NOTES:
Not long ago, when my family
had gathered together at my mom’s house, we set up the old brown card table
in the middle of the living room. Out from the cupboards and bookcases
came boxes
and albums full of old family
photos. Those photos called up memories for all of us, some painful, but
mostly sweet. They were a tangible representation of all that brought us
to where we are today.
Richard Exley said...”Experience
again the full range of emotion memories invoke. Let them play a nostalgic
melody on the strings of your heart. Remember the warmth of a special friendship,
the comfort of kindness, the closeness of family. Think about the Christ
Child in Bethlehem’s manger and
the nearness of God. Blink
back the tears, if need be, and swallow past the fist sized lump in your
throat, but don’t quench
the memories. They are a part of your history, part of the web of experience
which God has woven into the tapestry of your personhood.” I have counted
the years by Christmases, written on a series of envelopes and papers,
and set to music in the wee silent hours at home. These songs are the pages
of my scrapbook. My love and thanks to family and friends who embedded
themselves in my heart.
Dedication:
For almost half my adult
life I have performed my songs with my dear friend Merlynn Schofield at
my side. Her harmonies have woven themselves like velvet ribbons around
the melodies I’ve written. I have said for years that she could make any
old song sound wonderful! When she decided it was time to focus her energy
on some of her other talents and goals, I went through a serious case of
withdrawl. While my ears had to adjust to hearing myself alone, the hardest
part for me was missing her presence beside me. She has encouraged me to
stretch my wings further than I might have. For all the years of late night
music sessions; talks into the wee hours; trips to Nashville, LA, Boise,
Las Vegas and little towns all over the West; lugging equipment in and
lugging it out again; falling asleep in the middle of rehearsal; candlelight
songs; births and deaths and all the in-betweens; for all the goodness
you give, I dedicate this work to you — my friend; my sister; Merlynn.
Credits
Lead Vocals: Cori Connors
Harmony Vocals: Merlynn
Schofield
Duet Vocal: David Connors
Our Heavenly Choir: Deven,
Annesha, Jarren, Brittney, Kate, Annie, Shea, Tiffany, Lauren, Anna, Scott,
Summer,
Courtnie , Mandy, Shelley,
Monica, Olivia, Madeline, Allison and Megan
Vocal Coaching: Brett Manning
and Debbie Watkins
Guitar: Michael Dowdle,
Cori Connors
Mandolin and Tin Whistle:
Tom Shults
Hammer Dulcimer: Gael Shults
Violin: Theresa Ellis, Jennifer
Garrett, Cherie Darrohn
Viola: Jaren Angerbauer
Cello: Audrey Terry, Ellen
Bridger, Warren Meuller
Upright bass: Jim Funk
Flute: Kathleen King
Piano and Electric Piano:
Mark Stephenson
Percussion: Todd Sorenson
ARRANGEMENTS
String Orchestrations :
Theresa Ellis
“Little Did I Know”: Michael
Dowdle
“Wise Men Seek Him Still”:
Michael Dowdle
“ You Would Have Loved This”:
Mark Stephenson
“Heavenly Choirs”: Merlynn
Schofield and Mark Stephenson
Recorded by Mark Stephenson
at MAS Studios
Mixed and Mastered by Barry
Gibbons at Platinum Audio Labs, Salt Lake City
Additional Digital Edition
by Kevin Mathie at KM Studios
Graphic Design: Evan Frederickson
Produced by Cori Connors
and Mark Stephenson |
