A Christmas Offering Turns Into An Album - by Don Rhodes
When Augusta musician Jamie Jones recorded one of his grandmother's songs as a Christmas gift, he didn't expect it to become a full-blown album, Down by the Railroad Tracks.
Mr. Jones and his former People Who Must bandmate, John Kolbeck, co-produced the album and composed the music, which spans the spectrums of country, folk, Americana, jazz, rock and blues. The lyrics for 11 of the songs were written by Mr. Jones' grandmother, Mary C. Norris, of Camak, Ga., and the lyrics for two of the songs were written by his aunt, Gladys C. Mayes, of Thomson.
Mrs. Mayes also painted the CD cover, which depicts steam engine Locomotive 750 heading into downtown Camak.
"This album is not exactly easy listening music but it's still easy to listen to," said Mr. Jones, a drummer with such diverse bands as Impulse Ride, People Who Must, Horse Creek Band, The Robbie Ducey Band and Mr. K's Nashville Sound. "The songs in this album are so heartfelt, I figured that if I enjoyed them so much, and they spoke to me, then they would speak to other people as well."
The CD gets its public debut when Mr. Jones and Mr. Kolbeck perform tonight at the Fox's Lair, 349 Telfair St. There will be a free, nonsmoking show at 8 p.m., followed by a smoking-permitted show at 9:30 p.m. with a $2 cover charge. The duo expects a little help from friends, including guitarist/vocalist Pat Blanchard.
Mrs. Norris and Mrs. Mayes wrote "a ton of songs" in the late 1980s and early '90s and created their own music publishing company, Silver Dash Music, to try and get them recorded. Mr. Jones told his grandmother that as his present to her for the Christmas of 2000, he would record any song of her choice. She submitted A Working Man Dreams; about a man who hangs in there with his tough job so he can have some money to make his big dreams come true down the road.
Mr. Jones talked his Mr. Kolbeck into joining him on the recording project and later gave him a copy of the completed work. They received a good response and decided to do a full CD of the songs.
Appropriately, the duo performed songs from the album for two years at Camak's Railroad Days festival. "It's not like Woodstock or something big, but we have had about 40 or 50 people at the festival standing around listening to our songs," Mr. Jones said.
Silver Dash Music Draws From Tradition - Lisa Jordan
The origins of Silver Dash Music reach back further than the two years it took Jamie Jones and John Kolbeck to record the 14 cuts that made it onto "Down by the Railroad Tracks."
"Silver Dash Music isn't a band: It's an idea, a notion," says Kolbeck.
It's also the name of a music publishing company started by Jones' grandmother, Mary Norris, and great aunt, Gladys Mayes. Norris and Mayes are also the lyricists behind all but two of the tracks on the album.
"The idea was just to record one song," Jones says. "It was kind of like a Christmas present, mainly to (my grandmother)."
And things snowballed from there. Kolbeck's enthusiasm about the songs of Norris and Mayes led to a recording session that stretched out over two years.
"Those lyrics deserve to be sung within the context of a great song," says Kolbeck. "It's the most heartfelt album I've ever recorded, because of three things great lyrics, great hooks, great melodies."
The time and effort spent on this project shines through in every note. There's something else that stands out, as well, and that's the feeling of sincerity that emanates from the music.
"It's Jamie's voice, I think," says Kolbeck. "There's a lot of space in the songs. The overall charm has got to be Jamie's voice."
"My grandmother sent me the songs, and we sat there and started coming up with stuff, how to sing," Jones says. "As I listened to the mixes, I started listening to the lyrics, and they finally hit home, really came to life towards the end of the project. I think the lyrics made sense. They came to life; they made sense.
"What makes it even sweeter is, it's coming from someone who's been there. To me, that's where the sincerity comes in."
That honesty is also evident on the two tracks with lyrics penned by Kolbeck. "Teddy Bears and Kisses Goodnight" and "One More Song Sung" blend seamlessly with the rest of the album.
"His two songs just kind of fit," says Jones. "John's a great writer. He's got plenty of songs, really good songs, that needed to be showcased. Excellent writer."
