This is my second album, and it has a specific purpose. The purpose is to recognize and applaud an extraordinary 200 year relationship between a college and the small city it resides in. The college is Colby College {2,200 students) and the city is Waterville, Maine (population 15,000). 100 years ago, the city came to the rescue of the college by deeding a large tract of land so the college could move and expand as needed. And recently, with the city falling on hard times (the textile and other mills had moved south or overseas), the college, under a new and dynamic president whose name is David Greene, repaid the city by expanding the college campus, in part, back to the city, 2 miles from the main campus on Mayflower Hill.
The college also made or partnered new investments in a revitalized city that includes art and other facilities and businesses and even a boutique hotel. Now the city looks as it should, with a modern look and feel and an emphasis on the arts and humanities, inspired by Colby’s leadership as one of the country’s leading liberal arts colleges. The city and the college have exchanged good deeds over the years and both have benefited as neighbors. And it shows! So this album of 12 songs entitled “neighbors” has been recorded and distributed as a tribute to those neighborly deeds.
I play and sing with a trio (the Beaumont Bistro Trio) in the Pennsylvania retirement community where I live. Studying and performing music, or any other discipline, at a senior age is to be recommended and enjoyed. It keeps the mind active and nourished, if there is a commitment to learn and an experienced teacher. Such is the case with me and my two colleagues, Vick Kelly and Helen Vinick. Our teacher’s name is Chuck Anderson and you can find him on any of his many websites. Chuck has seen and done it all musically. He teaches guitar, piano and singing and has been at it for 60 years. Chuck has recorded 14 albums and written 24 books on acoustic, jazz and classical guitar. He is a one person Julliard. Hope you enjoy “Neighbors”.
I dedicate this album to my family; first to Bette, my wife of many years; to Wendy, our daughter; to Aaron, our son-in-law; and to their three children (our grandchildren) Charlie, Brendan and Lily. Wendy and her family live in upstate New York, and are busy with academics, work, sports and, of course, music.