Celtic Midwestern
In March 2024, Scott Stilwell and I recorded an album together.
Despite being over 4,000 miles apart, and with an ocean between us, thanks to the brilliant efforts of engineers Ian Crow of 'Amblin' Man Recording Studio in Suffolk, and Bob Fitch at Waveform Music in Des Moines, we were able to complete the project which we came to call Celtic Midwestern.
We were so pleased with the album, we decided to take it on the road in the US. The tour saw us visit five states over three weeks, driving 6,000 miles.
The day after I landed in Des Moines, Iowa, Scott and I rehearsed for the tour. It was the first time we’d sat in the same room to perform most of the songs from the new album.
The next day, we headed down to Tennessee, where the tour kicked off with a house concert in Nashville hosted by the wonderful Tucker Bouler...
Three Amigos... with Tucker Bouler
Nashville Skyline
After Nashville, we headed down to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. We had both been there before and written songs about this magical place. Set Me Down by the Singing River is on my American Odyssey album and Scott’s Hallowed Ground is on the Celtic Midwestern album.
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
Re-visiting Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was always going to be a highlight for me.
But performing our songs to a bunch of local musicians on the banks of the Tennessee River as the sun was setting will stay long in my memory.
We paid homage to Elvis’ birthplace of Tupelo, Mississippi where I met up with the King’s cousin Mackey Hargett.
