Brochure! Here you'll find a description of most of the work I do...but don't hesitate to call Nancy for details and options. It's in PDF form and you'll find it at the Bio and mail order form pages. Hoping this will be helpful!
Recording today with the amazingly gifted Duncan Wickel on fiddle. Duncan is at Berklee College of Music, in his second year. Learn more about what he's up to at his facebook page. He's also a member of the Red Wellies, who reside here in the Asheville area. I engineered and co-produced their last cd, which has received raves from the press. Great sessions today, and making headway toward finishing up the new cd, which I have decided to call 'Awake.' I'll be uploading some rough mixes soon!
It's been below freezing for the past several days here in western NC, and more on the way. Still snow on the ground from the week before Christmas! Thanks to all those who purchased my 'Rise' cd in the month leading up to Christmas...will be donating 10 % of the proceeds to some favorite charities.
I had a great time at Camp Beckwith between Christmas and New Year's, helping out with the music for Winterwoods...tons of fun!
Between Dec 1 and 24, 10% of the proceeds from my 'Rise' cd sales will go to Heifer Project, Int and Doctors Without Borders. Purchase cds on line from CDBaby.com or here at the site using the mail order form.
Thanks! Fran
This is the time of year when i begin to reflect on the many blessings in my life... I am filled with gratitude and hope.
The recording of the 5 O'Clock Band went incredibly well. They are a joy to work with, as was Casey Wood, who I'd invited to engineer, and the Bates Brothers studio in Hueytown. We got 15 songs in a week, reflecting the diversity and breadth of talent in the group, from real 'Ol Timey to a bit of AfroCuban hi life with a Ukelele solo! I'll be putting up some sound clips here at the site, and they are hoping to have finished cds in time for Christmas. Here are two photos of Melanie and Clay, and Sharon at the Mussleman's home where we recorded a 'live' version of 'Little Yeshua.'
Have had a great few days in NE, doing music for their diocesan council and then a concert at St. Martha's, just south of Omaha. Wonderful folks here...have had the most fun in ages tonight following my concert playing Wii with Ernesto and Susan Medina. Did great at the high wire...really sucked at slalom skiing and ski jumping! Oh well...
Photos to follow.
My bro Brian has been called to serve the wonderful people of MN as their Bishop! What a joy! Brian is a servant leader, mentor, and strong advocate for those in need. Prayers and blessings for Brian, Staci, and their sons Brooks and Gage, all the folks in the diocese of MN, and for the members of the Church of the Resurrection in Spokane where Brian has been rector, as they cross the threshold of this new journey.
Was rehearsing in Birmingham with the 5 O'clock Band...we'll be going into the studio 11/11 to start their new recording...should be great fun!
Had a great few days on the eastern shore of Virginia, in some very historic neighborhoods - Yorktown and Williamsburg. I'll get some photos up soon.
Been a beautiful week here at home...love the smell of the woods when I walk our beloved 'Cara in the morning. I'm headed out to VA for the next few days, to Yorktown, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Williamsburg. The off to Birmingham for final rehearsals with the 5 O'Clock Band as they prep for their new recording. More photos re that in the photo gallery.
Here's a photo I took early one morning this week...
Had two great trips recently, to NJ, PA and upstate NY and out west to WY. Holy Cross first; a gathering of youth workers. Love doing the monastic daily cycle and the great silence, which goes from the end of evening prayers to after breakfast the next morning. And the site is just beautiful, along the Hudson river. Visit the photo gallery for more pics. I also had a brief but wonderful visit with the folks at St. Gregory's Episcopal in Woodstock, NY. The new vicar there is my friend Gigi Connor, who was a guiding force at St. Peter's in St. Petersburg, FL until this fall. Had a great visit at St. John's in Little Silver, NJ and my old friend Mark Vansant. And a few great days in Swarthmore, PA for a vestry retreat and services at Trinity, Swarthmore with my friends the Cooks.
Here's an early morning view of the grounds at Holy Cross, looking east over the Hudson;
Casper, Wyoming ... Diocesan Convention
What great folks here! This was actually my first ever visit to this state. I arrived in the midst of an early snow fall, which was kind of refreshing. I didn't really have a chance to get out much as the schedule was pretty tight. Spent some wonderful time with the youth, and also got to meet and spend some time with Episcopal presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts-Schori, who found time in her busy schedule to come and sit on the floor with the youth for an hour or so...she is a very thoughtful and engaging presence and we all really enjoyed our time with her. Jenifer Gamber had designed a great program for the youth participants and, working along with Kay Rohde, we shared some great discussions. I did get out for a very brief round of minature golf...see the photo gallery!
Taylor is my nephew. He lives on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. He's only been playing and singing a short while, but is tearing it up...people love him! I'll see if I can get an mp3...meanwhile, here's a pic from one of his latest gigs. He's twelve, btw!
Just returned from 10 days in the beautiful south and west, from an enriching and fulfilling gathering of friends at Casa del Sol (at the Ghost Ranch) in New Mexico to a wonderful parish retreat for St. Mark's, Durango, CO, and on to join up with a dynamic Signchido facilitators training retreat in Phoenix. More to come. Visit the photo gallery for pics.. thanks, Fran
Just returned this afternoon from a joyful couple of days at Sewanee, the University of the South. I did a concert on Saturday night in the beautiful St. Luke's Chapel, and then helped out with the music for the kick off of the 09/10 Growing in Grace service they do on Sunday eves. It was wonderful to catch up some good friends I haven't seen in a while. I love being in that university environment... stimulating conversations and much laughter.
I've just started recording a new cd...this one will be a collection of songs that I've been including in worship services for the past couple of years. Folks have been asking me for some time now to do a recording of this material...so here we go! Charles Milling will be co-producing this one with me. We've started by doing some tracking in FL, with some fantastic players; Jeff Renza on drums, Bob Taylor on keys, Lance Seiler on percussion (Lance played on my last cd, 'Rise'), and Charles on bass. There are some candid shots from these sessions on the photo page.
Had a great time in B'ham at All Saints Episcopal this past weekend. Helped out by several members of the 5 O'Clock Band from the Advent, Dwight, Leif, and Eddie, as well as Corey, Randolph and Jay from All Saints. One of the best things was seeing some friends who I'd been with at the Sawyerville Camp the week before. 
Easy drive home...no Atlanta traffic for a change!
Back to work on the new recording this week.