Mixing The Gumbo

Hi Everyone! It has been a few days since I have posted. My days are busier than ever now as we draw closer to the release of the new project, Weightless.

Anyone who resides or has spent anytime visiting in my home state of Louisiana certainly knows the value of a good bowl of seafood gumbo. These days, with the turbulence in the gulf, the value of gumbo or any other dish requiring fresh Louisiana seafood is way up.

When I got ready to build Weightless, I decided that I wanted to put it together like a good bowl of gumbo. I didn't want to fly solo in production and tracking. I wanted the input of other producers and musicians on this one. I felt like and feel like the songs on Weightless are my best writing to date and I wanted to give the songs everything that they deserved. Like a good bowl of seafood gumbo, production in music is the same in every aspect. Too much of one thing can spoil the entire production. I wanted to bring in studio quality musicians to play all of the parts live in the studio. So, Casey Campbell, my talented producer, has worked with me in hiring and bringing in some of the most talented players to contribute to this project. Casey and I sat down and had long conversations in pre-production work as we decided which instruments would best compliment the writing.

So, if after August 28th, the Weightless Release, you should decide that you are interested in producing a project with the same flavor as mine, here is your recipe:

Greg Hayden (Writer, Co-Producer, Guitars, Piano, Organ, Vocals, Perc)
Casey Campbell, (Producer, Engineer, Acoustic and Electric Guitar)
Ben Manuel (Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin)
Ray Carr (Bass Guitar)
Jemario (Bubba) Gros (Drums)
Scott Eisenogle (Acoustic Upright Bass)
Jivka Jeleva (Violin)
Ernie Wilkinson (Accordion)
Cary Riche (Back-up Vocals)

I am very proud of the many flavors that have gone into this work and I can't wait to hear the finished product. The musicians who played are all from different backgrounds and their styles vary from Classical to Bluegrass to Cajun/Zydeco to Folk. In the end, I am certain that Emeril himself would be most pleased with this recipe!!!