Produced by Marty Rifkin

Liner Notes:

We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.
~Thich Nhat Hanh

Long ago, some years into my globe hopping, semi-adult life, a mad dream began to take shape - that I could emulate my precious heroes of song - write a few myself, maybe even make an album. I had already accomplished another ‘impossible’ feat. I went to Las Vegas as a teenager and hooked up with the mighty Ken Uston blackjack team. Before long, I was being called one of the best card counters in the world.

Turns out songwriting and blackjack are connected. Counting cards in Vegas? Making recordings of songs from scratch? Professionally? You can’t do either, unless you don’t know that you can’t. I didn’t know, and so I have made a life of both.

For many years I had no sense of what I’d accomplished - or even who I’d become. With my induction into the Blackjack Hall Of Fame some years ago I began to believe I was a pretty good gambler. And now, with this album of songs, I am finally comfortable calling myself a songwriter.

I had heard that some songwriting friends were getting together, bringing a new song each Monday. I knew it would be an extreme challenge for me. But then, motivated to not embarrass myself in front of respected peers, I wrote a song - words and music - each week.

Nothing to something magic in the days, sometimes hours, before our Monday gathering. It is with huge appreciation and some humility that I tip my cap to these brilliant and thoughtful folks, who provided a welcoming format, inviting the creation of these songs and more.

These tracks are a collaboration with Marty Rifkin. At our first session he told me that we weren’t going to lose the ’guy on the stool with the guitar’. He believed in me and he believed in these songs. He brought deep skills and generous heart to this project.

This collection of songs is my most personal too date. There’s a song about Catholic School, and one about little league. Songs about life and learning. Songs that ask questions. Acceptance and improvement. And of course, a healthy dose unrequited love. The common thread is connection, how that little boy is connected to this grown man. How the lessons we learn become the life we’ve led.

The rare gifts of this life are interconnected, always - that’s the beauty of it. 

Your daydream believer, still,

Darryl 

The Players:
Darryl: acoustic guitar, vocal, harmony vocals, baritone guitar, electric guitar, acoustic fills, percussion
Marty: bass, pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, mandolin, electric guitar, drums
Gabe Witcher: violin
Laurie MacAllister: harmony vocals
Dan Navarro: harmony vocals
Kristin Grainger and Dan Wetzel: harmony vocals
Auksuole: piano, keyboards, harmony vocal

THANKS TO:

My musical brother Marty Rifkin, for making this the most fun I've ever had in the studio. Marty produced, recorded, mixed and mastered this album.

The Monday night songwriter group! Old connections (Louise 
Taylor, Bob Hillman, Christopher Smith, Hope Dunbar) and 
new connections  (Jim Allen, Wendy Beckerman, Tim Robinson, 
Django Haskins, David Hamburger, Byron Isaacs, Rachel Garlin).  
And to all the songwriters who have inspired me, especially Ellis Paul, Paul Simon, Kevin Faherty, Dave Carter, Hana Zara and Patrick DeSimio

The music makers! Marty brought Gabe Witcher (Punch 
Brothers) to play fiddle. All the singers at the top of my 
wish list said yes, and that’s how Laurie MacAllister, Dan 
Navarro, and Kristen Grainger & Dan Wetzel wound up 
on these tracks. This project would be incomplete without Auksuole, who added piano, keyboards and vocals.

My friend Mary DeLucco for the beautiful design/artwork!

Robbie Erenberg's brother, Stuart.

Special shout out to my daughter. (The next album will be for you, Kari!)

Darryl