This Blog is about a couple of talented musicians from North Wales. Stacey McNeill & Jonathan Smith who have recently formed singer/songwriter duo. I just recently discover this duo myself, I first learned of Stacey and her song “My Favorite What If.” This is a beautiful song; Stacey style is considered country/folk which also Jonathan’s style. They both have a slightly different vocals, but when they do the harmonies on the songs it just becomes pure magic. When I hear new artist, I always try to find a comparison to someone else. But with these two I cannot find one, they have such a unique sound. I don’t know much about North Wales music scene, but all I can say is that their music is something that could easily be performed anywhere. Very universal style. Now Jonathan has some music already out, but this is Stacey’s first venture into the music world of recording. Together they have an EP “Leaving Autumn Town” and more recently an album “Parallel Lines”. They are both very well done, with some amazing songs. At the end of this Blog is a list of where you can find their music. So, since I am just learning about this amazing duo, I will let them tell you more about themselves, I was able to ask both Stacey & Jonathan some questions. First though here is a little bio on them. Highly recommend you investigate their music. I think most of my music loving friends will enjoy them. Stacey and Jonathan’s joint musical journey began by chance in early 2020 when, while producing songs for Stacey’s solo album, the two realized their close musical alignment in song writing and harmony. With his solo albums described by Americana UK as "an inspired piece of writing", Jonathan Smith is a singer songwriter living and working out of North Wales. His songs center around reflective and poetic lyrics, while musically, he draws from an eclectic range of influences, from acoustic folk and the classic singer-songwriters to 50's rock, classic pop music, and country. Jonathan was raised in Cornwall in the UK, and while there he reached the semifinals of a National Songwriting competition run by EMI. He has been writing ever since, and released his first collection, the mini album 'Last Leaf', in 2011. To date, Jonathan has released a total of three solo albums; 'Last Leaf', 'Travel Bag' and 'Steps', all of which are available for streaming and purchase across the online platforms. In addition to his solo work, Jonathan also regularly collaborates with fellow singer songwriter and friend Cliff Howard, and plays in the Americana style band, Rivertown, performing a mixture of originals and covers. Raised on heartfelt country ballads and foot tapping folk tunes in the West Midlands of the UK, Stacey's song writing styles have been heavily influenced by the music she grew up listening to in her family home. Drawing on inspiration from the likes of Nanci Griffith and Dolly Parton Stacey has been writing songs straight from the heart since her early 20's, but only began performing live as a solo act in 2019 after moving to North Wales. Her original song "My Favorite What If" received a commended entry award in the UK Songwriting Contest in the same year, and will be featured on her debut album, currently being recorded, and produced, for release later in 2020. Stacey also performs as part of country covers duo "The Dixie Sisters" alongside biological sibling Kelly Osborne. Since starting to work together musically, Stacey & Jonathan have co-written and created several songs from across the breadth of the singer-songwriter genres, with a lean towards an acoustic folk sound, complimented by hints of country and pop. With a debut EP released in June 2020, Stacey & Jonathan have so far been well received by radio shows across the UK, Europe, the USA, and Canada, and are set to perform at various festivals over the coming months. Drawing much inspiration from the natural world, the duo’s moving, and heartfelt song writing provides an emotional, unfeigned look at the real world through the lens of earthy metaphors and delicate imagery. With a sound and style that can at times be likened to Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, or Gareth Dunlop & Kim Richey, listeners can expect a collection of reflective lyrics, sensitive melodies and captivating harmonies from Stacey & Jonathan’s increasing repertoire of original songs. Now for some Questions:
Stacey: I have always sung for as long as I can remember, and I did my first public performance at school around aged 11 when I dressed up as Cher and sang ‘Strong Enough’ in a talent contest. I started playing guitar in my early 20s, really because I wanted to write my own songs. I had some lyrics already written, so I learnt to play G, C Em and D chords and was away! I’m now also learning to play the piano too. Jonathan: I first picked up a guitar around 10 or 11. My fingers were too small to reach the full six strings! I started trying to write my own songs around 15. I now plan many instruments, including banjo, harmonica, mandolin, and dulcimer which comes in handy when recording and producing, as I do all that sort of stuff for mine and Stacey’s music.
