Hey you guys!

Sorry I haven't been in as much as I was hoping to be during this downtime. I am really working hard on my next album. Things are coming together pretty well, I've got some that are 100% done and several others that I am still working on. But the tunes that are done, I've got to tell you, I think they are some of my best compositions yet. I really can't wait to show them to you all.

The album should be out early next year, but with this new label I am with (Razor & Tie) they need like 3 months of lead time from when I turn it in and to when it is available. I guess for like marketing and promotional things. Stuff I am totally not used to! So, even though you guys won't be hearing it for awhile, I've got to have it all done relatively soon!

I've been recording in my new studio, I picked up a large and a small diaphragm microphone and am using Logic 9 on a Mac Pro to record this new album. I am really really pleased with the sound of the guitar! It's been great to do it all in my own studio, it's giving me the opportunity to really dial in my sound personally.

As for touring next year, there will be a couple of US tours in the spring. One for the east and one for the west with stops in the middle as well of course! Germany is confirmed as well as England. A big gig in India! It's all coming together and looks to be like another crazy touring year in 2010. I hope to see you all somewhere along the line!

Hope you guys are all doing well! I'll try to stop by more frequently.

All the best,
Andy

Glad to hear from you, Andy. I was thinking you'd given up on the boards!

I met you at Winfield on Thursday (I was the guy that played the 12-string and sat near you and your wife). I sent you a message via MySpace with my email address on it just so you have it.

I still can't believe Ewan didn't win!

I'm looking forward to hearing the new album and hearing the Greenfield's in action.

Peace.

Sounds like it's coming together well, Andy!

I can't wait for the album and the tour! I'll definitely come and see you this time! That is, if there are shows for all the youngin's and whatnot.

Wait, so Andy, I'm a little confused. Are you with both Candyrat and Razor&Tie at the same time, or have you left Candyrat and they still retain publishing rights to your earlier stuff?

cant wait to get a hold of your album Andy. Did you by any chance stick with "Theme for a Vacant Amusement Park" or stuck with it?

Hey dude! It was Chris, wasn't it?

Yeah Ewan was amazing! Those 16th note bass lines were very, very cool sounding. Having been down to watch the competition several times and being familiar with the judging criteria, I would say the only thing that held him back was a lack of variety in his song choices. If he would have played a ballad or something just in another vein entirely, he would of been champ for sure I think!

You played great as well man! I could never seem to get 12-string playing down very well. You've got it going on, though!

Keep rocking out and I hope to see ya next time,
Andy

Yeah I am with a new label entirely now, but Candyrat still has an exclusive license on a couple of the earlier CD's.

I think I made a post on the main page of the site about switching over to this new label. Candyrat has been, and still is, a great label. Especially for acoustic guitar! But I needed to move on for a few reasons.

One was simply logistics. If I was playing internationally, it became extremely difficult to get CD's to my gigs. Often, I would have to bring them myself along with my luggage, guitar, and perhaps even harpguitar and baritone!

Another was for promotional and licensing reasons. Razor & Tie have a built in licensing and publishing department that actively try to get your music placed in movies, t.v. shows, what have you. They also have been pioneers in the field of direct marketing (t.v. commercials) for selling music. That might be another great way to reach some more people who just haven't even been exposed to solo acoustic guitar.

So anyway, there's the somewhat concise answer on that!

Hope you've been good man, I gotta get back up to Canada!
Andy

It will most likely be called "Joyland".

Thanks,
Andy

It's "Eric" but my last name starts with "Chris"...so everyone ends up mixing it up.

I see what you're saying about his playing and the judges. They definitely seem to prefer a specific sound and playing type that doesn't always appeal to me.

Thanks for the kind words about my playing. I'll be interested to get the video of performance. I wasn't particularly happy about how I played...but then again I rarely am. Maybe I'll be pleased with how it ended up sounding.

You should give the 12-string a shot. I have a feeling you'd be able to pull it off!

Good to hear from you, Andy!

Can you be more specific about your recording gear? What mics and placements have you been using, and what are you using for a preamp?