This page is dedicated to those artists, musicians, writers who inspire us and maybe you as well.
Here you will find photos of some of our favorites and links to their sites when available. So brows around and take a journey away from EVP to who knows where...just be sure to find your way back! Just click on some of the pics. Some may take you away, some may not.
COWBOY JUNKIES
Cowboy Junkies have continued to inspire us for more than 20 years with their warm welcoming ways and their endless innovation. Margo's sultry voice and the band's perfect syncopation make for a hypnotic learning experience from these 25 year veterans. The above shots are from the night we saw their awesome and intimate show at the Winery in Manhattan. We saw them at Bethel Woods and in Savannah as well, but unfortunately no pic-taking was allowed at those venues. We plan on seeing them at least 300 more times. :)
Jeff Bird
All but an official Junkie, Jeff Bird is at every Cowboy Junkies show and amazes on a variety of instruments including his signature distorted mandolin! Consummate musician.
AL STEWART
This nearly 45 year veteran of his craft is astonishing to watch. He weaves an effortless tale with his wit and wisdom. He is ever an inspiration to us. These are pics from the night we saw his great performance at the Winery in Manhattan.
JEWEL
With her sometimes wistful, yet just as often gritty and honest prose, Jewel's magic touch with the written word is a study in creativity and wisdom. She is forever an icon. These are shots from when we visited the CBS morning show in NYC and watched her perform outdoors for the show.
MICHAEL MCDONALD / DONALD FAGAN
We were so fortunate to see these guys together in Atlantic City on the Dukes of September tour. The above is a pic from that show.
These guys, and all the musicians who played through the years on the Steely Dan albums are like reaching the holy grail. They are ever astounding and always inspiring.
BOZ SCAGGS
Never to leave out Boz who was on the Dukes of September tour. An amazing, and we feel, much unsung musician.
SHAWN COLVIN
Shawn has been an inspiration much in the vein of the Junkies with her easy stories and effortless vocals. A Gem. These are a few photos we took at the Clearwater Festival where we had the wonderful chance to see her perform. It poured rain for about 15 minutes while she played, and no one cared!
TEARS FOR FEARS
Since Songs from the Big Chair in 1985 these guys have inspired and have showed staying power with driving melodies. They're just damn good! These are a few shots from the night we saw them at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. The wait in the sometimes antagonistic line was well worth it. A great show!
ROGER WATERS/PINK FLOYD
Roger Waters and Pink Floyd have inspired us for a very long time. Their innovation, emotion and stark reality is done only as they can and with a simplicity that they can only call their own. The first shot is a pic from the night we saw The Wall tour in Philadelphia. That was an experience!
SIMON AND GARFUNKLE
Story tellers for the story teller. The beauty and wisdom in their melodies and words will echo throughout the world long after they are gone. True inspiration.
GENESIS/PETER GABRIEL/PHIL COLLINS
Genesis, in all it's guises, has been the longest running influence on me (William) personally. Their ability to find something so unique in sound and idea strikes me as just as much genius today as it did the first time I listened to the Nursery Cryme 8-track. Though it looks grim, I hope there is more to come from them. Fortunately, throughout the years, I (William) have been able to see them many times, so even if they are no more, I'm grateful for that.
CAROL KING/JAMES TAYLOR
We had the fortunate opportunity to see them together a few months ago at the Prudential Center in NJ. It was awe inspiring to hear so many classics in one place. And they still sound as they did 30 years ago. The Tapestry album, Linda called it "My defining moment in a new love for music." We hope to see them again.
CARLY SIMON
We attempted a Carly tune when we first started recording. We learned a lot from it and just how great a performer she really is. She's been at it for many years, we wish her many more!
ALAN PARSONS (PROJECT)
Two of the most unsung talents in my opinion. Alan is the voice in my head when I am recording or mixing that says "Hey, why don't you try this instead?" He exudes creativity. After all, with engineering and production accomplishments ranging from Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon to Al Stewart's Year of the Cat, it's no wonder we look to his examples for direction. I (William) had the great chance to see him perform outdoors at Janet's Landing in St. Petersburg Florida on a balmy September night in 2002. Alan's long time partner in the "Project" Eric Woolfson is a master of the melody. It never ceases to amaze us how many beautiful tunes the late composer could wring from his baby grand.
THE BEATLES
Since these guys have inspired everyone else on this page, I suppose they have influenced us as well. :) They are a staple in the music we listen to and always turn to them for creative relief when things get a little stuck. We have had the opportunity to see Paul, George and Ringo throughout the years, but unfortunately, we never saw John. But of course he is with us every time we sing.
MOTOWN (too many to list!)
BUT HERE"S A FEW OF THE BIGGIES FOR US
TEMPTATIONS
The music, the story, inspiring all the way around. Nothing like a summer day in the sun with the Temps playing that sweet sound!
STYLISTICS
The melodies literally carry me away to the moon. Vocal harmonies; indescribable. A pure study in ultimate timing and tone.
SMOKEY ROBINSON
Another study in vocal perfection. Linda met him, and didn't wash her hand for a week!
Marvin Gaye
Listening to him is one thing, but you have to see this guy perform! What a loss. Performing came as natural to him as breathing. We attempted a couple of his songs in early recordings and really realized the weight of the messages in some of his songs. A true spokes person for society.
As we said, too many from Motown to list. Hope you enjoyed the above abbreviated list.
ERIC CLAPTON
Probably a greater influence on Linda than William, he is a classic and in a class by himself. His innovative work and ideas have kept him in the forefront of the music scene for nearly 5 decades. Anyone who lays a hand on a guitar, can not help but be influenced by him. Linda took the awesome opportunity to see him with George Harrison in the Concert for Bangladesh tour in Madison Square Garden.
MICHAEL FRANKS
Ever since Sleeping Gypsy was played for these ears on vinyl back in the day, Michael Franks has been a steady influence. The twists and turns in his compositions astound. The atmosphere in the vocals takes one away to some tropical paradise. When the time comes to listen, it's time to go to class.
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT
This group inspired many a thought for song listening to them while driving around Savannah. Old world talent ringing true today.
RENAISSANCE
A highly talented prog-Rock band very much in the vein of Old Genesis, they have been an influence in vocal ideas and musical creativity.
CLANNAD
Another band who's vocal influence is always present. The dark beauty of their sounscapes is always lurking somewhere in a musical idea.
KATE BUSH
If Donald Fagan screams perfection and Alan Parsons screams creativity then Kate screams freedom. She lets us know it's OK to maybe not go with what would be considered the norm. She has always chosen her own way; a backroad, a footpath, but never the highway. That, to me, makes for a very interesting journey.
POE
A gifted and creative rock out song craft is what she generally displays, especially on the Haunted album; the second of unfortunately only two she has made. From creative percussion ideas to guitar and vocal styling, she is always an inspiration to us.
STEPHEN KING
Though not known for his musicianship (although he does play guitar for the Rock Bottom Remainders as seen in the pic below) Stephen King inspires us in several ways, from lyric writing, song ideas, to inspiration in our individual fiction writing endeavors. An artist of a different breed. The first pic is us in front of his house in Bangor Maine.
AND MANY MANY MORE!.....
Honestly, this could go on and on, and probably will eventually. Though in our songs you will probably not hear any one of these artists styles or sounds anywhere completely, they are blended there in the ideas. Many ideas come from listening to these artists among others for us. It's sort of like the old "What would (fill in the blank) do?" What it comes down to is, their library, has become our dictionary. :)