Stacey: Playing with Jonathan has been the first time I’ve been involved with music with anyone else! I’ve been a solo musician until then. It was only a couple of years ago that I started taking music seriously and decided to try and release some of my own songs into the world. It was meeting Jonathan that spurred me on to start recording songs of my won, and then our duo was born out of that. I also sing for fun with my sister – we have our own little country covers duo called ‘Queen’s Tennessee’. Jonathan: A few over the years, mostly covers bands, playing for fun. I’m also in an Americana band called Rivertown. Stacey and I have been writing and recording music together for just over a year now, pretty much all done in lockdown due to Covid. 3.Where were you born? Stacey: I’m from a town called Coventry in England – a city heavily bombed during the Blitz in the war. It has a lot of history, but isn’t somewhere I call home anymore, simply because I’m a country girl at heart, and the city isn’t somewhere I enjoy being. I now live on the Isle of Anglesey, which is about as far North as you can get in Wales, UK. A few years back my husband, Jamie, and I both left our full-time teaching jobs and sold our house, in search of a simpler, stress free life. We now work seasonally, and travel during the UK winters on our two motorcycles. We live for most of the year in a tiny trailer (caravan in UK speak!) and absolutely love not having to pay a mortgage as it gives us more time for our passions – like writing music in my case! Jonathan: I was born in Plymouth in Devon, but I grew up in West Cornwall, romantic country full of cliffs, beaches, and old ruined mine workings. I now live in North Wales with my wife Bernie and our two dogs in a tiny slate cottage. I have spent most of my career life working for the National Health Service in the UK as an Occupational Therapist, but writing, recording, and producing music is where my main passion is, and I’m fortunate to have more time to do that now. 4.Are you self-taught? Jonathan: Completely. Though you pick up tips form other players as you go along. Stacey: I am – with a hefty input from YouTube! I’ve learnt heaps from other local musicians recently – Anglesey has a thriving live music community that I’m so lucky to be a part of, and of course, working with Jonathan has been great for me in terms of developing my musical style for writing, singing, and playing – although we generally leave the latter to him as he’s so much better at it than I am! I always say, I’m a songwriter first, a singer second, and a guitar player in third place – playing an instrument is just a means to getting my songs down for me, whereas playing is a real passion for Jonathan, and he’s a talented musician. 5.Who are your biggest influences? Jonathan: The pop music of the 50’s and 60’s, initially; then singer songwriters like Paul Simon, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith and Ron Sexsmith. I also like early blues and jazz, and ‘the Great American songbook’ stuff…and folk music, especially from Scotland and Ireland, and Appalachian/bluegrass stuff. Stacey: I’m a country girl at heart, although my music influences and tastes are far reaching. In my writing, you can hear the country influence quite a bit – I grew up listening to Dolly Parton, Jonny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, among others. In my teens and 20s I found the wonderful music of Nanci Griffith and Emmylou Harris/Gram Parsons, which has heavily influenced the storytelling side of my writing and given me a real passion for singer/songwriter music. As a duo, we draw on all these combined influences for sure, but I would say that two duos that have really inspired our acoustic, stripped back production style have been Gareth Dunlop/Kim Richey (The have a joint EP called ‘The Nashville Sessions’ that I would strongly recommend anyone checks out if you like acoustic music – this was the inspiration around our own first EP in 2020 ‘Leaving Autumn Town’). The other band is the Civil Wars – duo Joy Williams and John Paul White – incredibly moving, but simple, uncomplicated music that just seems to hit all the right spots. 