What is a music man without a band?
I play quite a few shows as a solo artist. When it’s just me on the stage, some of my songs go over well, while others I barely want to play. This is because some songs stand alone on the piano very well, while others are disappointments without the amazing studio production that can be heard when listening to the records.
For The Forgotten Door, I was joined by some of Fort Collins’ most talented players! I am truly grateful for all the lightning that was captured in this fourteen song LP that was not my own. Let me give you the lowdown on who played on this record.
Drums/percussion: Tom Ditzler
The Forgotten Door is the sixth record I have made with my dear friend and music cohort Tom Ditzler. He continues to make music with BDC no matter the distance and has funded much of our studio/production time. Tom’s ability to lock in with the rhythms I play on my piano, adding a creative twist all his own, has interceded through all BDC records. Tom is truly part of the BDC sound.
Bass: Rodney Eddings
The Forgotten Door is the third record we made with Rod. Rodney puts hours of time into each song, crafting solid bass parts that are creative and in the pocket. He follows the left hand of the piano when necessary and writes melodic parts that change the presence of the song when the song gives him the opportunity. Rod is a guitar player at heart but has kept BDC alive and strong with his bass skills!
Guitar: John Cittadino
Johny C has never played on a BDC record before The Forgotten Door. As you listen to the opening two tracks of the record you will hear Johny’s driving hard rock influence and unforgettable melodic solos.
Cello: Russick Smith
The Forgotten Door is the fourth record we have made with cellist Russick Smith. Russick has performed up to twelve overlayed cello tracks on some of my songs to create a full orchestra sound, while at other times adding a single cello or four cellos to sound like a string quartet. He is a truly gifted musician who adds so much to the music.
Saxophone: Brian Keller
This is the fourth record we have made with Brian. This man has a gift for writing brilliant parts in the studio if the song allows but will carefully follow instruction to build layered sax parts that sound like an entire horn section. Brian, I hope you don’t mind when I call you Brian Killer in the studio, I say it because you are so talented!
Guitar: Nina Gerber
Nina has never played on a BDC record, and we were fortunate to get her for The Forgotten Door. I have never met Nina. She lives in California and is committed to her musical involvement with Karla Bonoff, a prolific American song writer that has been recording music since the seventies.
Nina teamed up with producer Jeff Martin to record the guitar tracks on The Forgotten Door. She plays on two tracks, aiding Russick in the orchestral sounds of Heat From The Fire, while adding a wide open soundscape to soft rock song, Whispers.
Trumpet: Jeremy Moore
The Forgotten Door is the fourth record we’ve made with Jeremy. Jeremy is always a delight to have in the studio. Jeremy is very carefree, you can call him day of and he’ll probably show up. He’s a cool customer, only expecting a few beers for payment each time. Jeremy usually comes in not knowing the first thing about the song he is about to play on and leaves the studio each time with a rousing trumpet part that adds a signature to so many BDC songs.
This week:
This coming week I am attending a song writing festival on the big island of Hawaii! It is there where I will get the chance to share songs from this record with mentors from the music business. Dana and I are excited to spread our wings, to grow and to learn, and most of all, to experience. We are excited to share what we find upon our return.