Special Ones
Album mastered by BJ Leiderman for Tidewater Arts Outreach

  Click on the song titles below to learn more about each song.

Thank Yous

This compilation CD came about because BJ Leiderman said, “We can do it!”  Thank you, BJ, for your leadership, inspiration, determination and huge contribution of time, treasure and talent.  Each artist donated their track for this compilation, a special and generous gift in itself, so that Tidewater Arts Outreach can continue its work of bringing music and arts programs to special needs populations throughout Hampton Roads.  Thank you all for your involvement!

Our board members Kevin Allison, Tim Bellars, Renee Duval Fairchild, Mary Jane Hall, Tanya Kaish Keller, Jason Tashoty and Dan Toboz ensure we have the resources and oversight needed to go forward, each and every day.  Since 2004, many local artists and musicians have donated programs and performances.  Our advisors have provided direction and guidance.  Special thanks to Donna Iona Drozda, who has brought very special programs and her incredibly beautiful painting, which graces our front cover.   Much more about them and our work can be found on our website.

Proceeds from this CD benefit Tidewater Arts Outreach, a 501(c)(3) Virginia nonprofit organization.  Thank you for supporting our work through your purchase of this CD.  Tell your friends!

www.TWartsoutreach.org

   1.  Julie Clark - “Gettin’ There” from Feel Free (2003) - www.julieclark.net

Julie Clark, guitar and vocals; Rich Mossman, drums; David Mills, bass; Resa Gibbs, harmonies

Hampton Roads native Julie Clark is an award-winning singer-songwriter who is garnering critical praise and a loyal following both locally and nationally.  In May 2004, she won the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition, joining a list of winners including Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin.

“I wrote this song as a reminder to myself to ‘be here now’ and live each moment to the fullest.”

- Julie Clark

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2.  Mercy Creek - “Never Forget” from The Name of the Record is Mercy Creek (1999) -
     www.mercycreek.com  

Jim Ball, percussion; Cheryl Nystrom, guitar/vocals; Vess Ruhtenberg, electric guitar and bass.

Paul Mahern, producer. 

Mercy Creek is a two-piece independent band from the Northern Neck of Virginia.  They have written and recorded four albums, tour extensively, and have received radio airplay across the country, hitting the top 50 on FMQB's radio charts.  Singer Magazine (2005) hailed Mercy Creek as a leader of an aggressive folk rock movement.  The band describes their music as earthy and edgy.

“Never Forget” is a song about working for a positive present and future using the knowledge, support, and friendship given to each of us by the important people in our lives.                         Jim & Cheryl

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3.  Paddy Dougherty - "Fly Away" from Wait on the Moon  (2004)  - www.paddyd.com

Larry Scott, drums; Robin Tolley, bass; Glenn Buck, keyboards/soprano sax; Paddy Dougherty, guitar/vocals

Paddy's musical career has taken her to new heights, from singing and playing with fine musicians up and down the East Coast as a back up singer for David Bromberg to recently fronting the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra with her original works. Paddy has shared the stage with such notable acts as Rita Coolidge, Mary Chapin Carpenter and The Persuasions. She has recorded two CD's and is currently working on her third.

“Paddy Dougherty is as real a deal as they come. She doesn't have to work to pull you in; she just sings and you're already there because you can feel her heart in every song, and her voice is the voice of an angel, an angel who's lived a little, and knows what's going on."

                                                   -Tom Kimmel, Nashville Singer/Songwriter

“ ‘Fly Away’ is about longing for freedom with the hope of eventually taking flight.” 

- Paddy

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4.  Lawrence Lambert - “Mars” from Big Wide Grin – Live (2002) – www.bigwidegrin.com

Lawrence Lambert, acoustic guitar, vocals; Karl Werne, solo acoustic guitar, vocals; Elaine Dempsey, vocals

Lawrence Lambert’s unique and captivating voice is matched by his thoughtful, provocative and melodic songwriting style. Lawrence is one-third of Big Wide Grin, a dynamic and exhilarating acoustic rock group. He is working on his first solo CD and plans for a 2007 release.

“The night I wrote ‘Mars’ I found out that Mars was as close to this planet as it has been in 2000 years. I was wondering if the planet Mars would actually be affecting the way we see war in our world. ‘Mars’ is, at it’s core, a cry for peace.”

-Lawrence

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5.   Narissa Bond - “Face My Fears” from Between Two Rivers (2003) – www.narissabond.com

Copyright 2001, Narissa Bond Music BMI

Narissa Bond, Guitar and Vocals; Scott Smith, Guitar

Narissa Bond is a rare folk artist whose warmth and wisdom captivate audiences through intimate storytelling. Her melodies reflect their rich folk and jazz influences. Bond was awarded a Fellowship from the Kansas Commission of Arts in praise of her first recording "A Free Spirit Can't Run Fast in High Heels".   Narissa has several solo recordings.

“ ‘Face My Fears’ is dedicated to a very dear friend who lives in my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.  It's a song about the support I have been blessed with during my own spiritual growth and healing. Since writing the song, I have played "Face My Fears" for vigils and gatherings around the country for victims of domestic violence.”

