Andy May - Room for Roots

The Woman in the Wings

©Andy May, Lauren LeCroy May, James Heffernan (Swift River Music)

Andy:  Many folks ask me if this song is about my mom. As I started to write it, I surely was inspired by her example. Then, Lauren LeCroy May added her wise touch to the lyric, and Jim Heffernan brought some good insight, as well. When the song was complete, I felt like we had created something that not only honored my mom but also made a statement about all people who encourage good things in the lives of those around them. Their encouragement lives on long after it is given.    (… more, credits, lyrics)

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Wynn Fay-Andy May-c.1980

Wynn Fay

Wynn was the REAL deal: soulful, musical, knowledgeable, kindhearted, and humble. I performed many a show with him. And, once you were asked to be a Ridgerunner, you were a Ridgerunner for life – and also a member of Wynn’s musical family. Ask other former Ridgerunners like Jim Rooney, Bill Kieth, Jim Heffernan, or Jeff Greenwood (who married Wynn’s daughter Zoe!) or many, many others, and you will hear them all agree.

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Room for Roots - Cover

Andy May CDs

All of Andy’s CDs are released on Swift River Music. In addition to writing and arranging his material, Andy produces all of his own recordings. When he doesn’t play or sing a part himself, he brings in great musicians to do the job. On his CDs, you’ll hear the likes of  Kenny KosekKenny MaloneDennis CrouchDarrin VincentHal RuggCurtis McPeakeJonathan YudkinJim HeffernanJohn Gardner, Rodger MorrisCharlie CushmanBuddy GreeneJeff TaylorRick LeeDave TalbotCraig Fletcher …. and the list goes on. Just explore the player on the right to hear samples of their work!


 

 

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Blackberry Jam - Andy May - cover art

Blackberry Jam – Song

©Lauren LeCroy MayAndy May (Swift River Music/BMI)

Behind the Song

Lauren (words): I wrote this lyric the first summer we lived in Tennessee, after we have been once through all the seasons. We had moved from Colorado at the end of the previous May with our then 2-year-old, and wild blackberries, which didn’t grow in the part of Colorado where we had lived, were a revelation to us. (So were chiggers, but that’s another story entirely!) Every bit of this song is true: Blackberry picking with our kid and our old black dog became a part of our summers, and blackberry jam became a part of our winters.

Andy (music): When Lauren first showed me this lyric, she asked if I could work in a break using a bit of the old fiddle tune, Blackberry Blossom when I scored it. I worked with it a bit and realized that the structure of her lyric fit Blackberry Blossom perfectly – it just needed a “b part.” Lauren re-worked one of her verses into a b part/chorus and I based the entire melody on Blackberry Blossom – including working in the break that Lauren has asked for.

Several years later, my buddy, Tabby Crabb, made a music video of this song for us. (Below) 

Listen

(… more, credits, lyrics)

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robert-bromley-dont-lose-heart

Robert Bromley – Don’t Lose Heart

From the liner notes: It’s been a challenging four years, with all the rodeo rides life’s thrown at us. Though life does not always deal you the perfect hand, God, family and friends can see you through anything. Believe in your dreams and cherish the ones who stand beside you through it all. Most of all, don’t lose heart.–RB I…

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