While much of the album has a country flavor, to label "Down by the Railroad Tracks" as such would be a knee-jerk reaction. The combination of influences present in Jones and Kolbeck's melodies is hard to pinpoint.
"We kind of wanted to explore some different avenues," Kolbeck says. "I really hesitate to call it a country album, even though a lot of the songs were kind of written that way."
"It's a full spectrum of what we're exposed to, what we like," says Jones. "We wanted to do the songs some justice. (My grandmother) told me, 'Now you do it like the young people like it.'"
The narrative tone of the album continues the tradition of classic country and folk music, while instrumentation that includes the mandolin lends a bluegrass feel. There's even a gospel vibe on the last track.
"It kind of tells a story," says Kolbeck of the album as a whole. "To me, it's kind of a love story."
What started out as a concept album about life in the tiny railroad town of Camak, Ga., evolved into a compilation of songs encompassing feelings that almost anyone can relate to.
"I think that's what probably appeals to (my family) the most," Jones says. "We're both surprised. They're surprised. They really seem to like it. I'm just curious to see generally what people think about it. When you listen to it in its entirety, it's really not a country album at all. We want to appeal to the masses and for people to enjoy it."
It's hard not to enjoy songs this carefully crafted. While some songs forced Jones and Kolbeck to struggle in the search for the perfect sounds to compliment already-written lyrics, others just worked right away.
"A lot of times, the lead parts it's kind of funny a lot of the lead parts, some of the first takes, we just kept," says Kolbeck. "They had a spontaneity and charm to them."
"We definitely tried to work the songs out," Jones adds. "A lot of tracks we laid down, we didn't even use as far as the final mix. We had a lot to choose from. Ruskin Yeargain had a lot to do with bringing the songs out in the final mix. We just gave him a shot, and the final mix was just excellent stuff."
Both Kolbeck and Jones are full-time musicians, but it seems that, in the future, no matter how full their plates are, a love for the project will keep Silver Dash Music alive.
"We have enough lyrics to record albums and albums," says Kolbeck. "The next one, I think we're going to branch out even further."
To experience Silver Dash Music live, head down to the Fox's Lair this Friday, March 7. There will be two shows: one at 8 p.m. with no cover charge and no smoking, and a 9:30 p.m. show with a $2 cover charge. For more information, call the Fox's Lair at 828-5600.
Silver Dash Music "Down By The Railroad Tracks" - reviewed by Stoney Cannon
The May CD release of the month is by SILVER DASH MUSIC!
Blending the rare mix of melodies, harmonies and touching lyrics, the debut release by SILVER DASH MUSIC is much more than just a musical journey. Just one listen is all it takes to realize that this release is a labour of love. Doesn't matter if you know the story or not. The melodies hook you and the words pull you into visions of warm summer days in the old South. True love and heartache in a time when innocence still existed beyond mere childhood. When your grandfolks mention "the good ol' days", well this is what they were talking about. But before you go thinking this is too old fashioned for today's music, there's two sides to this musical fence.
On one side there's drummer/vocalist Jamie Jones' grandmother, Mary C. Norris and great aunt, Gladys C. Mayes, who provided the lyrical stories of the past to be connected to the music of the future by Jones and collaborator John Kolbeck, who also provided two complete tracks of his own. The final result is a magical combination of good old fashioned storytelling mixed with modern country and pop hooks and harmonies.
Starting with the title track "Down by the Railroad Tracks", Jones sounds like a young Glenn Frey and when the harmonies kick in one has to wonder what life would be like if the Eagles were still writing music this good. Think I'm kidding? Try "One Night in Austin" or my personal fave "Dream by Dream".
There's something for everyone on this CD. If you wanna snap your fingers put on "There Ain't No Way to Put Out This Fire", listen to "Back in My Life Again" for a more country mood or "Teddy Bears and Kisses Goodnight" if you want something setimental.
Word of advice, this is probably the fastest selling Augusta debut, if not, fast selling CD altogether. Best grab one before they're gone!
