Performing Songwriter Bids Us A Fond Farewell.

Dear Friends, June2009 marked the final issue of Performing Songwriter. The magazine, founded by Lydia Hutchinson, was one of our favorites. Well written and well made, the magazine featured articles on artists at all stages of their career. It was unbiased in its approach and revolutionary for its time.

In a heartfelt editor's note, Lydia bids a gracious thanks and farewell after 16 years of publishing one of the top music magazines. I am sad to hear it is closing, but happy to hear that Lydia made the decision on her own terms. Just as she started the magazine as and independent, she closed it as an independent. Truly the end of an era.

This is Lydia's goodbye note to all of us.

I remember meeting Lydia at the Planet Bluegrass Folks Fest, Lyons, CO.... I don't even remember the date, except that she was on the 3rd issue of the magazine. We met through a mutual friend and I helped her 'flog' a few subscriptions. We had a great time on that day and though we don't see each other nearly enough, I consider her a friend. We practically grew up in our careers together in music.. a sister entrepreneur.

Last summer, during a stay in Nashville, was the last time I saw her. We chatted briefly at her offices about the 15 years that had passed. She told tales of keeping the magazine away from the corporate buyout. The magazine was her art, her baby, her own. She kept it independent, she kept the quality. Lydia made it happen on her terms. I'm so damn proud of her.

This upside down economy has taken a hard toll on all of us... music industry and print publishing are just a few industries affected. It's the end of an era for sure, but not the end for Lydia.

Lydia, my friend, here's to you, your future and all the people who's lives you touched.
Cookie

Special Event 060509 Live in the Studio with Kai Eckhard.. Compositions for Solo Electric Bass

Dear Friends!

We had a very special guest performing for our Special Event this month. His name is Kai Eckhardt, one of the most extraordiary electric bass players in the world. He is an internationally know bass player whose credits include touring and recording with Billy Cobham, John McLaughlin, Trilok Gurtu, Stanley Clarke, Wayne Shorter, Patrice Rushen, Dewey Redman, Donald Byrd, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Robert Walter, Karl Denson, Michael Franti, Larry Coryell, Warren Hill, Al Di Meola, Zakir Hussain, Vital Information , John Scofield and Bill Frisell. In the last five years, Kai can be seen as a regular with Garaj Mahal a well known ensemble playing high powered instumental music in the jamband circuit.

We were delighted to have him perform for a Blue Coast Records Special Event-- Live in the Studio yesterday. Kai picks up where Jaco Pastorius left off as a solo bassist-- and now challenges how we think of this instrument. His approach is like an acoustic guitarist melding arpegios and intricate time signatures into a beautiful weave of sound.

For this session, the recording team at OTR Studios, helped setup a unique E.S.E. microphone placement. While Kai utilized his 3 instruments we used a 5 microphone setup that captured the entire room as it vibrated with the sound of his instrument. Kai's interpretations of his songs uses full dynamic range and we chose not to use compression in this recording. As we have more time, we'll include more descriptions and photos at our website.

Let us know if you have any questions for us or Kai about this recording session. For the weekend, the singles will be available at $2/96K and $1/44.1 and as always, you can stream all the songs at 192kbps. On Monday, the prices will go to $3/1.5 respectively. Next week, we will be releasing more music from the vaults, either Thursday or Friday.

Sign up for our new twitter feeds @bluecoastworld for the latest information. Our next scheduled Special Event is in July with Matt Rollings.

We want to thank all of you who participated in our listening events! And especially thank those of you who are taking the time to write about us on forums throughout the world. We are all amazed and at the warmth you are giving us. Thankyou!

Enjoy the music!
Cookie Marenco
Blue Coast Records