-Narissa

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6.  Larry Berwald - "Reconciled" from Reflect On (2002) - www.larrybmusic.com

Larry B, guitar; Randy Burt, soprano saxophone.

Larry is a multi-talented musician and composer exploring the solo acoustic guitar and guitar family instruments including the steel-bodied resonator guitar and the unique and beautiful harp guitar. With a diverse repertoire and impressive technical ability, fans of great guitar music are sure to be pleased.  "Reflect On" is his first solo CD.

“When we reconcile ourselves to situations, knowing that we've done the best we can, our peace is more readily restored.  Often this amounts to becoming comfortable in our own skin, at peace with the world and more able to be in a state of wonder at the magnificence of existence.”

-Larry B

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7. Lewis McGehee - “Waterfall” from Distant Voices (1990) – www.lewismcgehee.com

Lewis McGehee, guitar

Hailed as one of our region’s best-loved and hardest working performers, Lewis is a household name in Hampton Roads.  His aggressive approach to acoustic guitar has made him a prominent force on the Virginia music scene. He lives in Chesapeake with his wife and four daughters.

“ ‘Waterfall’ almost wrote itself.  The melody just came together and reminded me of water flowing, so I named it ‘Waterfall’.” Lewis McGehee

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8.     Robbin Thompson - “Water from the Moon” from his upcoming release, Just a Blur in the Rearview (2007) –
        www.robbinthompson.com

 Robbin Thompson, guitar and vocal; BJ Leiderman, piano (???)

Since 1976, Virginia favorite Robbin Thompson has been a nationally-recognized songwriter and recording artist.  In addition to performing in Bruce Springsteen’s early band Steel Mill, and co-writing songs with Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles, Robbin has twice won the American Song Festival. With his Richmond-based production company, In Your Ear,  Robbin currently writes music for commercials and films.

This song was inspired by the Javanese phrase, "to yo ya king rembulan" which literally means "water from the moon". However, because there is no water on the moon, the Javanese use this phrase to mean "anything that's impossible".   To me it means that if we can change small things in our lives we can make the impossible happen.

  Robbin

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9.  Mary Lou Osterhous -  “The Storm”

Mary Lou Osterhous, guitar; Curtis Eley, electric guitar; Karl Werne, acoustic guitar; Jimmy Masters, bass. Produced by Karl Werne.

Mary Lou Osterhous is well known among local musicians and acoustic music fans.  A creator and co-leader of the music group Sea-Aira, she writes songs from the heart, telling the story of her life’s experience and her astute observances of the world around her. 

“The storm is a dedication to the wonderful afternoon thunder storms we have here in the summer. While writing the song I dreamt I was a young boy in medieval Scotland whose village was being stormed by fire breathing dragons. I awoke feeling sure they believed that was what lightning was.”

-Mary Lou  

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10.  Linda Nelson - “Wide Open Heart” from Wilderness (2005) – www.lindanelsonmusic.com

Linda Nelson, acoustic guitar, vocal; Dave Glaser, electric guitar; John Thomakos, drums; Steve Sachse, bass; Jennifer Smith, cello; John Grant, drum programming. Recorded and mixed in 2005 at Secret Sound Studios, John Grant engineer.

Linda is a Baltimore-based singer/songwriter for whom music is a lifelong passion.  Her songs reflect a blend of many musical influences and her deep southern roots.  She gathers inspiration from exotic and wild spaces. Wilderness is her third solo CD.

“ ‘Wide Open Heart’ is about asking for and giving help and the beauty in that…”

-Linda

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11.  Jimmy Masters - “Special Ones” from Co-Op Venture (1997) – www.jimmymasters.com

Jimmy Masters, bass; John Toomey, piano; Eddie Williams, saxophone; Howard Curtis, drums

Jimmy Masters is an acoustic bassist who plays the music he loves with many different people. He also composes, produces, records, and teaches.  He served as board chair for Hope House Foundation and is an advisor to TAO. He plays a German flat back bass made circa 1885.

“ ‘Special Ones’ is related to children and their innocence. It was recorded with Co-Op Venture, a band consisting of me, John Toomey on piano; Eddie Williams on saxophone and Howard Curtis on drums.  The empathy that comes with having played music together for a very long time comes through on this particular song. The CD of the same name was recorded live in Chandler Recital Hall, Old Dominion University. It was released in 1997.”- Jimmy  

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12.  Sonya Lorelle - “Lost So Long”  from The Life You Wanted (2005) – www.sonyalorelle.com

Sonya Lorelle, piano/vocal; Jo Ben Whittenburg, bass; Paul Sanders, drums; Brad Brewer, alto/tenor sax

Sonya writes sultry, sophisticated, bluesy tunes and sings them with a powerful and passionate voice.  Her unique, songwriting style draws upon Motown, salsa, jazz, blues and folk influences, to name a few.  The Life You Wanted is her second CD.

“I wrote "Lost So Long" while backpacking alone around Europe.  As I walked...and walked, I began contemplating about my state of being lost in various cities and also about what direction in life I needed to go when I returned home.”  Sonya

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13.  Big Wide Grin -