Melodies and Memories

It’s been several years since we’ve produced a western swing song. We encouraged Peter to put on a cowboy hat and join in smile And he was game…and we are glad he was. Also I (Bud) talked Janice into a bit of whistling which she does around the house…a lot!

We both played some western swing in our bands and more often with Randy Howard as a trio. Randy could play anything from gypsy jazz to bluegrass to rock to western swing and more (he was featured on several grammy nominated albums). Randy passed away 20 years ago this summer and we had him in mind and heart when we wrote this tune as he would love to have played on it. RIP, good friend, and we hope we did the genre a bit of justice!

For those not familiar with western swing there are several mentions in the song of some of the great artists who played or often played it...The Texas Playboys, Asleep At The Wheel and Merle Haggard. The bluebonnets in the SC photo are a shoutout to Texas where it all started.

Thanks for listening and for commenting if inclined!

“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!”

The techie stuff:

Janice: Lead vocal, harmony vocal, whistling, melody and arrangement
Rodes NT1 mic > Scarlett USB > Logic Pro > Nectar 2

Peter: Guitar solos, fills and arrangement

Bud: Lyric, arrangement, mix and mastering

Drums: RD NashvilleSwing8^5-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, HiHat / Waves CLA Drums

Bass: RT 1390 Acoustic, Jazz BeBop Sw 190 (Very Simple) Plays 2’s on the verses/solos and walks on the chorus / Waves Bass Rider / Neutron 2

Piano Rhythm: MST Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBentNoteJohn Sw 165 / Grand Steinway Logic Pro X sound / Neutron 2 / 140 EMT Reverb sim

Piano Solo: MST Acoustic, Soloist WesternSwingJohn Sw 165 / Grand Steinway Logic Pro X sound / Neutron 2 / 140 EMT Reverb sim

Guitar Rhythm 1: RT 812 Electric, Rhythm Western Swing Sw 165

Guitar Rhythm 2: RT 1128 Electric, Rhythm WesternSwingWarmA-B Sw 165

Fiddle Rhythm: RT 1114 Countryswingmelodic / Waves CLA Unplugged

Fiddle Solo: RT 871: WesternSwingAndy Sw 165 // Waves CLA Unplugged

Mastering: Ozone 8 adv > Ozone Tonal Balance

Melodies and Memories
© 2019 B. Merritt, J. Merritt & P. Fulham

Verse 1
me ‘n the band keep that bus between the lines
snowcaps to bluebonnets I love all the sights
small or big crowd just tell us where ‘n when
give me my guitar and turn on those foot lights

Chorus
melodies and memories keep my spirit alive
they’re my traveling companions from town to town
wouldn’t trade them for a gold one on the wall
I may be up or down but they are always around

turnaround

Verse 2
We turn on good music ‘n watch the miles go by
from all night radio ’n on to streaming
I ain’t asleep at the wheel, can’t be a texas playboy
but I love it when that western swing’s a playing

Chorus

solo

Verse 3
I’ve met a few good men along the journey
but none could help me stay around for long
guess I’ve got a touch of Merle’s white line fever
more miles more gigs just keep playing our songs

Chorus

Outro



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