News & Stories
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News & Stories
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LOTS OF NEW RELEASES!
Wil's new Solo CD finally finished!
New Live CD released!
New Summervilla Compilation CD released!
New Robert Bowlin CD released!
Wil's third solo CD "The Calling" finally done!!....
| Well, it was long in the making, but Wil's new solo Cd entitled "The Calling" is finally done. In mid-July 2005, Wil, with Mark Stoffel, Robert Bowlin and bassist Dennis Crouch, all sat together at the band's own studio near Murphysboro, Illinois, and hammered out tracks to eleven new songs. These songs will be added to four chosen from an earlier session in spring of 2004 with the band's former German drummer Uli Jenne, and Wil's brother and excellent bass player, Geoff Maring. Wil and Mark were busy this past year refining the vocals and mandolin, and adding the banjo work of Doug Knecht (in a hotel room with Wil's laptop). More tracking from special Nashville guests Rob Ickes on dobro, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, and Jeff Taylor on accordion was done at Mark Howard's studio in Nashville, TN in January of 2006. Mark Howard contributed his technical expertise and superb musical ear for the mixing of the project in March of 2006, and finally the graphic work for the cover was finished by Wil. A local CD release concert in April 2006 marked the release of this long awaited project. If you'd like to pick up a copy of "The Calling" come to one of the shows, or order from the website. Check out our tour schedule for more details. |  |
Release Date: June 29, 2005 ! A spunky, colorful "musical snapshot" of the current Shady Mix formation featuring Wil Maring, Robert Bowlin, Mark Stoffel, and Geoff Maring. This live recording represents the wide spectrum of Shady Mix music, from Wil's originals, both old and new, to cowboy music such as Lonestar Swing and Palomino Pal, to Bill Monroe's bluegrass favorites like Kentucky Waltz and Goodbye Old Pal, to a blazing original instrumental from Robert. A highly recommended souvenir for any Shady Mix fan. Also contains one of the best versions of Bottomlands we've been able to pull off, and a long awaited, much-requested version of John Prine's Paradise. |
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Robert Bowlin FINALLY has his own cd.... Six String Soliloquy!
| Last November 2005 Wil and Robert had a couple duo gigs scheduled up in Northern IL. On the Monday before the weekend shows, Wil said, "Robert, ya know, if you had a cd to sell at these shows, you might could make a few extra bucks." Robert said, "Well, let's make one!" So Wil arranged a photo session with her digital camera that very hour, took the pictures home that night and made the CD cover. In the meantime Robert sat in his home recording studio with his 1930 Larson guitar and started creating some of the most beautiful solo instrumental guitar music that you'll ever hear. He was busy all day Tuesday with the recording. On Wednesday the project was taken to a rush duplication service, and on Saturday the cds were delivered UPS to the venue. This cd is proof that necessity is the mother of invention, and what a wonderful project it is. The music is purely Robert's own unique style of virtuose bluegrassy jazzy melodic guitar played with the greatest taste and tone. Highlights of the record are his Stephen Foster medley of My Old Kentucky Home and I Dream of Jeannie, and his own "Eleven Point Sunset."Anyone interested in this cd can just send us an email expressing interest, or pick one up at one of our shows. |  |
New acoustic gospel compilation "Summervilla" features Shady Mix members....
In October 2004 Wil was invited to participate in a unique recording project in North Carolina. There, she recorded three songs with Robert Bowlin and Ross Sermons- one traditional hymn, one song she co-wrote with famous songwriter Paul Craft, and a unique version of the standard "Lucky Old Sun". "Summervilla- We've Got Work to Do", as the cd is titled, the brainchild of friend and bassplayer Ross Sermons, is a gathering of over 30 bluegrass gospel musicians to produce a wonderful cd of acoustic gospel or inspirational music. Also featured on this CD are Robert Bowlin, Mark Stoffel, The Gordons, Barry and Holly Tashian, the Carter Brothers, and many others. The musicians met at a historic chapel established in 1811, near Ross's homeplace near Lillington, North Carolina, for an entire week to record this CD. The project brought together special combinations of musicians to create a very special collection of acoustic music. Anyone interested in this cd can just send us an email expressing interest, or pick one up at one of our shows.
Touring...... duo? Trio? Whole band?
Wil has been gathering the gumption to step out beyond her So. IL ten-county-comfortzone, and encouraged by the success of her 2005 East Coast trip, is up for any sort of gig anywhere. If you like the music and would like to bring it to your own backyard, no matter where you live, Wil will try to make it happen. Most of the national touring is being done in a duo with Robert Bowlin, or trio adding a bass player, but whole band combinations are also possible within time and budget limitations. Just shoot us an email and we'll see how we can make it work for your party/venue/festival.
Never fear, the local Southern Illinois gigs that Wil and Shady Mix have been doing will not be abandoned. In fact, the more you are out and about, the more you look forward to coming home to familiar places and faces.
Home - Recordings - Tour Schedule - Meet the Band ! - Band History
