Songs
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all the musicians who graciously gave their time and talents to bring these songs to a higher level, especially the guys who were with me from the start of this project, my brother Ray Matuza who laid down amazing guitar rhythms and solos, Scott Foley who helped develop the grooves and Chris Crosby who played the perfect bass parts. Thanks to my good friend John Judd who is my favorite blues player and more, Jason Crosby who just kills on everything, Billy Titus the most creative guitar player I know, Quenelle Gaskin(my brother in Christ and Chrispy), who is the best Gospel B3 player on the planet and maybe in Heaven too, Brian Dumont who is surely a rising star on pedal steel guitar, Omar Kabir getting involved from across the Atlantic ocean and playing some funky horn stuff, the beautiful Danielle Kelley and her soulful voice, Pastor David Wright and his choir of voices Sharaya Williams, Beverly Betts, Pearl Machen, Danielle Kelley, Doug Jones and Paul Brimfeld. Last but not least a very special thanks to my great friend Chris (Crispy Chicken) Laybourne who produced, engineered, wrote horn arrangements, developed harmonies etc. and went above and beyond to draw out the best in me.
On a personal note I would like to thank my mother whose prayers have sustained me my whole life, Fr. Thomas DeSimone who has guided me spiritually, my beautiful daughter Bella Rose and her brothers Walter, Jesse and Nico who are my future. A very special deep loving thanks to my wife Anne- Louise the love of my life who inspires me to be the best person I can be. Thank you for your encouragement and continued support throughout this project. I would like to thank St. Theresa of Avilla, St. Therese, St. John of the Cross and St. Benedicta of the cross for their guidance and inspirational words. Thank you to my nephew Andrew Matuza for all of his help with the website and graphic design. And of course God, the source of allwithout whom I could not do anything. I truly believe these songs, like all things in life, are a gift from God who’s only motivation is love.
Players
Mark Matuza: Vocals, Guitar, Slide Guitar Ray Matuza: Guitars, Vocals, Banjo, Mandolin, Nylon String
Scott Foley: Drums, Percussion Chris Crosby: Bass
Jason Crosby: Violin, Keyboards, B3 Quenelle Gaskin: Piano, B3
Billy Titus: Guitar John Judd: Guitar
Brian Dumont: Pedal Steel Guitar Chris Laybourne: Sax, Vocals
Omar Kabir: Trumpet, Trombone
Pastor David Wright Choir : Danielle Kelley, Sharaya Williams, Beverly Betts, Pearl Machen, Doug Jones, Paul Brimfeld
Produced and engineered by Chris (Crispy Chicken) Laybourne at Coop Studios 3453 Ocean ave. Oceanside N.Y. (516) 849-6342.