow what a great album! I love it!" - Sister Dorothy’s Music Blog
"I just listened to your Appalachian Song disc and I am very impressed...Hunter Hughes WHRO FM
"You are a mighty fine picker and singer, and the album is full of memorable songs and consummate musicianship."
- DJ Clark KSPC 88.7 FM
"I love the backhills/country feel this album has, it makes it unique for sure." - Matt WYCE 88.1 FM
“Wow what a great album! I love it!" - Sister Dorothy’s Music Blog
"I just listened to your Appalachian Song disc and I am very impressed...Hunter Hughes WHRO FM
"You are a mighty fine picker and singer, and the album is full of memorable songs and consummate musicianship."
- DJ Clark KSPC 88.7 FM
"I love the backhills/country feel this album has, it makes it unique for sure." - Matt WYCE 88.1 FM
APPALACHIAN SONG (2013)
Turmoil, tragedy, beauty, and humor of those remote Appalachian Mountains
with driving fingerstyle guitar. Traditional tunes (Angel Band, John Henry,
Amazing Grace) with new tales of revival preachers, feuding clans , & fugitives.
Buy CD/download/stream
"One Sheet" info on Appalachian Song
RIVER FLOW (2011)
Instrumental, featuring acoustic guitar - A remix of my first CD
(Into The Flow) with alternate versions of some tunes.
More mellow, more music without the original sound effects.
Still colorful stuff. (and beautiful new cover art, inside and out)
Amazon Apple Music Spotify
free download: Sheet music for LOOSE DAWG medley (solo guitar)
BACK TO MORGANTOWN (2008)
Original, traditional, and instrumental tunes. It's all acoustic
The title song is about my hometown, the others
tell a colorful story; some amusing, some sad.
Amazon Apple Music Spotify
free download : KAYLABEE
YouTube video: When Johnny Comes Marching Home
WAYFARING STRANGER (2006)
Originals plus the beloved traditional song, 'Wayfaring Stranger'
and solo guitar version of the 'Battle Cry Of Freedom').
'Big Gene' was a Song Of The Month finalist.
Amazon Apple Music Spotify
free download : WHITEWATER (instrumental)
YouTube video: Battle Cry Of Freedom
I THINK OF HOME (2003)
The tunes on this CD received much praise.
Many are of a poetic nature. 'The Wind Is Up'
received recognition in the Billboard song contest,
and 'Deep Forest Journey' was well received in reviews
and the Song Of The Month contest.
Amazon Apple Music Spotify
free download : DEEP FOREST JOURNEY (instrumental)
free download: Sheet music for DEEP FOREST JOURNEY (solo guitar version)
The tunes on this CD received much praise.
Many are of a poetic nature. 'The Wind Is Up'
received recognition in the Billboard song contest,
and 'Deep Forest Journey' was well received in reviews
and the Song Of The Month contest.
Amazon Apple Music Spotify
free download : DEEP FOREST JOURNEY (instrumental)
free download: Sheet music for DEEP FOREST JOURNEY (solo guitar version)