Introducing Wrong Side of the Blues

Jan

Many asked us how our LA recording experience went and we said, “We weren’t sure because all we saw was the airport, hotel and the studio and if we were lucky enough to get up early, we could grab some coffee across the street from the hotel.” We all worked very hard on this album.

Tony Braunagel is a great drummer and producer. To have a drummer as the producer pretty much means the drums will sound great. Many know that is one key to a great record. Each song had different snares and cymbals which really catered to each song’s mood. We always knew he was a great drummer, but his care for the song, and infinite wisdom led us to the great record we now have. His impeccable timing and feel for the blues and blues inspired music made him the perfect producer for this record.

Johnny Lee Schell is an excellent engineer and a great guitarist. He was Bonnie Raitt’s right-hand man on second guitar during the height of her popularity in the 80′s and 90′s. Every chance Nick got, he asked Johnny,”What did you think, that guitar take good enough?, Should I try it again?” Nick truly respects Johnny, a true Texan cowboy.

The legendary Mike Finnigan played piano and organ with us and was outstanding on this album. He brought so much talent and raw energy to the album. On the track “Have a good time”, man! he lays down that gospel/ blues piano and organ so well that you cannot deny it. Everything he played helped the song as well as the track. We also appreciate all of his great ideas for our songs. His contributions make the songs stand out.

Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds came and played harmonica on “She’s Long, She’s Tall, She’s Gone”. We really love the blues he played and you will agree!

Tony has played with Rickie Lee Jones, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, and Etta James and currently drums for Robert Cray. Johnny played with Bonnie Raitt, John Fogerty, and Taj Mahal, and Mike played with Etta James for 15 years and was her musical director for 2-3 years, as well as Taj Mahal. They all three also play in the Phantom Blues Band. We mention this because these great musicians who worked on this record have been a part of the careers of some of the biggest female blues artists in blues history and we feel their presence on this album was necessary. By no coincidence, Tony, Johnny, and Mike all have worked extensively with Danielle’s main idol Etta James. John Porter mixed it, great job, and Reuben Cohen from Lurssen Mastering did the mastering, great sound!

Recorded in November and December of 2010, this record was done in two- four day sessions in Studio City, Los Angeles, CA at Johnny Lee Schell’s Ultratone Studios. We really hope you enjoy listening to our hard work and efforts.

The producer would like to thank Johnny Lee Schell and John Porter for their dedication to making things sound real at the same time exciting. Tony would also like to thank, Sabian, Drum Workshop, Vic Firth, Remo, Gator Cases, and Protection Racket cases.

Thank you – first and foremost a special thank you to our fans, friends and family.

We want to thank Tony Braunagel for making all the important phone calls to get the fish tacos for lunch, oh, and putting this all-star cast together! Special thanks to Johnny Lee Schell and Rooster! Thanks to Mike Finnigan, Kim Wilson for their talents. We thank Lisa Swedlund, our mother, and Bob Schnebelen, our father for the initial start, tools, and gift of music. John Porter for making the record sound great, and Reuben Cohen from Lurssen Mastering for the finishing touches.

We also want to thank Roger Nabor for his longstanding industry support. Nick would like to thank his wife Katie for all of her hard work on the online store and taking care of our daughter Madalyn. A special thanks to Matt Carter for ALL of his hard work. Dave Mowder, thank you for your genius. Frank and Mary Hicks of Knuckleheads, Lindsay and Jo Shannon of BB’s Lawnside in KC, Brad and Angel Mallen of the Trouser Mouse, and Mike and Ron Horne of Eclipse- the home of our long running jam session. We also thank Gharret Shaeberg and Mike “Shinetop” Sedovic for playing with us. We’d like to thank Ed Murphy for bringing us to Norway and for Rune Myhren for getting us around.

Details on the release will come soon.