6.What style of music do you consider yours? I suppose singer-songwriter? But Stacey and I both enjoy crossing genres. The song comes first, and then whatever backing best suits it. We tend to lean towards an acoustic, raw sound, favoring instruments like the acoustic guitar, piano and banjo, but then we’ve also got a couple of full production ballads, some pop influenced songs, and even a Latin inspired number on the way in our next collection, so we really do go where the musical motivation takes us! 7.What was your first gig? How old were you? Jonathan: First gig I played in was in our school, when I was about 17. We were too loud, and too unrehearsed! But a lot of fun. First gig I attended was the Pogues, I think I was about 20! Nobody came to Cornwall in those days, and we had no transport to get the 170 miles to Bristol, which was the closest the touring bands would come! Stacey: Aside from my debut as Cher in my early life, I really didn’t start singing or playing live properly until my 30s, when I moved to North Wales and got more involved with the music scene here. At university I earned beer money by impersonating Shania Twain and Amy Winehouse at student events, but nothing serious. When I moved to Wales, I performed a bit in local pubs, mainly doing country covers, but the first time I’m performed my own songs was at a lovely gig in Jonathan’s tiny little village – that was a huge turning point for me, where I realized that what I really wanted to do was to get my own songs heard and focus on getting original music out there. 8.What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? Jonathan: I don’t know if I have any advice, really. But artistically, you need to try to be your own critic but also your own cheerleader…you need that angel and devil on each shoulder, and just one of them won’t do it. You owe it to your music to do the best you can…you owe it to yourself not to be so critical as to stop you stepping out there. Stacey: Haha! Jonathan saying, he has no advice is hilarious to me, because you wouldn’t believe how much I’ve learnt from him over the last 18 months! He is a constant source of inspiration and words of wisdom! I can’t offer any technical advice, but cliched as it is, what I would say is that success is what you make it. For me, making music isn’t about performing to huge crowds and going on arena tours 200 nights of the year. Sure, it’s nice to earn a few pennies from the odd CD sale or small gig, but really music is about the connections you make. Connections to your loyal followers, to other musicians and songwriters, and to yourself, when you tap into what it is that makes a raw and emotional song. If you’re not enjoying it, you’re doing something wrong. 9.Do you write your own songs? Definitely! That is our main interest. It has been a new experience for both of us to co-write, but it has brought us some great songs, so we’re keeping on doing it! And we enjoy writing in many styles…one of our collaborations sounds like something Patsy Cline or Roy Orbison might have recorded! 10.What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal song collection? Jonathan: My first record was by the Smurfs, and I still have it! I am a big fan of Abba, incredible song writing. And I have no problem listening to them back-to-back with Fats Waller or Neil Young! Stacey: By total contrast to the songs, I write and play, I adore music from India and the middle east. In my early 20s I took up belly dance, and have dabbled in it ever since, and I’m also fortunate to have several Indian and Bangladeshi friends, and so my personal collection of Bollywood and Bhangra songs on Spotify is something to behold! I don’t think even Jonathan knows about it knows the extent come to think of it! Here are some sites you can find their music…www.smjsmusic.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo25RvS5Tbs_kp2cQn7NLRQ https://www.facebook.com/staceymcneillandjonathansmith
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This issue of my blog is about someone who be consider a St. Louis Music Legend, Melissa Neels.
