Andy Byron: Links

BENT ROSES: This band consists of my some of my oldest and closest friends, Bill & Susan Roser and Scott Bennett (producer of my CD too). Eleven of the twelve songs were written by my buddy, Bill Roser, and I am as much a fan of his stuff today as I was the first time I heard him knock me out at the Denver Folklore Center in 1973 on "open mic night" playing "Merrill Lynch is Bullshit on America." Granted, his stuff wasn't all so irreverent but all great. This CD is the culmination of 30+ years of singing, writing, and finally recording ... with his beautiful wife, Susan, and our mutual friend and music guru, Scott! Check this stuff out!!!
SCOTT BENNETT: All I can say is ... Scott is my friend of 36 years as well as my musical brother, mentor, compatriot, producer, arranger, guitarist, ... and on and on and on. He is responsible for what you hear on my CD. All I did was write the songs and sing them but he made "music" out of them. He pushed the envelope and my visions of the songs to get the best that they could be. All I can say is...thank you, my Friend!!! You're a gem!
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY: Aside from being my favorite songwriter and performer since the 1970's, he's one of the most interesting and intelligent people I know. He's also one heck of a horseman too and a very good friend. We've had some great times on the trail together. Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2006 we were part of the "Great American Cattle Drive" and drove a herd of 80 or so longhorn cattle down the 'Ol Chisholm Trail and right down Main Street through Ellsworth, Kansas to raise money for the National Drover's Museum that's going to be built right there.
STROLLING SCONES: This British invasion band has my good friends, Rick Stockton and Helen Highwater, as it's leaders and this band is just a blast! Check 'em out...you won't be disappointed!
MICHAEL LANNING: Michael is one fantastic singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the band, "Jiva," in 1970s. They were the first group signed to the newly formed label, Dark Horse Records, owned by George Harrison. (Michael and his band also played at our wedding in 1984 which I will never forget.)
THE BADLY BENT: This is a great bluegrass band with my good friend, Mark "Epper" Epstein as one of it's members and banjo player extraordinaire. Epper and I spent a lot of great times pickin' tunes as camp counselors back in the 70's.
PAT MCDONALD & THE TROPICAL COWBOYS: Pat is one heck of a songwriter, musician, singer and all around great guy. He has this habit of writing songs that are very uplifiting, spiritual and postive. I told him that we make the perfect pair because for every song he comes up with that has some positive message...I have two more about lost love, cheating, and depression. (Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration...but, the guy is just too damn happy!)
DAKOTA BLONDE: Mary Huckins is the lead vocalist for this country-bluegrass band. She sings like a bird and she's quite a songwriter as well. I was thrilled to have her sing the harmony for "Everyday" on my CD. Check out their newest release -- it's wonderful!
THE LITTLE GIRLS: The band has my old buddy, Kip Brown, in it as the only remaining original member besides Caron & Michele. They were such a great band in the early 80's and now have regrouped to record a new album. But I still think "The Earthquake Song" should have been a #1 hit record from way back then...
CHRISTINE THOMAS: Christine, is a wonderful singer & songwriter right here in Boise...and one heck of a nice person too. Check out her current CD release called, "Neighborhood of Nine."
THE HEARD: Great local Boise folk band with my buddy, Mark Utting, who writes songs, sings and plays guitar in the band.
THE SUBDUDES: This band has been around since the late 1980's and has John Magnie as one of it's members who plays an amazing accordian and piano. I was lucky to get him to play both on my CD as well. Enjoy a listen to this great band.
THE KINGSTON TRIO: I believe this was the greatest folk music group of all time. And they were the reason I got into music in the first place. The version I have the fondest memories of was Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds and John Stewart which dispanded in 1967. I had the great opportunity to see them live and meet them during their last 3 week engagement at the "Hungry i" in San Francisco when I was eleven years old. I'll never forget it! Check out this site...it has all kinds of memorabilia and info on the group, past and present.
LINDSEY BYRON PHOTOGRAPHY: This is my oldest daughter...need I say more? But, I must tell you, the girl is GOOD! So check it out...I have high hopes for her!
MICHAEL SOKOLIS ART: My old buddy from the Nashville days has become one heck of a fine artist. He does a large amount of work for major corporate clients ... but he's still a fantastic songwriter as well. Way back in 1985 we co-wrote my song, "Cleaning House," whihc should pop up on my next CD project...
PEGGIE MOJE PAINTINGS: Peggie Moje is one of my oldest and most talented friends from back in my early music days. She was married to my good friend, Dick Bradley, and they led a couple of the best country/bluegrass bands (Country Coalition & Kajolia) ever. She is an amazing fiddle player and singer as well as artist...as you can see by the site attached of her paintings.
COMSTOCK RECORDS: Frank Fara & Patty Parker, owners of Comstock Records, were gracious enough to take on the promotion and marketing of my new CD, "Somewhere or Nowhere," and were responsible for my song, "40 MILES TO SAN ANTONE," spending 12 weeks on the European Country Music Assoc. charts peaking at #70. They're great people and have been doing this kind of thing for over 25 years. Check out their impressive roster of artists.
WESTERN FOLKLIFE CENTER: This is the home of the "National Cowboy Poetry Gathering" which Nancy and I attended for the first time this year and we will likely be back every year going forward. Held in Elko, Nevada, it brings together the very best of cowboy poets and cowboy singer-songwriters. That's right up my alley!
AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION: As you probably already figured out, I am a big fan of the camp experience having been a camp counselor for about 7 or 8 years in the 70's at Camp Thunderbird in Bemidji, Minnesota. I led teenagers on camping and canoe trips into the Northern Minnesota wilderness as well as western Ontario. And now it's come full circle...all three of my girls have had the camp experience as kids and chosen to become camp counselors as well. It's so rewarding to see your kids grow up and make that same kind of contribution to other young kids.
CAMP THUNDERBIRD: Alright, alright, I guess I just better give them the plug they deserve. This camp that I worked at and all of my kids have attended is one of those very special places that hardly exist anymore. Check it out...the streaming photos on their Homepage have a little red-head with her face all painted up. Yeah, that one belongs to me -- my youngest.
ANDY'S FINANCIAL PLANNING PRACTICE: In my regular life, I own my own financial planning firm (Byron Financial Group) and advisory firm (Financial Educators of Idaho). My offices are located in downtown Boise, Idaho. I have the rewarding job of seeing people achieve their goals and dreams in life by helping them make smart decisions with their money...just like I'm doing with this CD project.