I met Melissa in 2013, she was playing at BB’s in a benefit concert. I was instantly blown away with her guitar playing. Then you throw her singing style in well you are in for a very energetic show. I got to meet Melissa that night, it was an instant friendship. Now I know that I mentioned above about Melissa being a “St. Louis Music Legend.” I truly believe this, there are not many female guitar players here. Melissa is in the “Top Shelf” bracket, she is as good or sometimes better than some of the male guitar players around town or anywhere. Let’s talk about Melissa songwriting. She has a real gift for writing songs, they are songs that everyone can relate to. Once you see The Melissa Neels Band you will be hooked, also you will learn about Melissa’s Grandma Norma which she wrote a song about. Besides being a Outstanding musician and singer, Melissa is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. I highly recommend you check her out if you get the chance. Melissa was born in St. Louis, Mo. She grew up listening to records on her mom and dad’s 1970’s stereo console. In junior high school she started to take guitar lessons after listening to a Chuck Berry tape on the way to The Lake of the Ozarks in her family’s old green van. Not knowing that a childhood dream would come true of meeting and opening for the legendary Chuck Berry at Blueberry Hill’s Duck Room in 2003. Another event that would change Melissa’s path was meeting Bonnie Raitt with her mom in 1990 and in 1991. Bonnie told Melissa “to keep playing the blues” and gave her an autograph picture. After that she worked hard to learn how to play lead guitar. After graduating high school, Melissa played in many bands including Cool Water with her friend Bud (who would be her drummer throughout the years), The Skillet Sisters, and Delilah. She realized the other bands weren’t going to allow her to express herself and play the kind of music she wanted to play. So, in 2000 she set out to form her own group at the age of 18, The Melissa Neels Band. Throughout the band’s history, Melissa has had many talented musicians in her band. For instance, Bob Keller, who was her bass player and performed on her cd “Shine”. Bob was a founding member of The Allman Joys with Greg and Duane Allman. That band later became The Allman Brothers. Melissa is backed by 4 talented and experienced musicians who have been with her for many years. Matt McCauley on keys and background vocals, Bud Rager on drums, Stu Massey on bass and background vocals and guest appearances by Howard Young on the harmonica, make up the current Melissa Neels Band. Not only is Melissa influenced by Bonnie Raitt but also by Debbie Davies, Susan Tedeschi, Loretta Lynn, Joanna Connor, Freddie King, Albert King, and The Allman Brothers. Melissa can appreciate all music to some extent but blues with a hint of rock really describes her sound. In 2013, as a side project she began performing with the whole women band, “Groove Sistahs” featuring Sharon Bear, Carolyn Ittner, and Leslie Sanazaro. Also, that year she started to play in a duo with singer-songwriter Jen Norman. Melissa’s lifelong dream to become a singer, lead guitarist, songwriter, performer and to entertain people has all come true thru hard work and determination. Music is Melissa’s passion, and she hopes to perform and turn people on to her music for years to come. 1.How long have you been playing music? I started playing guitar at age 13. 2.Where were you born? St. Louis, Mo and attended Oakville Senior High School 3.Are you self-taught? I took lessons when I was younger, then I learned how to play lead guitar from Clint Wilson when I was 19. I worked on getting better on my own in my early 20’s and then I went back to lessons for a little while in my 30’s. 4.Who are your biggest influences? My biggest influences are Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Freddie King, Albert King, B.B. King, Allman Brothers, Loretta Lynn 5.What style of music do you consider yours? My style of music is blues/rock. 6.What was your first gig? How old were you? The first time I performed in front of people with a group was when I was 18. I played in a band with Bud Rager, (my current drummer), and Chris Noblin who played bass. We played a few songs on the break of Chris’s dad’s band at Dock Knockers at The Lake of the Ozarks. 7.What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? My advice for someone starting out would be to always believe in yourself, be a humble musician and don’t get too cocky, treat every musician with respect, practice your instrument and voice, write songs, and never give up on your dream no matter how old you are. 8.Do you write your own songs? Yes, I write my own songs and perform cover songs. 9.What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal song collection? People would be surprised that I have Loretta Lynn Greatest hits and Merle Haggard Greatest hits. Here is where you can find info on Melissa Neels. http://melissaneels.net/ I will say again that you should check out Melissa Neels Band if you ever get the chance. She is a St. Louis, Music Legend. |
AuthorHello, My name is Michael. I am into music, have been for over 48yrs. Big fan of all kinds of music, right now it has been the Blues for the last 10yrs. I do not play any instruments, But I very interested in the recording aspect of the industry. Have messed around with it a little and always learning new things about it. I have met many wonderful people because of Music.. Hope you enjoy my Blogs... In the last two years I have been producing House Concerts. I also in the past 2 years got to produce and engineer an album for a very good friend of mine from Sweden "Magpie". Archives
February 2024
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